The Ipcress File: how many episodes are there - and will there be a series 2?

The first season of the spy drama is currently airing on ITV
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The Ipcress File, a spy thriller series based on the Cold War novel by author  Len Deighton, premiered on ITV in March.

The series is also a remake and serialisation of the iconic 1965 film of the same name starring Sir Michael Caine.

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But what is The Ipcress File about, where can you watch it, and has a second series been confirmed?

Here is everything you need to know:

What is The Ipcress File About?

The Ipcress File is a Cold War drama series starring Joe Cole (Peaky Blinders) as Harry Palmer, a reluctant spy who is sent around the world to track down a missing nuclear scientis.

Harry Palmer is joined by CIA agent Maddox, played by Ashley Thomas, and fellow spy Jean Courtney, played by Lucy Boynton.

Over the course of the series, Harry will be tasked with saving Jean’s life, averting a nuclear catastrophe and making peace with his own life.

Some viewers complained about the shows unusual camera anglesSome viewers complained about the shows unusual camera angles
Some viewers complained about the shows unusual camera angles

How has the Ipcress File been received?

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Cole made an admirable transition from stage furniture in Peaky Blinders to leading man in The Ipcress file, but his performance has been weighed unfavourably against that of Sir Michael’s.

The Daily Telegraph said that in an effort to emulate Caine, Cole has “tried to wrestle his voice into something laconic and inscrutable, with a hint of chippy mischief, but ends up sounding like Keith from The Office.”

However, the series held up in the ratings with 3.5 million viewers tuning in for the first episode, matching figures for the second episode of Peaky Blinders which aired at the same time.

One obstacle to many viewers’ enjoyment of the show has proven to be the jaunty camera angles which have left some feeling seasick.

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Many of the scenes are shot from unusual angles, which results in a strange perspective and has prompted some viewers to quit watching.

How can I watch The Ipcress File on TV?

The Ipcress File airs weekly on ITV on Sundays at 9pm.

Episode five, the penultimate episode, will air on 3 April.

Alternatively, all six episodes are available to watch on streaming service BritBox now.

Has The Ipcress File season 2 been confirmed?

A second season of The Ipcress File has not yet been given the green light by ITV.

If a second season is to be made it will likely continue the story of Palmer.

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While season one of The Ipcress File covers the whole of the novel it is based on, Deighton wrote other novels in his Secret File series.

These novels all feature an unnamed spy, who gained the name Harry Palmer in subsequent film and TV spin offs.

The second novel published in this series, Horse Under Water, focuses on a mission to retrieve a forged currency, drugs and an important document from a Second World War era submarine.

There are an additional five novels written by Deighton in the series, so there is scope for several more seasons of The Ipcress File.

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