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'''Adam Henry Carter'''<ref name=bbcprofile>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/spooks/characters/adamcarter.shtml |title=BBC – Spooks – Personnel — Adam Carter |work=BBC.co.uk/spooks |accessdate=5 August 2010}}</ref> is a [[fictional character]] from the [[BBC]] [[espionage]] [[television series]] ''[[Spooks]]'', which follows the exploits of Section D, a [[counter-terrorism]] division in [[MI5]]. He is portrayed by British actor [[Rupert Penry-Jones]]. The character is a former [[MI6]] officer who takes charge as the chief of Section D, and hence the head [[protagonist]] following the departure of [[Tom Quinn (Spooks)|Tom Quinn]] in series three.
'''Adam Henry Carter'''<ref name=bbcprofile>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/spooks/characters/adamcarter.shtml |title=BBC – Spooks – Personnel — Adam Carter |work=BBC.co.uk/spooks |accessdate=5 August 2010}}</ref> is a [[fictional character]] from the [[BBC]] [[espionage]] television series ''[[Spooks]]'', which follows the exploits of Section D, a [[counter-terrorism]] division in [[MI5]]. He is portrayed by British actor [[Rupert Penry-Jones]]. The character is a former [[MI6]] officer who takes charge as the chief of Section D, and hence the head protagonist following the departure of [[Tom Quinn (Spooks)|Tom Quinn]] in series three.


Adam Carter was created with the knowledge that [[Matthew Macfadyen]], who played Tom Quinn, would leave the series. He was created with the intention to be different from Tom, as the producers wanted a character who was a husband with an [[MI6]] background. Rupert Penry-Jones was cast after three auditions. Before the sixth series finale aired, it was announced that Rupert Penry-Jones would leave the series. In the premiere episode of series seven, Carter is killed in a [[car bomb]]. His death was voted the fourth most shocking death in the series. Rupert Penry-Jones was awarded "Best Actor" at the [[Crime Thriller Awards]] for his portrayal of Adam Carter.
Adam Carter was created with the knowledge that [[Matthew Macfadyen]], who played Tom Quinn, would leave the series. He was created with the intention to be different from Tom, as the producers wanted a character who was a husband with an [[MI6]] background. Rupert Penry-Jones was cast after three auditions. Before the sixth series finale aired, it was announced that Rupert Penry-Jones would leave the series. In the premiere episode of series seven, Carter is killed in a car bomb. His death was voted the fourth most shocking death in the series. Rupert Penry-Jones was awarded "Best Actor" at the [[Crime Thriller Awards]] for his portrayal of Adam Carter.


==Role in ''Spooks''==
==Role in ''Spooks''==
Before his first appearance, Adam Carter was an [[MI6]] officer who specialised in the [[Middle East]]. [[Oliver Mace]] ([[Tim McInnerny]]) describes Carter as a "loose cannon".<ref name=ep301>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep17|Project Friendly Fire]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=[[Jonny Campbell]] (director); [[Howard Brenton]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=11 October 2004 |seriesno=3 |number=1}}</ref> He is a fluent [[Arabic language|Arabic]] speaker,<ref name=ep310>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep26|The Suffering of Strangers]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Alrick Riley (director); [[Ben Richards (writer)|Ben Richards]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=13 December 2004 |seriesno=3 |number=10}}</ref> and has good [[counter surveillance]] skills.<ref name=ep303>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep19|Who Guards the Guards?]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits= Cilla Ware (director); Rupert Walters & [[Howard Brenton]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=25 October 2004 |seriesno=3 |number=3}}</ref> In one operation, Adam worked a case in [[Damascus]] to recruit [[Syria]]n intelligence officer Farook Sukkarieh as a [[double agent]] to work with the [[Israel]]is and stop a string of [[suicide attack]]s. He used Farook's wife, [[Fiona Carter|Fiona]] ([[Olga Sosnovska]]) as a way in &ndash; Fiona and Adam subsequently fell in love and started an affair. When Farook discovered this, he had Adam brutally [[torture]]d. After he escaped, Adam framed Farook into making the Syrians believe Farook was a traitor, and was supposedly [[hanging|hanged]] for it.<ref name=ep301/><ref name=ep407>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep33|Syria]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Omar Madha (director); [[Raymond Khoury]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=20 October 2005 |seriesno=4 |number=7}}</ref> Adam subsequently married Fiona and together, they had a son, Wes.<ref name=ep307>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep23|Outsiders]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Bill Anderson (director); [[Raymond Khoury]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=22 November 2004 |seriesno=3 |number=7}}</ref>
Before his first appearance, Adam Carter was an [[MI6]] officer who specialised in the [[Middle East]]. [[Oliver Mace]] ([[Tim McInnerny]]) describes Carter as a "loose cannon".<ref name=ep301>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep17|Project Friendly Fire]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=[[Jonny Campbell]] (director); [[Howard Brenton]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=11 October 2004 |seriesno=3 |number=1}}</ref> He is a fluent [[Arabic language|Arabic]] speaker,<ref name=ep310>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep26|The Suffering of Strangers]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Alrick Riley (director); [[Ben Richards (writer)|Ben Richards]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=13 December 2004 |seriesno=3 |number=10}}</ref> and has good [[counter surveillance]] skills.<ref name=ep303>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep19|Who Guards the Guards?]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits= Cilla Ware (director); Rupert Walters & [[Howard Brenton]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=25 October 2004 |seriesno=3 |number=3}}</ref> In one operation, Adam worked a case in [[Damascus]] to recruit [[Syria]]n intelligence officer Farook Sukkarieh as a [[double agent]] to work with the [[Israel]]is and stop a string of [[suicide attack]]s. He used Farook's wife, [[Fiona Carter|Fiona]] ([[Olga Sosnovska]]) as a way in &ndash; Fiona and Adam subsequently fell in love and started an affair. When Farook discovered this, he had Adam brutally tortured. After he escaped, Adam framed Farook into making the Syrians believe Farook was a traitor, and was supposedly hanged for it.<ref name=ep301/><ref name=ep407>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep33|Syria]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Omar Madha (director); [[Raymond Khoury]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=20 October 2005 |seriesno=4 |number=7}}</ref> Adam subsequently married Fiona and together, they had a son, Wes.<ref name=ep307>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep23|Outsiders]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Bill Anderson (director); [[Raymond Khoury]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=22 November 2004 |seriesno=3 |number=7}}</ref>


Adam first appears in the series three opening episode "[[List of Spooks episodes#ep17|Project Friendly Fire]]", hired by [[Harry Pearce]] ([[Peter Firth]]) to clear [[Tom Quinn (Spooks)|Tom Quinn]] ([[Matthew Macfadyen]]) who was framed with assassinating the [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]. Ultimately Tom is cleared and returns to duty,<ref name=ep301/> only to be decommissioned after sabotaging an operation in the following episode.<ref name=ep302>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep18|The Sleeper]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits= Johnny Campbell (director); [[Howard Brenton]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=18 October 2004 |seriesno=3 |number=2}}</ref> Harry decides to have Adam transferred to MI5 and replace Tom as head of Section D.<ref name=ep303/> In the series four episode "[[List of Spooks episodes#ep33|Syria]]", Adam learns that Farook has [[Faked death|faked his own death]] and kidnaps Fiona during an operation of hers. In the end, Adam guns Farook down, just as Farook fatally shoots Fiona.<ref name=ep407/> Harry later relieves Adam of duty until he receives a [[psychology|psychological evaluation]].<ref name=ep408>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep34|The Russian]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Omar Madha (director); [[Howard Brenton]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=27 October 2005 |seriesno=4 |number=8}}</ref> In the series four finale, he is shot by rogue MI5 officer Angela Wells ([[Lindsay Duncan]]).<ref name=ep410>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep36|Diana]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=[[Julian Simpson]] (director); [[Howard Brenton]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=10 November 2005 |seriesno=4 |number=10}}</ref> After several weeks, Adam makes a complete recovery, and returns to the Grid.<ref name=ep501>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep37|Gas and Oil, Part 1]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Omar Madha (director); [[Ben Richards (writer)|Ben Richards]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=17 September 2006 |seriesno=5 |number=1}}</ref>
Adam first appears in the series three opening episode "[[List of Spooks episodes#ep17|Project Friendly Fire]]", hired by [[Harry Pearce]] ([[Peter Firth]]) to clear [[Tom Quinn (Spooks)|Tom Quinn]] ([[Matthew Macfadyen]]) who was framed with assassinating the [[Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]. Ultimately Tom is cleared and returns to duty,<ref name=ep301/> only to be decommissioned after sabotaging an operation in the following episode.<ref name=ep302>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep18|The Sleeper]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits= Johnny Campbell (director); [[Howard Brenton]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=18 October 2004 |seriesno=3 |number=2}}</ref> Harry decides to have Adam transferred to MI5 and replace Tom as head of Section D.<ref name=ep303/> In the series four episode "[[List of Spooks episodes#ep33|Syria]]", Adam learns that Farook has faked his own death and kidnaps Fiona during an operation of hers. In the end, Adam guns Farook down, just as Farook fatally shoots Fiona.<ref name=ep407/> Harry later relieves Adam of duty until he receives a [[psychology|psychological evaluation]].<ref name=ep408>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep34|The Russian]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Omar Madha (director); [[Howard Brenton]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=27 October 2005 |seriesno=4 |number=8}}</ref> In the series four finale, he is shot by rogue MI5 officer Angela Wells ([[Lindsay Duncan]]).<ref name=ep410>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep36|Diana]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=[[Julian Simpson]] (director); [[Howard Brenton]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=10 November 2005 |seriesno=4 |number=10}}</ref> After several weeks, Adam makes a complete recovery, and returns to the Grid.<ref name=ep501>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep37|Gas and Oil, Part 1]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Omar Madha (director); [[Ben Richards (writer)|Ben Richards]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=17 September 2006 |seriesno=5 |number=1}}</ref>


Following his recovery Adam hires a [[nanny]], Jenny ([[Gugu Mbatha-Raw]]), to look after Wes while he takes part in operations.<ref name=ep501/> Midway through the fifth series, she and Adam start a brief love affair,<ref name=ep506>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep42|Hostage Takers, Part 1]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Andy Hay (director); [[Raymond Khoury]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=16 October 2006 |seriesno=5 |number=6}}</ref> which ends in the penultimate episode.<ref name=ep509>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep45|The Criminal]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Julian Holmes (director); [[Neil Cross]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=6 November 2006 |seriesno=5 |number=9}}</ref> In the fifth series, particularly in later episodes, Adam suffers from several mental breakdowns following the loss of Fiona. Such episodes include recurring [[nightmare]]s involving Adam getting wounded and unable to return home to his son,<ref name=ep506/> and in the eighth episode, he has a [[panic attack]] when he hears Wes briefly ran away from home; this jeapodardises his life during an operation.<ref name=ep508>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep44|Agenda]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=[[Julian Simpson]] (director); [[Julian Simpson]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=30 October 2006 |seriesno=5 |number=8}}</ref> In the series finale, Adam is revealed to be [[suicide|suicidally]] [[Depression (mood)|depressed]], and wishes he had died in Fiona's place. After another breakdown, Adam is able to pull through, save fellow officer [[Ros Myers]] ([[Hermione Norris]]) and escape from the [[Thames Barrier]] before they both [[drowning|drown]].<ref name=ep510>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep46|Aftermath]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Julian Holmes (director); [[David Farr]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=13 November 2006 |seriesno=5 |number=10}}</ref>
Following his recovery Adam hires a nanny, Jenny ([[Gugu Mbatha-Raw]]), to look after Wes while he takes part in operations.<ref name=ep501/> Midway through the fifth series, she and Adam start a brief love affair,<ref name=ep506>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep42|Hostage Takers, Part 1]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Andy Hay (director); [[Raymond Khoury]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=16 October 2006 |seriesno=5 |number=6}}</ref> which ends in the penultimate episode.<ref name=ep509>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep45|The Criminal]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Julian Holmes (director); [[Neil Cross]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=6 November 2006 |seriesno=5 |number=9}}</ref> In the fifth series, particularly in later episodes, Adam suffers from several mental breakdowns following the loss of Fiona. Such episodes include recurring nightmares involving Adam getting wounded and unable to return home to his son,<ref name=ep506/> and in the eighth episode, he has a [[panic attack]] when he hears Wes briefly ran away from home; this jeapodardises his life during an operation.<ref name=ep508>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep44|Agenda]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=[[Julian Simpson]] (director); [[Julian Simpson]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=30 October 2006 |seriesno=5 |number=8}}</ref> In the series finale, Adam is revealed to be suicidally depressed, and wishes he had died in Fiona's place. After another breakdown, Adam is able to pull through, save fellow officer [[Ros Myers]] ([[Hermione Norris]]) and escape from the [[Thames Barrier]] before they both [[drowning|drown]].<ref name=ep510>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep46|Aftermath]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Julian Holmes (director); [[David Farr]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=13 November 2006 |seriesno=5 |number=10}}</ref>


In the sixth series, Adam overcomes his mental breakdowns through [[psychiatry|psychiactric councelling]]. He has an affair with Ana Bakhshi (Agni Scott), wife of [[Iran]]ian Special Consul Dariush Bakhshi,<ref name=ep601>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep47|The Virus, Part 1]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Omar Madha (director); [[Neil Cross]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=16 October 2007 |seriesno=6 |number=1}}</ref> who later ends up [[pregnancy|pregnant]]; whether Adam or Dariush is the father has never been resolved.<ref name=ep607>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep53|Broadcast]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Stefan Schwartz (director); [[David Farr]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=27 November 2007 |seriesno=6 |number=7}}</ref> Halfway through the series, Adam is wanted for murdering a [[mugger]], who is revealed to be a journalist. Adam learns that it was in fact a mugger, and that the Iranians covered this up to prevent him from stopping a deal that would have allowed Iran to become a nuclear power.<ref name=ep605>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep51|The Deal]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Brendan Maher (director); Zinnie Harris (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=13 November 2007 |seriesno=6 |number=5}}</ref> He later has a brief affair with Ros,<ref name=ep607/> until he fakes her death when she is exposed as an operative of shadow organisation "Yalta."<ref name=ep608>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep54|Infiltration]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Stefan Schwartz (director); [[Neil Cross]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=4 December 2007 |seriesno=6 |number=8}}</ref> In the first episode of the seventh series, Adam works with newly-returned officer [[Lucas North]] ([[Richard Armitage (actor)|Richard Armitage]]) to rescue a kidnapped British soldier in [[London]]. Later, Adam discovers that an [[Al-Qaeda]] operative has planted a [[car bomb]] on a [[Remembrance Sunday]] ceremony. Adam is able to drive the car to an unpopulated zone; it explodes just as he exits the car, killing him.<ref name=ep701>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep57|New Allegiances]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Colm McCarthy (director); [[Ben Richards (writer)|Ben Richards]] & [[Neil Cross]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=27 October 2008 |seriesno=7 |number=1}}</ref> It is later revealed that [[Federal Security Service (Russia)|FSB]] head-of-operations in London, Arkady Kachimov withheld the bomb plot; Harry kills him in [[revenge]]. Ros Myers succeeds Adam as section chief.<ref name=ep702>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep58|Split Loyalties]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Colm McCarthy (director); [[Ben Richards (writer)|Ben Richards]] & [[Neil Cross]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=28 October 2008 |seriesno=7 |number=2}}</ref>
In the sixth series, Adam overcomes his mental breakdowns through [[psychiatry|psychiactric councelling]]. He has an affair with Ana Bakhshi (Agni Scott), wife of [[Iran]]ian Special Consul Dariush Bakhshi,<ref name=ep601>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep47|The Virus, Part 1]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Omar Madha (director); [[Neil Cross]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=16 October 2007 |seriesno=6 |number=1}}</ref> who later ends up pregnant; whether Adam or Dariush is the father has never been resolved.<ref name=ep607>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep53|Broadcast]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Stefan Schwartz (director); [[David Farr]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=27 November 2007 |seriesno=6 |number=7}}</ref> Halfway through the series, Adam is wanted for murdering a [[mugger]], who is revealed to be a journalist. Adam learns that it was in fact a mugger, and that the Iranians covered this up to prevent him from stopping a deal that would have allowed Iran to become a nuclear power.<ref name=ep605>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep51|The Deal]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Brendan Maher (director); Zinnie Harris (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=13 November 2007 |seriesno=6 |number=5}}</ref> He later has a brief affair with Ros,<ref name=ep607/> until he fakes her death when she is exposed as an operative of shadow organisation "Yalta."<ref name=ep608>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep54|Infiltration]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Stefan Schwartz (director); [[Neil Cross]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=4 December 2007 |seriesno=6 |number=8}}</ref> In the first episode of the seventh series, Adam works with newly-returned officer [[Lucas North]] ([[Richard Armitage (actor)|Richard Armitage]]) to rescue a kidnapped British soldier in [[London]]. Later, Adam discovers that an [[Al-Qaeda]] operative has planted a [[car bomb]] on a [[Remembrance Sunday]] ceremony. Adam is able to drive the car to an unpopulated zone; it explodes just as he exits the car, killing him.<ref name=ep701>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep57|New Allegiances]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Colm McCarthy (director); [[Ben Richards (writer)|Ben Richards]] & [[Neil Cross]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=27 October 2008 |seriesno=7 |number=1}}</ref> It is later revealed that [[Federal Security Service (Russia)|FSB]] head-of-operations in London, Arkady Kachimov withheld the bomb plot; Harry kills him in revenge. Ros Myers succeeds Adam as section chief.<ref name=ep702>{{cite episode |title=[[List of Spooks episodes#ep58|Split Loyalties]] |series=[[Spooks]] |credits=Colm McCarthy (director); [[Ben Richards (writer)|Ben Richards]] & [[Neil Cross]] (writer) |network=[[BBC]] |station=[[BBC One]] |airdate=28 October 2008 |seriesno=7 |number=2}}</ref>


==Conceptual history==
==Conceptual history==

Revision as of 04:27, 28 December 2010

Adam Carter
Spooks character
Rupert Penry-Jones as Adam Carter
First appearance"Project Friendly Fire"
Last appearance"New Allegiances"
Portrayed byRupert Penry-Jones
In-universe information
AliasTed Baxter[1]
Luke Chivers[2]
Ami Tlass[3]
Roger Thornhill[4]
Nick Harding[4]
GenderMale
TitleChief of Section D
OccupationMI5 officer
SpouseFiona Carter (deceased)
ChildrenWes Carter (son)
NationalityEnglish

Adam Henry Carter[5] is a fictional character from the BBC espionage television series Spooks, which follows the exploits of Section D, a counter-terrorism division in MI5. He is portrayed by British actor Rupert Penry-Jones. The character is a former MI6 officer who takes charge as the chief of Section D, and hence the head protagonist following the departure of Tom Quinn in series three.

Adam Carter was created with the knowledge that Matthew Macfadyen, who played Tom Quinn, would leave the series. He was created with the intention to be different from Tom, as the producers wanted a character who was a husband with an MI6 background. Rupert Penry-Jones was cast after three auditions. Before the sixth series finale aired, it was announced that Rupert Penry-Jones would leave the series. In the premiere episode of series seven, Carter is killed in a car bomb. His death was voted the fourth most shocking death in the series. Rupert Penry-Jones was awarded "Best Actor" at the Crime Thriller Awards for his portrayal of Adam Carter.

Role in Spooks

Before his first appearance, Adam Carter was an MI6 officer who specialised in the Middle East. Oliver Mace (Tim McInnerny) describes Carter as a "loose cannon".[6] He is a fluent Arabic speaker,[7] and has good counter surveillance skills.[8] In one operation, Adam worked a case in Damascus to recruit Syrian intelligence officer Farook Sukkarieh as a double agent to work with the Israelis and stop a string of suicide attacks. He used Farook's wife, Fiona (Olga Sosnovska) as a way in – Fiona and Adam subsequently fell in love and started an affair. When Farook discovered this, he had Adam brutally tortured. After he escaped, Adam framed Farook into making the Syrians believe Farook was a traitor, and was supposedly hanged for it.[6][9] Adam subsequently married Fiona and together, they had a son, Wes.[1]

Adam first appears in the series three opening episode "Project Friendly Fire", hired by Harry Pearce (Peter Firth) to clear Tom Quinn (Matthew Macfadyen) who was framed with assassinating the Chief of the Defence Staff. Ultimately Tom is cleared and returns to duty,[6] only to be decommissioned after sabotaging an operation in the following episode.[10] Harry decides to have Adam transferred to MI5 and replace Tom as head of Section D.[8] In the series four episode "Syria", Adam learns that Farook has faked his own death and kidnaps Fiona during an operation of hers. In the end, Adam guns Farook down, just as Farook fatally shoots Fiona.[9] Harry later relieves Adam of duty until he receives a psychological evaluation.[11] In the series four finale, he is shot by rogue MI5 officer Angela Wells (Lindsay Duncan).[12] After several weeks, Adam makes a complete recovery, and returns to the Grid.[13]

Following his recovery Adam hires a nanny, Jenny (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), to look after Wes while he takes part in operations.[13] Midway through the fifth series, she and Adam start a brief love affair,[14] which ends in the penultimate episode.[15] In the fifth series, particularly in later episodes, Adam suffers from several mental breakdowns following the loss of Fiona. Such episodes include recurring nightmares involving Adam getting wounded and unable to return home to his son,[14] and in the eighth episode, he has a panic attack when he hears Wes briefly ran away from home; this jeapodardises his life during an operation.[16] In the series finale, Adam is revealed to be suicidally depressed, and wishes he had died in Fiona's place. After another breakdown, Adam is able to pull through, save fellow officer Ros Myers (Hermione Norris) and escape from the Thames Barrier before they both drown.[17]

In the sixth series, Adam overcomes his mental breakdowns through psychiactric councelling. He has an affair with Ana Bakhshi (Agni Scott), wife of Iranian Special Consul Dariush Bakhshi,[18] who later ends up pregnant; whether Adam or Dariush is the father has never been resolved.[19] Halfway through the series, Adam is wanted for murdering a mugger, who is revealed to be a journalist. Adam learns that it was in fact a mugger, and that the Iranians covered this up to prevent him from stopping a deal that would have allowed Iran to become a nuclear power.[20] He later has a brief affair with Ros,[19] until he fakes her death when she is exposed as an operative of shadow organisation "Yalta."[21] In the first episode of the seventh series, Adam works with newly-returned officer Lucas North (Richard Armitage) to rescue a kidnapped British soldier in London. Later, Adam discovers that an Al-Qaeda operative has planted a car bomb on a Remembrance Sunday ceremony. Adam is able to drive the car to an unpopulated zone; it explodes just as he exits the car, killing him.[22] It is later revealed that FSB head-of-operations in London, Arkady Kachimov withheld the bomb plot; Harry kills him in revenge. Ros Myers succeeds Adam as section chief.[23]

Conceptual history

It took the producers months to choose Rupert Penry-Jones as Adam Carter.

The producers were aware that Matthew Macfadyen would leave the series after playing Tom Quinn for two years, and they did not know whether he would return for the first two episodes. An eight to nine-member team came up with the new character of Adam Carter.[24] They wanted Adam to have a different dynamic to Tom; the producers set up a girlfriend/boyfriend storyline in the first series – with Adam, they wanted him to have a wife (Fiona Carter) who works in the Security Service, since married couples working in that environment are common.[24] They wanted Adam to be more animated and energetic than Tom.[25] Writer Howard Brenton wanted him to have an MI6 background, and have something awful happen to him in the past. Brenton invented the backstory of Syria early on into the third series, which he wanted to revisit in the fourth series.[25]

Early on in the development process, the producers wanted to cast a "brilliant actor" with a strong screen presence. They discussed casting Rupert Penry-Jones for the role of Adam Carter early in the process, though it took months to finally decide to cast him.[24] Though Penry-Jones was aware of Spooks and its success, he had never seen any episodes. To be interested in the role, he spent a weekend catching up on the entire first and second series. He did not take long to decide, since his last leading role was four years previously, in 2000 in the Channel 4 drama North Square.[24] Adam was originally meant to be older, and more "street." When he found acting "street" was too difficult, Penry-Jones acted more like himself.[25] He had to audition three times before the producers included him, four months before filming commenced.[26]

On his first day for filming series three, Penry-Jones participated in a fight scene in the middle of the first episode.[27] He felt a little weary replacing Matthew Macfadyen. After two months of filming, Penry-Jones began to feel more at ease with the role.[26] He felt especially so after he started working for the fourth series.[28] He returned to the fourth series because he thought his character took off by the end of the last series, and wanted to see which direction he would go to next. The crew wanted Adam to go from a "happy-go-lucky" figure to wanting him to deal with things that would make it hard for Adam to be jokey towards the end of the fourth series; this involved Fiona's death.[29]

Before the sixth series finale aired in December 2007, it was announced that Rupert Penry-Jones would leave the series sometime in series seven.[30] Penry-Jones wanted to leave the series as he felt the character had run its course, as well as wanting to explore other venues. He also stated that working in Spooks was "great," but felt he was "getting to the point where I needed to move on."[31] Before the seventh series aired, Penry-Jones revealed his character would leave in what he believed was "one of the best" Spooks exits.[32] He found that his last days on Spooks was generally upsetting and "welled up" on his final day.[33] Penry-Jones did not envisage lasting as long as he did, because he believed the series would not last as long as it has.[32]

Reception

It did take a while for the fans to accept me. I read the blogs, for my sins, and they weren't happy about it.

— Rupert Penry-Jones, on the initial fan reaction towards the character[34]

Rupert Penry-Jones noted that the initial fan reaction towards Adam Carter were negative, "because Matthew [Macfadyen] was so successful and loved." It took a while for fans to accept him.[34] Penry-Jones also felt that his role in Spooks, "definitely took my profile up several notches."[35] In the "best of drama" viewer polls at BBC Online, Penry-Jones was voted third in the "Best Actor" category, beating co-stars Matthew Macfadyen, who was fifth, David Oyelowo, who was seventh, and Peter Firth, who was tenth.[36] He was later voted fifth in 2005,[37] and ninth in 2006.[38]

In a DVD review of the third series of Spooks, Michael Mackenzie of Home Cinema had mixed views of Adam's introduction, stating "despite ardent protests from both cast and crew, Tom and Adam are almost exactly the same character."[39] In the fifth series, Mackenzie felt more open towards Adam, stating Adam Carter "isn't exactly James Bond [...] he doesn't jet around the world, bedding multiple women and engaging in fisticuffs atop precarious construction rigs, but he does rush around London with a gun in his hand and occasionally ends up on the receiving end of the odd beating."[40] David Blackwell of Enterline Media was receptive of Adam in the fourth series, as he felt Adam became "more fleshed out and interesting."[41] However, Blackwell was critical of Adam's role in the following fifth series, stating it is "too much" about him.[42]

Fans and critics alike displayed shock towards the character's death in the first episode of the seventh series. Fans voted Adam's death as the fourth most shocking death scene in the series.[43] The Radio Times stated the shock factor of his death was "spectacular" and said that "driving a primed car bomb to a safe place is so run-of-the-mill for the spooks they wouldn't normally break a sweat. This time, however, it went off.[44] Me-Me-Me.tv has said that Adam's death was "bound to happen" and stated "just when we've formed a deep, meaningful and totally healthy relationship with the lead gentleman [...] they go and blow him up", adding "It's just not fair."[45] The Times's Hilary Rose noted that fans will remember Adam's "dramatic exit," and said that "the nation's women duly went into mourning," regarding that "pretty much every woman with a pulse seems to fancy Rupert." She then noted that some would find "consolation in the shape of new Spooks totty Richard Armitage."[34]

In 2008, Rupert Penry-Jones won a Crime Thriller Award for "Best Actor" for his portrayal as Adam Carter.[5] Penry-Jones won the award against Ashes to Ashes' Philip Glenister, Midnight Man and Murphy's Law's James Nesbitt, The Wire' Dominic West, and Criminal Justice' Ben Whishaw. In the same ceremony, co-star Hermione Norris won "Best Actress".[46]

References

  1. ^ a b Bill Anderson (director); Raymond Khoury (writer) (22 November 2004). "Outsiders". Spooks. Episode 7. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Alrick Riley (director); Ben Richards (writer) (22 September 2005). "Divided They Fall". Spooks. Episode 3. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Alrick Riley (director); Howard Brenton (writer) (22 September 2005). "Divided They Fall". Spooks. Episode 4. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b Jeremy Lovering (director); Raymond Khoury (writer) (6 October 2005). "The Book". Spooks. Episode 5. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b "BBC – Spooks – Personnel — Adam Carter". BBC.co.uk/spooks. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  6. ^ a b c Jonny Campbell (director); Howard Brenton (writer) (11 October 2004). "Project Friendly Fire". Spooks. Episode 1. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Alrick Riley (director); Ben Richards (writer) (13 December 2004). "The Suffering of Strangers". Spooks. Episode 10. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ a b Cilla Ware (director); Rupert Walters & Howard Brenton (writer) (25 October 2004). "Who Guards the Guards?". Spooks. Episode 3. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ a b Omar Madha (director); Raymond Khoury (writer) (20 October 2005). "Syria". Spooks. Episode 7. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Johnny Campbell (director); Howard Brenton (writer) (18 October 2004). "The Sleeper". Spooks. Episode 2. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Omar Madha (director); Howard Brenton (writer) (27 October 2005). "The Russian". Spooks. Episode 8. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Julian Simpson (director); Howard Brenton (writer) (10 November 2005). "Diana". Spooks. Episode 10. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ a b Omar Madha (director); Ben Richards (writer) (17 September 2006). "Gas and Oil, Part 1". Spooks. Episode 1. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ a b Andy Hay (director); Raymond Khoury (writer) (16 October 2006). "Hostage Takers, Part 1". Spooks. Episode 6. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ Julian Holmes (director); Neil Cross (writer) (6 November 2006). "The Criminal". Spooks. Episode 9. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Julian Simpson (director); Julian Simpson (writer) (30 October 2006). "Agenda". Spooks. Episode 8. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Julian Holmes (director); David Farr (writer) (13 November 2006). "Aftermath". Spooks. Episode 10. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ Omar Madha (director); Neil Cross (writer) (16 October 2007). "The Virus, Part 1". Spooks. Episode 1. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ a b Stefan Schwartz (director); David Farr (writer) (27 November 2007). "Broadcast". Spooks. Episode 7. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Brendan Maher (director); Zinnie Harris (writer) (13 November 2007). "The Deal". Spooks. Episode 5. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Stefan Schwartz (director); Neil Cross (writer) (4 December 2007). "Infiltration". Spooks. Episode 8. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ Colm McCarthy (director); Ben Richards & Neil Cross (writer) (27 October 2008). "New Allegiances". Spooks. Episode 1. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ Colm McCarthy (director); Ben Richards & Neil Cross (writer) (28 October 2008). "Split Loyalties". Spooks. Episode 2. BBC. BBC One. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |seriesno= ignored (|series-number= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ a b c d Collins, Simon Crawford; Featherstone, Jane; Penry-Jones, Rupert (2005). Rupert Penry-Jones (Spooks DVD (Series 3) Disc 2). Contender Entertainment Group.
  25. ^ a b c Brenton, Howard; Penhale, Faith; Penry-Jones, Rupert (2005). Adam Carter (Spooks DVD (Series 3) Disc 2). Contender Entertainment Group.
  26. ^ a b Penry-Jones, Rupert (2005). Hellos and Goodbyes (Spooks DVD (Series 3) Disc 5). Contender Entertainment Group.
  27. ^ Penry-Jones, Rupert (2005). Episode 3.1 (Spooks DVD (Series 3) Disc 1). Contender Entertainment Group.
  28. ^ Penry-Jones, Rupert (2005). Series 4 (Spooks DVD (Series 3) Disc 5). Contender Entertainment Group.
  29. ^ Penry-Jones, Rupert (2006). An Elusive Peace – Series 4 Documentary (Spooks DVD (Series 4) Disc 1). Contender Entertainment Group.
  30. ^ "Explosive end is nigh for Spooks spy Rupert". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. 14 December 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  31. ^ "Interview: Rupert Penry-Jones". Sky TV. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  32. ^ a b Hirons, Paul (9 October 2008). "Coming soon... Spooks, series seven and Rupert Penry-Jones interview". TV Scoop. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  33. ^ Oglethorpe, Tom (27 December 2008). "Former Spooks star Rupert Penry-Jones returns to action in new version of 39 Steps". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  34. ^ a b c Rose, Hilary (13 December 2008). "Rupert Penry-Jones on Spooks, vanity and family". The Times Online. News Corporation. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  35. ^ Lockyer, Daphne (5 March 2007). "Watch out, Darcy, a new torso is in town". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  36. ^ "BBC – Drama – Best of 2004 – Best Actor". BBC Online. BBC. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  37. ^ "BBC – Drama – Best of 2005 – Best Actor". BBC Online. BBC. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  38. ^ "BBC – Drama – Best of 2006 – Best Actor". BBC Online. BBC. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
  39. ^ Mackenzie, Michael (27 September 2005). "Spooks: Season Three (2006); Region 2 DVD Video Review". Home Cinema. The Digital Fix. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  40. ^ Mackenzie, Michael (4 September 2007). "Spooks: Season 5 (2006); Region 2 DVD Video Review". Home Cinema. The Digital Fix. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  41. ^ Blackwell, David. "MI-5/ SPOOKS Season 4 review". Enterline Media. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  42. ^ Blackwell, David. "TV review: SPOOKS/ MI-5 season 5 Part 1". Enterline Media. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  43. ^ "Spooks – Most Shocking Death Scene". LastBroadcast. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  44. ^ Brook, Stephen (2010). "Death duty". Radio Times. BBC Magazines: Pages 14–15. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  45. ^ "Spooks-ness R.I.P. Adam Carter". Me-Me-Me.tv. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
  46. ^ "The Winners of ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards". In2Town. Retrieved 4 August 2010.

External links

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Adam_Carter&action=historysubmit&diff=404581390&oldid=404578054