The Assassin Season 1

  

A sun-soaked Greek getaway turns into a bullet-riddled family reunion in The Assassin, a wildly entertaining spy thriller where secrets are as dangerous as the killers.

Warning: Major spoilers for The Assassin follow.

Pack your bags, grab some sunscreen, and maybe duck for cover. The Assassin looks like a dreamy Greek vacation—until the sniper rifles come out and a deeply awkward mother-son reunion sparks an international manhunt. It’s stylish, ridiculous in the best way, and completely my kind of chaos. So yes, I had thoughts. Here’s my recap and review of AMC+’s latest globe-trotting thrill ride.

The series opens with a pulse-pounding flashback to Bulgaria in 1994, introducing Julie (Keeley Hawes) as a cold, silent, and terrifyingly efficient killer. Fast-forward to the present, and Julie is “retired,” living a prickly, isolated life on a remote Greek island.

Her peace doesn’t last. Her estranged son, Edward (Freddie Highmore), arrives—not for a vacation, but with questions about a mysterious trust fund that threatens to expose Julie’s past. Meanwhile, a new assassination order lands on her doorstep. When she refuses the job, the island erupts into chaos.

A local wedding becomes a massacre. Julie grabs Edward and local butcher Luka (Gerald Kyd), and the three flee. They crash a swanky yacht, only to discover that Edward’s fiancée, Kayla, is aboard—and she’s the same woman Julie was ordered to kill.

Then comes the biggest twist: Edward isn’t Julie’s biological son. He’s the child of a French arms dealer she was hired to assassinate 30 years ago. Instead, she took the baby and raised him as her own. Family drama? Check. International intrigue? Double-check.

The Assassin is a riotous, stylish, and deeply entertaining series that delivers plenty of thrills without losing its playful spirit. Hawes shines, reaffirming her status as the queen of British television. Across six exhilarating episodes, the show rarely lets up, fully embracing the charmingly outrageous style the Williams brothers do so well. It’s a delightful ride for anyone who enjoys a clever blend of action, humor, and flair.

Hawes perfectly captures the essence of a “menopausal James Bond,” delivering sharp wit while effortlessly snapping necks. Highmore is a charming counterpart—nervous, slightly irritated, and hilariously out of his depth. The breathtaking Greek scenery and witty dialogue create an irresistible combination of comedy and action, while the journey through Greece, Albania, and Paris keeps the adventure moving.

However, if you’re looking for a spy drama grounded in reality, this may not be the right fit. Julie’s nearly superhuman abilities might feel a little cheesy to some viewers, and the sudden shifts from family squabbles to intense shootouts can occasionally be jarring.

Overall, I give The Assassin an 8.7/10.

Have you watched The Assassin? What did you think of the series? Now that Edward knows Julie kidnapped him after killing his father, can their relationship survive the truth? Or will the “Lazarus” conspiracy pull them apart forever? Are you hoping for a second season? Share your thoughts in the comments!

You can watch The Assassin on AMC+ and Acorn TV.