The Veil is an American thriller television limited series written by Steven Knight, produced by FX Productions, and starring Elisabeth Moss and Yumna Marwan. The series premiered on FX on Hulu on April 30, 2024.[1]
| The Veil | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Thriller |
| Created by | Steven Knight |
| Written by | Steven Knight |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Jon Opstad |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Cinematography | Bonnie Elliott |
| Editors |
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| Running time | 38–67 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | FX on Hulu |
| Release | April 30 – May 28, 2024 |
Premise
editA thriller series about a potentially deadly game of truth and lies as two women travel from Istanbul to Paris and London, with one of them possessing a secret that the other needs to expose.[2]
Cast
editMain
edit- Elisabeth Moss as Imogen Salter, a veteran MI6 agent with a specialty in undercover work[3][4][5]
- Yumna Marwan as Adilah El Idrissi, a French woman suspected of being an ISIS leader planning an attack on the West[4][5]
- Dali Benssalah as Malik Amar, an agent with French intelligence agency DGSE and Salter's boyfriend[4][5]
- Josh Charles as Max Peterson, an obnoxious CIA agent collaborating with Amar and Salter[4][5]
- Thibault de Montalembert as Magritte, Amar's superior at DGSE[5]
Guest starring
edit- James Purefoy as Sir Michael Althorp, Imogen's mentor[5]
- Dan Wyllie as Guy, Imogen's United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) contact[5]
- Joana Ribeiro as Sandrina, another associate of Imogen, also at UNICRI[5]
- Haluk Bilginer as Mr. Demir
- Alec Secăreanu as Emir
- Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Johnson
- Nadia Larbioune as Nour
- Keyla and Neyla Bara as Yasmina, Nour's niece
- Phill Langhorne
- Aron von Andrian
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date [6] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Camp" | Daina Reid | Steven Knight | April 30, 2024 | |
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Adilah El Idrissi (Yumna Marwan), first seen at a refugee camp, faces imminent danger due to her alleged ties to ISIS. Imogen Salter (Elisabeth Moss), posing as an NGO worker, forms an unexpected alliance with Adilah, aiming to protect her from a mob seeking revenge. Meanwhile, suspicions arise about Imogen's true motives, leading to tension with her UNICRI contact, Guy (Dan Wyllie). As Imogen and Adilah embark on a perilous journey, their backgrounds and motivations come to light, revealing a complex web of personal and political intrigue. Adilah's identity is questioned by French intelligence, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation. | |||||
| 2 | "Crossing the Bridge" | Daina Reid | Steven Knight | April 30, 2024 | |
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At the refugee camp on the Syrian–Turkish border, the U.S. military arrives looking for Adilah. In France, Adilah's daughter gets into some trouble with American intelligence agencies. Imogen and Adilah continue their journey to Istanbul, where Imogen abandons their car and subdues an armed pursuer. They seek help from a man (Haluk Bilginer) to obtain fake passports, while Max Peterson (Josh Charles) informs French intelligence of the Americans' moves. The French and American intelligence agencies are closely monitoring Imogen and Adilah's movements, unsure if Adilah is the real target or an ISIS commander using her identity as a cover. Imogen suspects Adilah may be the wanted terrorist Sabaine Al-Qubaisi. | |||||
| 3 | "The Asset" | Daina Reid | Steven Knight | May 7, 2024 | |
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Imogen and Max are revealed to have a working relationship, collaborating to uncover information about her father's death. Meanwhile, Adilah's part of a larger terrorist plot is brought to light, involving the transport of radioactive material on a ship bound for the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. Imogen and Adilah continue their cat-and-mouse game, with Adilah eventually gaining the upper hand on Imogen. She lets her go in return for Imogen's help in Adilah and her daughter's escape. In the episode, Imogen also meets with Malik Amar (Dali Benssalah), who warns her of being followed and traced by the other intelligence agencies, while being worried about her behavior with her alter egos. | |||||
| 4 | "Declassified" | Damon Thomas | Steven Knight | May 14, 2024 | |
| 5 | "Grandfather's House" | Damon Thomas | Steven Knight | May 21, 2024 | |
| 6 | "The Cottage" | Damon Thomas | Steven Knight | May 28, 2024 | |
Production
editDevelopment
editThe project was announced in August 2022, and marks the fourth series Steven Knight has made with FX Productions. Knight also acts as executive producer. Elisabeth Moss is also executive producer via her Love & Squalor production company for whom Lindsey McManus is also an executive producer. Denise Di Novi and Nina Tassler of PatMa Productions also executive produce.[7][8]
Casting
editElisabeth Moss was confirmed in the lead role in August 2022.[9] Moss has stated that developing an authentic British accent and practicing the action and stunt choreography to make her character believable was more challenging than any previous role. She started learning the accent several months before filming began. [10]
In February 2023, Josh Charles, Dali Benssalah, and Yumna Marwan joined the cast.[11] In March 2023, Haluk Bilginer was added to the cast.[12] The cast also includes Alec Secareanu, Thibault de Montalembert, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, James Purefoy, Joana Ribeiro, Phill Langhorne, Dan Wyllie, Aron von Andrian, and Dali Benssalah.[13]
Filming
editFilming took place in Turkey, which wrapped in March 2023. Other filming locations include Paris and London.[14] Filming took place in Kent, England in May 2023, with locations including Canterbury Cathedral.[15] Whilst filming a stunt in Istanbul, Moss fractured a vertebra in her spine.[16]
Release
editThe series was shown on Hulu in the United States, premiering on April 30, 2024, with a two episode premiere,[1][17] Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ under the Star banner internationally.[18] The show will reportedly consist of six episodes, concluding on May 28, 2024, with episodes being released weekly. [19]
Reception
editThe review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 54% approval rating with an average rating of 5.7/10, based on 35 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Elisabeth Moss' dramatic power remains undiminished with another arresting performance, but The Veil's clunky storytelling doesn't live up to its star's chops."[20] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 52 out of 100 based on 20 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[21]
Aramide Tinubu of Variety praised the series as 'gripping', commending Moss' performance, the action and the pacing.[22] Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times said 'As a spy story, it’s a decent example of its kind, but as a dramatic two-hander, fueled by subtle performances from Moss and Marwan, it’s pretty terrific.'[23] Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone was more mild in his praise, also praising Moss and the action sequences but questioning the balance between spy thriller and psychological drama.[24] Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter complimented the opening and Moss, but felt that ' The Veil first becomes perfunctory — Homeland-lite — before fizzling entirely in its concluding episodes, in which almost none of its twisty reveals hits deeply on either a plot or character level.'[25] Benjamin Lee of The Guardian awarded the first episode one star out of five, dubbing it 'a bafflingly bad time-waster' and criticizing the plot and acting. [26] Saloni Gajjar of The A.V. Club was also harsh, dubbing the series 'boring and aimless'.[27]
References
edit- ^ a b Cordero, Rosy (February 9, 2024). "FX Sets Spring Slate For New & Returning Shows Including 'American Horror Story,' 'Welcome To Wrexham' & 'The Veil'". Deadline. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ Remley, Hilary (August 2, 2022). "Elisabeth Moss to Star in FX's Thriller Series 'The Veil'". Collider. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ Hodges, Jake (March 30, 2023). "'The Veil': Release Date, Cast, Plot, and Everything We Know About Elisabeth Moss' New Series". Collider. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "The Veil Cast and Crew". FX Networks. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Papadopoulos, Charles (April 30, 2024). "The Veil Cast & Character Guide". Screen Rant. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
- ^ "Shows A-Z – The Veil on FX on Hulu". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (August 2, 2022). "Elisabeth Moss to Star in FX Limited Series 'The Veil' From Steven Knight". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (August 2, 2022). "Elisabeth Moss Set To Star In Steven Knight's 'The Veil' Limited Series Ordered By FX For Hulu". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ Porter, Rick (August 2, 2023). "Elisabeth Moss to Star in FX/Hulu Thriller 'The Veil'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "The Veil was more challenging than The Handmaid's Tale, says Elisabeth Moss". RTE. February 10, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (February 2, 2023). "Josh Charles, Dali Benssalah, Yumna Marwan Join Elisabeth Moss in FX Limited Series 'The Veil' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "Türkiye's Haluk Bilginer to star in 'The Veil' with Elisabeth Moss". Daily Sabah. March 21, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ Zilko, Christian (March 21, 2024). "'The Veil' Trailer: Elisabeth Moss Is a Spy with a Secret in Steven Knight's FX Limited Series". Indie Wire. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ Rajput, Priyanca. "Steven Knight's The Veil starring Elisabeth Moss filming in Kent for Hulu". kftv.com. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ Warren, Gerry (May 4, 2023). "Filming for The Veil starring Handmaid's Tale actress Elisabeth Moss to get underway at Canterbury Cathedral". Kentonline. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ Ingram, Hunter (April 24, 2024). "Elisabeth Moss Fractured Her Spine While Filming FX's 'The Veil'". Variety. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
- ^ Haring, Bruce (March 22, 2024). "Spy Thriller Series 'The Veil' Releases Official Trailer, Key Art". Deadline. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
- ^ Haigh, Josh (August 3, 2022). "The Handmaid's Tale star Elisabeth Moss cast in new thriller by Peaky Blinders boss Steven Knight". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ Gajjar, Saloni (February 9, 2024). "FX will launch Elisabeth Moss-led The Veil in April". The A.V. Club. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
- ^ "The Veil: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ "The Veil: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ Tinubu, Aramide (April 30, 2024). "Elisabeth Moss Stuns in FX's Fascinating Spy Thriller 'The Veil': TV Review". Variety. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "Review: Elisabeth Moss stars as a spy gone rogue in FX's thriller 'The Veil'". Los Angeles Times. April 29, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ Sepinwall, Alan (April 30, 2024). "'The Veil' Lets Elisabeth Moss Kick Ass and Take Names. If Only It Gave Her a Real TV Show". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Fienberg, Daniel (April 24, 2024). "'The Veil' Review: Steven Knight's FX/Hulu Thriller Series Can't Keep Up With Star Elisabeth Moss". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ Lee, Benjamin (April 30, 2024). "The Veil review – Elisabeth Moss muddles through creaky spy series". The Guardian. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "The Veil review: A nothingburger disguised as a timely thriller". The A.V. Club. April 24, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.