Secret City (2016–2019) User Reviews (113)

Continuing the high standard of the Originals

[tm-sheehan · 8/10 · 1 August 2019]

My Review- Secret City 8:10

Right from beginning the impressive title credits , which I think not by accident reminded me of House of Cards I was hooked . The camera sweeps over our National Capital Canberra to a suspenseful dramatic soundtrack by composer David Bridie and gives the impression that there's a Political swamp needing to be drained under its impressive monuments.

Watching Anna Torv as Ace Canberra news reporter and main star Harriet Dunkley I was struck by her resemblance and style ,so similar to Cate Blanchette , Anna Torv owns this role and continues to impress in her role as investigative journalist Harriet Dunkley.

Jackie Weaver is outstanding as usual in the role of Catriona Bailey the Attorney General and powerbroker in a role spookily reminiscent of a certain ex Policeman and now one of the most powerful ministers this country has ever known. The thrilling action and intrigue in Secret City can hold its own worldwide and is a worthy match for similar overseas series like House of Cards .

Series 2 Under the Eagle I've just started to watch on Foxtel and although under new direction seems to keep up the standard so far.

Amusingly it begins with a brand new charismatic Prime Minister Ewan Garrity 2 years later replacing Alan Dale as Prime Minister Martin Toohey in Series One .

Logie Award winning actor Don Hany (Ali's Wedding, Tangle) plays new Australian Prime Minister Ewan Garrity. This seemed very appropriate as Australia has had so many Prime Ministers recently and this series also has a Jacque Lambi inspired character in Danielle Cormack as Karen Koutoufides, Independent MP for Wakefield, South Australia.

This is a really impressive series

A good solid political thriller which feels very relevant today

[azanti0029 · 8/10 · 12 June 2019]

Secret City is the kind of drama that the has the feel of the old school House of Cards but with a modern veneer. Set predominantly in the capital of Canberra, among rising tensions between the Australian and Chinese Governments a determined and stubborn reporter, Harriet Dunkley searches for the truth when a friend is murdered. In the process she stumbles on a complex plot involving the highest level of her own Government and with multiple factions involved.

Secret City is a well thought out complex drama, the type of which can be all too rare on television. With a stellar cast of some of Australia's finest actors its a superb show with first rate performances, characterisation and script writing. The legendary Jacki Weaver brings her appropriate feisty talents to a scheming senator with her fingers in more than one pie up while Underbelly veteran Dan Wyllie plays the politician trying to do the one thing while people come at him from all sides. The supporting cast are more fun to watch than the lead, played by Anna Tov. (Stubborn journo's not exactly being characters we haven't seen a dozen times before) The plot twists and turns and covers more than one contemporary issue which makes it all the more relevant today. Its got high production values and the core story travels well overseas making it have a far greater international appeal than many other series from down under. For those who like their political dramas, what it lacks in the dark comical tones of the spacey version of House of Cards, it more than makes up for with high wound tension and three dimensional characters, for the most part at least. Recommended.

Decent series

[TwoCrude · 7/10 · 14 August 2018]

I enjoyed this show's first season, for the most part. Anna Torv's performance was well delivered. Political machinations in Canberra are an interesting aspect of the show. The writers dropped the ball on a few occasions (one or two of them were fairly ridiculous), but the show was better than many of its type. I am looking forward to season 2.

Another reviewer wrote this about the show: "...a Conservative leader WAS ELECTED president, Hollywood rebellion is in full force. Every series with a white male lead has been reworked, re 'imagined' essentially turned into the politically CLICHE crap that THIS series is. It's an obvious pattern when everything on the air is either reworked or cancelled to fit one steady story arc / idealistic frame in the writing, casting, and roles for the actors. This is the opposite of equality. This is the start of a culture war. And much like the 2016, liberals are going to LOSE--and then CRY."

There is so much going terribly wrong in those few lines, it's difficult to know where to begin.

First, this show is Australian. Sadly, it is not a surprise that an American felt the need to superimpose his American rantings on a review of a show made in another country. What does Trump have to do with an Australian television show?

Second, I am all but certain that the network had no plans for "Harry Dunkley". The show features Ms. Torv as its protagonist. As Maggie Q was the lead on Nikita, and Tea Leoni is the lead on Madam Secretary (not to mention Ms. Torv on Fringe).

Third, "everything on the air" is being cancelled or reworked. Overstatement is the frequent refuge of polemicists, but this assertion is beneath contempt. I am certain that it would be news to Mark Harmon, Jim Parsons, Michael Weatherly, Tom Selleck, Scott Bakula, Alex O'Laughlin, David Boreanaz and so many other male leads on successful shows that their programs are being cancelled/reworked.

Last, this reviewer spews his inarticulate, inaccurate political bile for several lines; but, all the while, mentioning absolutely nothing about the actual show. I doubt he finished more than one episode.

Why haven't you watched this already?

[jitarth · 10/10 · 22 June 2016]

I'll be honest, I went into this not expecting much. No scratch that, I was expecting to be disappointed, another thinly veiled attempt at recreating a style of show best left to others. I was wrong, oh so wrong. Secret City is a nuanced, understated and never clichéd blend of political intrigue and personal demons with a satisfyingly Australian flavour. It eschews the over the top melodramatic candy that would've been so easy to stuff down the throats of viewers in an attempt to keep them satiated in favour of a slower, more tantalising meal built layer upon layer leaving the viewer oh so much more satisfied by the end.

It's not just the political intrigue that keeps you on the hook, refreshingly up to date and relevant, mirroring the current position Australia finds itself, historically aligned with the U.S. whilst looking to China to boost trade and economic activity. But the complete multi-faceted nature of the characters. Their motivations are understandable and sympathetic and oftentimes it's their less likable qualities that push and motivate them into traditional protagonist actions.

The portrayal of intelligence gathering and cyber-security is spot on, Secret City even highlights the ability of agencies to use mobile phones as listening and tracking devices even while they're off, an idea that has yet to permeate the public consciousness despite the overwhelming evidence that this is happening in our own world. But herein lies the strength of Secret City, it's not fiction, it's real. Most of what it portrays is not far off from what is happening within the underbelly of Canberra right here and now. Against this backdrop of reality, it sets up an engaging and thoughtful story with a slew of disconcertingly empathetic characters.

Just shut up and watch it already.

Excellent Characters and Story

[mjpersson-05208 · 9/10 · 9 July 2018]

I'm an American who resides in Arizona, but have found such a connection to the excellent acting and portrayals that Australian and British programming provides. This program is no exception. The characters are indeed excellent and the actors are so believable against the backdrop of a properly paced thriller, that is not engulfed in over the top special effects.

VERY GOOD

[sunildaswaney-63642 · 7/10 · 31 March 2021]

The first season of this espionage based thriller was excellent,but the 2nd season was not as good.

Nevertheless a very good series to watch.

Fantastic Hidden Gem

[samanthacato · 9/10 · 29 June 2018]

I know other reviewers have slated the pace and some of the quirky sub-plots but I really enjoyed this. If not for Netflix, I would never have heard of it. I'm a Brit but there were so many recognisable Australian faces. Great actors. You don't have to overthink it. Yes, it is another Government conspiracy plot but just go with the flow. If it's not your bag, it doesn't mean that it was badly made. Just take it off and watch something else. Some of us actually liked it. I hope Season 2 will be just as good, if not, better.

good political thriller

[linda-plant2 · 6/10 · 1 November 2021]

Enjoyable binge watch. BUT is Canberra totally uninhabited ? It is absolutely totally devoid of people in outside and many internal shots. Underground car parks - deserted, promenade runs - deserted, steps of public buildings - deserted, public gardens - deserted, local neighbourhood housing - deserted, walkways within public buildings - deserted. Uncannily 'spooky'.

Wonderful

[drjgardner · 9/10 · 8 January 2021]

This series has wonderful acting, great locations, and a deliciously complicated script that may put off some people. What may be best about the series is that you can never tell when a major character is going to be bumped off, or who did it. That's so unusual on TV (or in films) that a writer and cast brave enough to do this has to be saluted. It's also great that they were able to come up with two very different scripts for the two seasons. They both involve the reporter as the central character and there are a few hold-overs, but the scripts are very different making the show even more entertaining. I can only hope they have a third season. This type of quality TV is very rare.

Good but at times a stretch

[efd-10467 · 7/10 · 8 April 2019]

The series takes a bit from House of Cards and a bit from John Le Carre and overall is interesting. At times though the plot jumps to keep the story moving along, the main character Harriet keeps having these moments of clarity or understanding a little too often, also at times too many bad guys, if everyone was this corrupt and secretive the country would cease operating at a very basic level. You start to assume everyone is a liar apart from Harriet and they are, it is a bit predictable, but fun.

One of the best

[radursm · 10/10 · 2 August 2016]

If you expect political intrigue as in "House of Cards", treason, espionage, as in "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy", dark hints on the geopolitical evolution of the world (USA, China, and the rest of the world), then this is the show to watch. Ah, and a it has the realism that is somewhat lacking (lately) in "Homeland". Also, it has some intellectual references, as well, which is rarely seen in the nowadays cinema (be it TV, even!). A good cast. Anna Torv is convincing, and her complex character reminds me of Claire Dane's "Carrie Mathison". Even smaller roles are played wonderfully by each of the actors.

As it happens, I've recently seen some new Australian movies and now, this show. And all I can say is: Bravo!. I am grateful to all the Australian cinema.

I just hope the show will continue with (at least) one more season. We, the public, deserve it!

Pretty Good

[melissamarshall-38133 · 7/10 · 12 July 2018]

This is a pretty good spy thriller and Anna Torv is excellent in it. I do wish they had cast a transgendered woman as the transgendered character and not made her story quite so cliched. I know this is a few years old so the memo about Trans casting hadn't arrived down under, but someone like Jamie Clayton would have nailed the character of Kim.

Still, I will probably watch the second season on the strength of Anna Torv's work here. It's also fun as an American to watch a spy thriller that centers around Austrailia and China rather than the UK or Russia and the US.

Cell City or the code Season 3?

[emuir-1 · 5/10 · 25 July 2018]

As most of the action seemed to involve cell phones, SIM cards and computers, this series should have been called Cell CIty. I found the plot very confusing and was not really sure who was who by the end reveal. I also found the inclusion of the ex husband who had turned into a woman very odd. There was simply no reason for the transgender character who was so obviously a man that I found him distracting.

I lived and worked for the Commonwealth Government in Canberra for many years, which is why I watched the series, but the Canberra I knew was nothing like the one shown in the series. Either the times have changed greatly or I was totally blind. As for the main character played by Anna Torv, she wrecked the life of everyone she came in contact with and left a trail of destruction behind her I felt like saying 'run, run - get away fast' whenever she asked someone to do something illegal.

Overall, I found the technological thriller aspect with the constant use of cell phones and computers rather annoying, and they sure got through a lot of cell phones dunking them in the lake, bathtub, sink, toilet or anywhere handy!

Brilliant!

[shastings-99261 · 10/10 · 3 July 2016]

This is the best Australian TV show I have ever watched. The lies and Corruption by those who govern us. One could see this being based on a true story, or at least a story that is no doubt commonplace throughout the world we live in. Magnificently written, well acted by a great cast. Very important to watch carefully to follow and understand the plot, with twists and turns at every unexpected corner. The people aren't the people you think they are, well, most of them and is that not the place in the real world of politics. It reminds me of America or at least what goes on over there from what I have read. Whilst some may consider it a bit slow I would say to them "all good things take time". My hope is that the show continues for many years. The person, who wrote this has more of an understanding of the real world than most so I expect more and more twists and turns to come in the second series. This is a show I could watch everyday.

Political intrigue, mystery, conspiracy, and espionage in Australia

[robert-temple-1 · 9/10 · 20 July 2017]

This is a very exciting Ossie conspiracy series set in the Australian capital of Canberra. There are two outstanding performances in the series which hold it all together and make the series work. Jacki Weaver is spellbinding as the evil, Machiavellian Attorney General named Catriona Bailey. And the lead role is played by Anna Torv, who has an effortless ability to compel one's attention, and who held together the American series FRINGE (2008, see my review), all 87 episodes of which I watched with bated breath. So she easily handles the mere six episodes of this one. She is such a stalwart lead for a series, that if she is cast, you can know it will work. The plot is exceedingly complex and ingenious. Everyone is betraying everyone, and it is impossible to know who all the good guys are and who the bad guys are, except of course for Anna Torv, who plays a crusading political journalist who is always trying to expose corruption. (And in Australia there is certainly plenty of that, as the Ossies are always complaining about it.) Here the corruption is more to do with insidious political scheming than with financial matters. Weaver wants to establish a police state in Australia with herself in control. For this purpose, she has drawn up an Act to create the Safer Australia Agency, of which she will be the head. She stages false flag operations, has opponents murdered, and manipulates international events to create a climate of fear, so that the Ossies will surrender their civil rights in order to 'be kept safe'. She succeeds in doing this. Draconian laws then come into being which permit people like Anna Torv to be detained indefinitely and imprisoned for the 'offence' of informing the public of the truth about the conspiracies by the Australian Deep State. Sound familiar? Secret courts are established and no one can publicly reveal that he or she has been detained without spending ten years in prison for revealing it. The background to all of this is a simulated threat from China. Weaver is scheming with the Americans to have a military conflict with the Chinese at sea, and stages a false 13 minute 'cyber attack' on Australian air space, leaving everything in the air helpless, both military and civil, then insists it was a Chinese attack on her country. She had secretly given orders through a corrupted general to have various backup units stand down the day before, therefore rendering the nation helpless. Having sufficiently terrified Australia, she gets her bill passed and becomes the shadow dictator of a country whereby the Prime Minister is always the last to know anything critical, while she holds all the cards. Numerous people get killed along with the way, including Torv's ex-husband who has become a woman working for the spy agency. She is played very effectively by Damon Herriman. There is so much intrigue in this gripping series that one hopes that 'Season One' on the front of the DVD means there really will be a Season Two, though so far none is scheduled for production.

Good Australian spy-intrigue series

[manugw · 7/10 · 3 April 2019]

Spies, political intrigue and internacional conspracy are blended to make a gripping puzzle. The tension increases slowly allowing the viewer to get engaged gradually. Interest rises in line to advacement into later episodes. It does not drag on. It has action scenes and very good acting. I liked the second season better than the first. Nice imagery. Filmed in Caberra, Australia

Truly chilling to watch Season 1 in 2018

[dent-7 · 9/10 · 16 July 2018]

Just binge-watched Season 1 in 2018. Was a little slow to start but much plausible manipulation and we are currently facing an Australian bipartisan attempt to put the through legislation that's as scary as anything in this thriller.

The House of Cards of Australia

[Ed_Jones_XLIX · 29 March 2019]

Not to give away anything plot wise, but this is an above average political "Deep State" type thriller. Anna Torv of the U.S. TV Show Fringe (2008) stars as a reporter who uncovers a mass conspiracy within The Australian Government. There are the well written usual twist and turns in the plot, and you find yourself wanting for the next episode.

You won't be wasting your time here. Cheers

Good start for Australian TV

[sleepyhat · 7/10 · 5 July 2016]

The script is not tight enough. The dialogues can be slow and boring sometimes. Everything else seems fine, until an ambassador's wife claimed that China is unlike US can handle being viewed as bad. That gave a chuckle, whether it's the true belief of whoever wrote it or it meant to be sarcasm. All governments of any nation are equally with hidden agendas and secrets, with fear of being viewed in its true colour. The logic is slow but getting there, hopefully. The settings are not as smooth and natural, but definitely a good new beginning for Australian TV. Worth a 7 for still room for improvements. Too bad Daron Herriman's role is short-lived. His performance was the best.

Full Marks

[jsrtheta · 10/10 · 6 February 2020]

I normally am not a big fan of the "Deep State Conspiracy" genre. Usually they are cartoonish, unlikely, and too clever by half. But I've seen two of these now, both Australian, "The Code" and this remarkable achievement, "Secret City".

It runs for two seasons, at least so far, with each season being a complete story arc on its own, but featuring many of the same characters. And what characters! You will never doubt the reality of these people: None are cartoons, all are complicated people playing for huge stakes, some incredibly brave, some horribly venal, all driven by a variety of personal and professional realities that serve to limit their choices, often fatally.

There are no Snidely Whiplashes or Dudley Do-Rights. Their motivations are complex and usually hidden, but they are driven to make decisions where they may not have any good options, no morally obvious route. Appropriately for the genre, you spend each season trying to figure out whom you can trust and whom you should hate. And you'll often be wrong.

Each season moves like bullet train, so strap in. You will never find your attention flagging. When you come out at the other end, you will appreciate that you finally have a firm grasp of just what the hell is going on. There are no loose ends, but then, there are no ends at all. Every victory is really a holding action until another crew of villains and heroes come along and pick up the pieces as they try to mold events to further their agendas.

If this all sounds vague, that's on purpose. There is so much going on in each episode that it's impossible to summarize. Murders, assassinations, plots, coups, a little appropriate non-gratuitous sex, it's all there. You won't be bored. The acting is consistently fantastic, the actors perfectly cast, the direction fast-paced but clear.

It's simply the best of this genre I've seen, and I'll bet you will agree. It's the closest thing to perfection you've seen in a long time.

Brave and bold

[themarpleleaf · 7/10 · 21 May 2020]

Set in Canberra and set up as a House of Cards style conspiracy thriller, this jogs along nicely and takes some brave twists and turns with both geo-politics and casting a trans character. Anna Torv is a real star as journalist Harriet Dunkley, but some of the politicos are right out of The Thick of It with some very strange motivations of characters which seem a bit fanciful. But frankly I can believe anything these days.

Season 3, where are you?!

[winstanleyaaron · 10/10 · 6 February 2021]

To keep this review short and sweet, I would like to say that this is definitely worth to watch. Binge watched it.

Wasted potential.

[kitellis-98121 · 6/10 · 11 July 2018]

A while back, the Australian Prime Minister went for a swim in the sea and was never seen again. No one much seemed to notice, although amusingly they did name a municipal swimming pool after him. True story.

I mention this because after struggling through four episodes of "Secret City" I've only just figured out which of the bland, nondescript characters in it represents their PM, so I guess the producers of this show were aiming for realism, at least in regard to the general lack of charisma in its civil servants.

Unfortunately that is where the realism ends. This show, which I earnestly wanted to enjoy, tries way too hard to be like Homeland, 24, The West Wing, Madam Secretary, House of Cards, and many other American political thrillers, and fails in almost every regard, other than its reasonably slick (though unimaginative) visual style and the fact that it is laced with realistically strong language that the superior American shows can't get past the network censors.

It's a shame that the Aussies couldn't make this show work, as there was a lot of potential here. There is always a need to shine light on the corrupt nature of politics and national "security", and to keep emphasising through intelligent (and entertaining) drama how badly run most countries are, and how their governments continue to act against the best interests of their citizens.

But sadly this show was poorly conceived, sloppily written, lazily directed, and mostly miscast. There are one or two good actors in it, but they are wasted due to bad dialogue and direction.

The most interesting character - by a country mile - whose presence could have added multiple layers of extra depth, not to mention countless opportunities for good drama and chances to shine a light on particular areas of governmental abuse, gets killed off way too soon, and that untimely exit struck a fatal blow to my already strained ability to endure.

I eventually gave up, having not quite reached the finale.

This thing is not good

[whatithinkis · 1/10 · 10 October 2016]

SPOILER: It goes in fits and starts. The story revs up, zooms forward . . . goes nowhere . . . hangs . . .

She's rowing in the middle of a lake, is shot at, swims to shore, then sits there, out in the open breathing hard, like recovering from the strenuous swim is her only problem.

She comes into her apartment, sees blood on the wall, grabs a trophy, crouch-walks to the bathroom and finds a bloody guy in her tub.

'Are you okay?' she says.

He nods.

What!

A passionate spontaneous sex scene between her and the gay guy. ExCUSE me? Wha a a . . . ?

She meets 'the person' in the middle of nowhere to reveal that she knows he's the killer. Then runs, like it's a surprise he's gonna try to kill her.

The writing is just stupid.

So why have I watched the whole thing?

Dunno. I like Australian film. Sigh.

Well, I did fast-forward almost all of the last two episodes and I won't be watching a Season 2 if there is one.

As of this writing there's only one other negative review and that's just not right.

So, you're welcome.

It's not paranoia when they really are out to get you.

[pallelli · 9/10 · 12 May 2021]

Secret City is everything that a great suspense thriller should be, and the scariest part is that something similar could happen for real, and maybe has.

This show ticks all the boxes in terms of acting, plot, writing, directing, etc etc etc. It only loses a point because of the hacker who hacks into something that can't be hacked. Why do film makers keep using that outdated trope? (Rant over)

This show is well worth watching.