The first season of Bodyguard premiered August 26, 2018 and ended September 23, 2018. It was broadcast on BBC. It consists of six episodes, all written by Jed Mercurio. Thomas Vincent directed the first three episodes, with John Strickland directing the last three episodes.
Summary[]
Plot[]
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Andy Apsted
- Anne Sampson
- Chanel Dyson
- Charlie Budd
- David Budd
- Deepak Sharma
- Ella Budd
- Frances Montague
- John Vosler
- Julia Montague
- Kim Knowles
- Lorraine Craddock
- Louise Rayburn
- Luke Aikens
- Mike Travis
- Nadia Ali
- Richard Longcross
- Richard Montague
- Rob MacDonald
- Roger Penhaligon
- Stephen Hunter-Dunn
- Tahir Mahmood
- Tom Fenton
- Vicky Budd
Recurring Guest Stars[]
Notes and Trivia[]
Episodes[]
| No. in series | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Episode 1" | Thomas Vincent | Jed Mercurio | |
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| After distinguishing himself by courageously neutralising a terrorist threat, troubled war veteran Police Sergeant David Budd of the Metropolitan Police's Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch (RaSP) is assigned as a principal protection officer to the home secretary, the Rt Hon Julia Montague MP.
Julia is a controversial politician intent on pushing a new counterterrorism bill through Parliament which would give the security service enhanced surveillance powers. Her political ambitions make Julia a high-profile target. Dedicated to his job but concealing deep resentment of politicians following his traumas in Helmand, David's divided loyalties might make him Julia's greatest threat. | |||||
| 2 | 2 | "Episode 2" | Thomas Vincent | Jed Mercurio | |
| |||||
| Another terrorist attack raises the UK threat level to severe. Home secretary Julia Montague holds secret meetings with the director general of the security service, freezing out the police and her own minister of state for counter terrorism.
As Julia's stance on national security propels her into the public eye, specialist protection officer David Budd is on high alert while being put under pressure by senior police officers to spy on Julia. However, David's natural animosity towards Julia fades as his home life becomes more difficult. When Julia becomes a target, David's loyalty to her is challenged. | |||||
| 3 | 3 | "Episode 3" | Thomas Vincent | Jed Mercurio | |
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| As the capital shudders in the wake of two terrorist attacks, specialist protection officer PS David Budd is more under pressure than ever to keep the home secretary Julia Montague safe. The threat to her life does nothing to curb Julia's political ambitions, as her counterterrorism bill takes another step towards being made law, provoking political rivalries.
With the police marginalised from the investigation into the attacks in favour of the security service, David is caught between his new-found loyalty to Julia and his superiors' demands for intelligence on her activities. | |||||
| 4 | 4 | "Episode 4" | John Strickland | Jed Mercurio | |
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| The home secretary's principal protection officer David Budd struggles to come to terms with the fallout from the devastating events of the last 24 hours. The police retake control of the investigation into the attacks from the suddenly weakened security service, and David is questioned by counterterrorism detectives DCI Deepak Sharma and DS Louise Rayburn.
Pushed to breaking point, David is helped back on his feet by his estranged wife, Vicky, and is determined to play an active role in the investigation, starting with those closest to Julia in government. At first Rayburn wants to keep David out of the enquiry, until he delivers a breakthrough. | |||||
| 5 | 5 | "Episode 5" | John Strickland | Jed Mercurio | |
| |||||
| Determined to push the investigation forward, principal protection officer David Budd targets enemies of home secretary Julia Montague. As he delves into Julia's political manoeuvring before the attack, David'stheories about a conspiracy at the heart of government look increasingly plausible.
But when concerns are raised about David's psychological health, and allegations about his professional conduct come to light, the finger suddenly points at him. Friendless in a high-stakes game, David realises too late that he himself could be a target. | |||||
| 6 | 6 | "Episode 6" | John Strickland | Jed Mercurio | |
| |||||
| Principal Protection Officer David Budd has made a major breakthrough in the investigation into the attack on the home secretary, but his enquiries have put him in mortal danger. With the clock ticking and no-one left who believes him, David attempts to prove his innocence. But the evidence against him begins to stack up. | |||||
Reception[]
Bodyguard achieved the highest viewing figures for a new BBC show since 2008, beating the season two finale of Downton Abbey. The final episode of the series drew 10.4 million viewers.
The series garnered positive reviews, with Rotten Tomatoes giving the series an average of 8.8/10. However, the praise was not universal, and criticism was levelled at the series for its portrayal of Nadia Ali. Some felt that the depiction was Islamaphobia since it replaced the stereotype of oppressed Muslim women with the stereotype that all Muslims are terrorists.