Elisabeth Moss stars in The Veil, an international spy thriller created by Steven Knight. This gripping series takes viewers through a suspenseful journey across Istanbul, Paris, and London. It centers on Imogen, a British intelligence agent, and Adilah, a suspected high-level ISIS operative, whose complex and dangerous relationship forms the core of the narrative.
This 2024 series blends suspense, intrigue, and deep character studies, all delivered through Knight's masterful storytelling and Elisabeth Moss's compelling performance.
This article delves into the show's premise, behind-the-scenes insights, and more, offering a comprehensive look at one of the most captivating spy dramas of the year.
Premise of The Veil [Spoiler Free]
The series centers around two women, Imogen (played by Moss) and Adilah (Yumna Marwan), who are caught in a dangerous game of truth and deception. Imogen is a British intelligence agent tasked with escorting Adilah, who is suspected of being a high-level ISIS operative, to France.
The plot thickens as Imogen discovers that Adilah holds secrets that could save thousands of lives, turning their mission into a high-stakes race against time. The intricate relationship between the two women forms the core of the series, with each episode revealing more about their backgrounds, motivations, and the shadowy figures they encounter along the way.
As they navigate through a web of espionage and betrayal, their journey explores themes of trust, identity, and the moral ambiguities inherent in their line of work.
Several other series offer similar themes of espionage and complex character dynamics, such as Killing Eve, Homeland, The Americans, The Night Manager, and The Bureau. These shows feature strong female leads, intricate plots of deception and intrigue, and explore the psychological toll of undercover work, making them excellent follow-up viewing for those who enjoyed The Veil.
Behind The Veil: Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Let's take a look at the intriguing behind-the-scenes stories that illustrate the hard work and ingenuity of the cast and crew of this miniseries from FX.
1. Elisabeth Moss fractured a vertebra
Elisabeth Moss sustained a severe back injury while filming a rooftop fight scene in Istanbul for "The Veil." During the shoot, she hit a wall the wrong way and fractured a vertebra. Despite this injury, she continued filming the next day in Paris, demonstrating remarkable dedication to her role.
Moss discussed the incident in detail on Jimmy Kimmel Live, where she recounted lying on the rooftop for two hours before getting medical attention and learning about her fractured spine. Producer Denise Di Novi also highlighted the difficulty and danger involved in the stunt, praising Moss for her resilience and professionalism in handling the situation.
2. Injured while shooting from Istanbul to Paris
Filming for The Veil took place in several key locations, each adding a unique element to the series' international espionage narrative. Istanbul, Turkey, served as a primary location, showcasing its historic architecture, including the Grand Bazaar and Galata Tower.
Despite sustaining a back injury during a rooftop fight scene in Istanbul, Elisabeth Moss continued filming the very next day in Paris.
In Paris, iconic locations such as the Eiffel Tower and Charles de Gaulle Airport provided stunning backdrops. Additionally, the filming extended to London, England, including scenes shot in Kent, specifically at Canterbury Cathedral and the streets of Buttermarket in Canterbury, enriching the series with a diverse and visually captivating setting
3. Same creator behind Peaky Blinders
Steven Knight, the acclaimed creator behind "Peaky Blinders," wrote all six episodes of "The Veil" and served as an executive producer for the series. The show is produced by FX Productions in collaboration with Love and Squalor Pictures and PatMa Productions. This project marks another successful partnership between Knight and FX, following their collaborations on Taboo and A Christmas Carol.
The production team is further bolstered by executive producers Denise Di Novi and Nina Tassler of PatMa Productions, along with Elisabeth Moss and Lindsey McManus under their Love and Squalor Pictures banner.
4. Leveraging Handmaid's Tale experience
Elisabeth Moss played a crucial role as an executive producer for The Veil, working closely with the production team to bring the series to life. In addition to starring as Imogen Salter, Moss was deeply involved in the creative and logistical aspects of the production. She collaborated with Steven Knight, the series creator, and other executive producers like Denise Di Novi and Nina Tassler, to ensure the project maintained its high standards and unique vision.
Moss's responsibilities included overseeing various elements of the production, from script development to casting decisions and the coordination of international filming schedules. Her experience as an executive producer on The Handmaid's Tale equipped her with the skills to manage The Veil.
5. It’s all about the wrist
Elisabeth Moss emphasized the meticulous training required for her role as Imogen Salter, particularly in combat scenes. She explained, "I'm quite small, so [Imogen] had to use her skill and intelligence rather than brute force." Moss trained extensively in wrist manipulation and quick movements, allowing her to perform most of her stunts herself. She added, "It was a lot about wrist manipulation and quick movements," which added a visceral feel to the action sequences.
6. Accent transformation
Elisabeth Moss worked extensively on her British accent for her role as Imogen Salter, training for six months before filming and continuing to practice through post-production. Moss explained that speaking in Imogen's British accent required as much training as the combat.
She believes that using a different accent helps establish a different character, making it a vital tool despite being challenging for a perfectionist like her. Moss stated, "[Accents] immediately establish a different character when the character has a completely different voice. So, it's a very helpful tool, but they're not easy, especially not if you're a perfectionist like I am.”
7. Production during French pension reform protests
The production of The Veil faced several logistical challenges, particularly during the French pension reform protests. Producer Denise Di Novi noted that the protests in Paris significantly affected their filming schedule. The team had to navigate and plan around these large-scale demonstrations to ensure the safety and continuity of the shoot. Despite these challenges, they managed to capture authentic scenes in Paris that enhanced the narrative's authenticity.
Additionally, the production encountered disruptions due to earthquakes in Turkey. Filming in Istanbul was particularly challenging, as the team had to adapt quickly to ensure the safety of the cast and crew while maintaining the schedule.
Cast and Characters of The Veil
Elisabeth Moss stars as Imogen Salter, a seasoned MI6 agent. Imogen is deeply embedded in undercover operations for the DGSE, the French intelligence agency. Her mission in The Veil involves discerning the true identity of a woman suspected of being a high-ranking ISIS commander. Moss brings her extensive experience from roles in The Handmaid's Tale and Mad Men to this intense and multifaceted character.
Yumna Marwan portrays Adilah El Idrissi, a Parisian woman with a secretive background. Adilah is the granddaughter of a legendary communist revolutionary and finds herself trapped in Syria. She is suspected of being a key ISIS figure, and her interactions with Imogen Salter form the crux of the narrative. Marwan is known for her roles in Little Birds and Costa Brava, Lebanon.
Josh Charles plays Max Peterson, a formidable CIA agent who serves as Imogen's American liaison. Max is characterized by his ruthless and commanding presence, guiding Imogen through her perilous mission. Charles is acclaimed for his roles in The Good Wife and Dead Poets Society, bringing depth and intensity to the role of Max.
Dali Benssalah takes on the role of Malik Amar, an officer for the DGSE, the French intelligence agency. Benssalah, a French-Algerian actor, has appeared in films such as No Time to Die and A Faithful Man, showcasing his versatility and screen presence.
Additional cast members include Alec Secareanu as Tariq, James Purefoy as Colonel Ian Davies, Thibault de Montalembert as Pierre, Haluk Bilginer as Yasin El Idrissi, Fouad Dekkiche as Nadir, and Lachele Carl as the Chief of Staff
The Veil Sequel
As series wraps up its intense and suspenseful narrative, fans and critics alike are curious about the potential for a sequel or spinoff. Although The Veil was originally billed as a limited series, the ending left several plot threads unresolved, suggesting possibilities for future stories.
The series finale revealed significant twists, including the survival of Imogen's father and his involvement in the overarching conspiracy, as well as Imogen accepting a new mission that would take her to Athens, Greece. These unresolved elements provide a strong foundation for potential future installments, whether in the form of The Veil Season 2 or a spinoff.
Elisabeth Moss has expressed enthusiasm for continuing the story, mentioning her positive experience working with Steven Knight and the production team. Moss's comments indicate that she is open to reprising her role if the series were to continue. Similarly, Steven Knight has not ruled out the possibility of expanding the series, given the rich narrative potential left by the finale.
While no official announcements have been made regarding a sequel, the positive response from key cast members and the open-ended nature of the finale leave the door open for future developments in The Veil universe. Fans of the series should stay tuned for any updates from FX, Hulu, and the show's creators.