Imagine waking up on London's Millennium Bridge with no memory, surrounded by corpses, and discovering you have superpowers. That's the gripping premise of The Rook, a 2019 Starz miniseries that flew under the radar but deserves a second look. Based on Daniel O'Malley's 2012 novel, the show blends espionage with the supernatural, creating a unique hybrid that feels like Fringe colliding with the Jason Bourne films.
Emma Greenwell stars as Myfanwy Thomas (pronounced like "Tiffany"), who awakens with amnesia and must piece together her identity while navigating the secretive Checquy Group, a centuries-old organization of individuals with extraordinary abilities. The series kicks off with a bloody mystery that hooks you immediately, as Myfanwy follows cryptic instructions left by her former self to uncover the truth.
A Superpowered Spy Thriller with a Bourne Twist
Unlike the book's more fantastical and darkly comic tone, the TV adaptation grounds the story in a muted, procedural style reminiscent of British spy dramas. The Checquy Group is portrayed more like MI5 than an ancient masonic order, but their history of grooming superpowered children—known as EVAs (Extreme Variant Abilities)—echoes the creepy experiments of Fringe. Myfanwy's own power involves electrical transmission, and she's been with the Checquy since childhood, trained as a "Rook"—a weapon for the organization.
The show's amnesiac protagonist serves as both a viewer surrogate and a kickass secret agent, channeling Geena Davis in The Long Kiss Goodnight but with the gritty tone of Jason Bourne. As she relearns her past through video messages from her pre-amnesia self, she finds herself at odds with her own agency, particularly its enigmatic leader Linda (Joely Richardson) and the Gestalt, a group of four twins who operate as a single consciousness.
Parallel Investigations and a Dark Underworld
Adding depth is Olivia Munn's Monica Reed, an American EVA investigating the bridge incident. Monica's journey runs parallel to Myfanwy's, leading her to uncover the Vultures, a criminal group abducting EVAs and auctioning them to the highest bidder. This subplot injects a chilling dose of reality into the supernatural proceedings, exploring the exploitation of powered individuals.
While the mystery is compelling, the show's limited use of superpowers—often reduced to a cough or a spark—may disappoint those expecting flashy displays. The pacing sometimes drags, and the long-form investigation doesn't quite reach the heights of True Detective. Yet, the grim London setting, sharp dialogue, and creepy plot points keep you engaged.
Why The Rook Deserves a Watch
Despite its flaws, The Rook offers a solid sci-fi spy thriller with a vulnerable, standout performance by Greenwell. It's a shame the show didn't get a second season—especially since author Stephenie Meyer departed due to creative differences, potentially altering its trajectory. For fans of forgotten sci-fi gems or nerve-shredding thrillers, this eight-episode miniseries is worth a binge. It may not fully capture the book's imaginative world, but it delivers a satisfying blend of mystery and espionage that will appeal to anyone craving a Bourne-style adventure with a supernatural twist.
