During the Cold War, ex-smuggler Harry Palmer is recruited as a spy. Sent to Berlin, Harry embarks on a dangerous mission, where his survival depends on his own wits and the interventions of Maddox, a CIA man who may not be what he seems.
A bomb explodes underneath Jean's car and only Harry's quick-thinking saves their lives. Harry spots a suspicious stranger tailing them who is identified as Randall, a former agent now working for anyone who will pay him.
While chasing Randall to Beirut, Harry and Jean's relationship intensifies; suspicious Americans keep tabs on Dalby and find him in secret talks with a Russian spy; Colonel Stok offers Dalby a tempting trade.
Suspecting an American hand in Dawson's abduction, Dalby challenges General Cathcart by sending Harry and Jean to the neutron bomb test; Harry follows a trail of clues into big trouble; Maddox undermines Jean's trust in her colleague.
Harry is handed over to the Chinese military, where he is subjected to a bewildering regime of mental torture; Dalby's love for Dr Lavotchkin takes its toll on his better judgement.
Harry Palmer worries about what has been planted in his mind as he runs from the brainwashing, but he cannot hide from the agents of Cathcart's conspiracy; Jean discovers the origin of Maddox's conflict; Dalby learns his organisation is to be axed.
Joe Cole
Harry Palmer
Lucy Boynton
Jean Courtney
Tom Hollander
Dalby
Ashley Thomas
Maddox
Brian Ferguson
Randall