''Codename'' was a short-lived British

television Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication Media (communication), medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of Transmission (telecommunications), television tra ...

series produced by the BBC in 1970. An espionage thriller series, ''Codename'' recounted the activities of a secret organisation, MI17, being run from a residential hall at

Cambridge University , mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge. , established = , other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...

. The programme, lasting for one series of thirteen episodes, was produced by Gerard Glaister and starred Clifford Evans, Alexandra Bastedo, Anthony Valentine and Brian Peck. It was preceded by a one-off pilot play, with a different cast. The leads were well known from other series when this series was originally transmitted, Valentine from ''

Callan Callan is a given name and surname of Irish and Scottish origin. It can derive from Ó Cathaláin, meaning ''descendant of Cathalán''. Callan can also be an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Allin or Mac Callin. Notable people with the name includ ...

'', Bastedo from '' The Champions'' and Evans from '' The Power Game'', and the first episode featured on the cover of the

Radio Times ''Radio Times'' (currently styled as ''RadioTimes'') is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in May 1923 by J ...

. However, the show failed to capture the public imagination, and no further series were made. No episodes survive in the BBC archive, though there is a recording of the pilot.

External links

* BBC television dramas Espionage television series 1970s British drama television series 1970 British television series debuts 1970 British television series endings British college television series {{BBC-tv-prog-stub