Thematics of counterterrorism: comparing 24 and MI-5/Spooks

Abstract

This paper examines terrorism and counterterrorism as they are manifest in the popular culture of the USA and UK, focusing on two contemporary televisual works, namely, 24 and the series named MI-5 when aired in the US or Spooks when broadcast in the UK. I compare similarities and differences in the representation of agents (individuals) and agencies (organisations) involved in counterterrorism, and how such representations impact upon the two democratic polities. I explore themes of legitimisation, normalisation, and subversion in these works.

Keywords:

• counterterrorism
• terrorism
• popular culture
• 24
• MI-5
• Spooks

Notes

Nielsen and BARB provide ratings of programmes to interested parties enabling them to gauge viewership for purposes of setting advertising rates or to judge audience satisfaction or dissatisfaction with programming.

I am grateful to one of the anonymous reviewers for this point.