Bird of Prey (TV serial)

Bird of Prey is a three-part British television thriller serial, produced by the BBC and first broadcast in 1982. Written by Ron Hutchinson, it stars Richard Griffiths as Henry Jay, a seemingly unassuming civil servant who is actually a brilliant computer programmer and codebreaker.

The plot centers on Jay's discovery of a dangerous conspiracy linked to a powerful and secretive group. He becomes embroiled in a cat-and-mouse game with shadowy government figures and ruthless adversaries, including the enigmatic character known only as "The Colonel," played by Carole Hayman.

The series is notable for its early portrayal of computer hacking and the potential misuse of information technology by state actors. It explores themes of surveillance, political corruption, and the vulnerability of individual freedom in the face of powerful institutions.

Bird of Prey was followed by a sequel, Bird of Prey 2, also known as Night of the Fox, broadcast in 1984. This sequel featured a different cast, with Pierce Brosnan taking on the lead role. The follow-up lacked the critical acclaim and impact of the original.

The original Bird of Prey is remembered as a pioneering thriller that tapped into anxieties about the increasing power of computers and government surveillance in the early 1980s.