Watch Masterpiece Contemporary: The Last Enemy Online - Full Episodes

The genre blurring thriller The Last Enemy was produced by the BBC in the U.K. as a mini series broadcast over five parts; the show featured soon after as part of the long running Masterpiece series on U.S. TV's PBS network. First broadcast in 2008, The Last Enemy stars some of Britain's most respected screen actors in Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Carlyle and Max Beesley. Written by Prime Suspect screenwriter Peter Berry and directed by Iain B. MacDonald the show was a critical and ratings success around the world.

The focus of The Last Enemy is on mathmatical genius Stephen Ezzard, who returns to London from working abroad to find a city and country scared of the possibilities of terrorism. Around every corner are surveillance cameras and other security measures linked to a central database that tracks the movements of the residents of the U.K.; amongst the problems that have forced the increased security measures are a large influx of illegal immigrants entering the U.K. for economic and social reasons.

Ezzard has returned to London after the death of his brother, Michael, with whom he shared little personal information, including a wife and family he knows nothing of. In an effort to investigate the mysterious death of his brother, Ezzard uses his mathematical skills to get a job with the British government that gives him access to records relating to his brother. Slowly, Ezzard begins to realize a conspiracy is taking place over an experimental vaccine that appears to lead to the deaths of some people. Ezzard now falls under the surveillance of a British secret service agent, played by Robert Carlyle and begins to feel he is being watched by the govenrment who fear he will expose their secrets.

The mini series was broadcast in five parts, with an 85 minute first episode followed by four 60 minute episodes. The Last Enemy imagines a world almost paralyzed by fear following the terrrosit attacks of 9/11 in the U.S. and 7/7 in the U.K.