Director James Hawes, best known for his work on some of TV’s critically acclaimed series, brings to the big screen in his upcoming spy thriller The Amateur. The celebrated director behind The Alienist, Slow Horses, and Black Mirror, steps out of the shadows of streaming with a gripping, grounded espionage drama led by Oscar-winner Rami Malek.
In an exclusive interview with ETimes, the director opens up about reinventing a Cold War-era story for a modern audience, why Malek was the only choice for his reluctant hero, and how The Amateur is a fresh creation and not just another Hollywood remake. Excerpts
Q: You’ve worked on award-winning series like Black Mirror, The Alienist, Slow Horses and others—what made you take the leap into a theatrical spy film with The Amateur?
James Hawes: I’ve always wanted to make something for the big screen, and I’ve loved working in the spy genre on Slow Horses. This project had the perfect blend—character, action, and a personal quest that begged to be explored at scale. It’s got real cinematic spectacle but is grounded in something very human.
Q: This film is based on a 1980s spy thriller. What made you decide to revisit that story now?
Hawes: Honestly, I don’t think of it as a remake, I think of it as a new make. I respected the earlier film, but I didn’t go back to study it. We had a brand-new script, and the world has changed. We’re decades ahead now—it needed to be made fresh. What we’ve tried to do is take everything we’ve learned from shows like Black Mirror, Slow Horses and translate it to something theatrical and deeply emotional.
Q: Rami Malek seems like an unconventional pick for an action-heavy spy lead, especially with someone like Jon Bernthal, aka ‘The Punisher’ backing him up. What led to that casting?
Hawes: That’s exactly why we chose him. The role of Charlie needs someone unexpected—someone with intelligence, vulnerability, and a bit of awkwardness. It’s called The Amateur for a reason. He’s not slick. He’s not cool. Rami brings depth and contrast. When you see him with Jon Bernthal’s character—this confident, hardened pro—you feel the difference. And it’s beautiful to watch how that relationship evolves.
Q: You also have Rachel Brosnahan and Caitriona Balfe in the film, though their screen time feels short. Tell us about working with them.
Hawes: They were an absolute delight. Both are fiercely intelligent, deeply collaborative actors. Rachel had just a few scenes, but she delivered so much warmth and emotional weight in that time—you believe in the love story instantly. Caitriona was excited to play this mysterious Russian agent. You’re not quite sure who she is with her own backstory of grief and baggage. They both enjoyed the chance to play opposite Rami and bring their craft to this world. It felt like working with a theatre company, honestly.
Q: Spy thrillers are booming in India too. Have you seen any recent Indian spy films and do you have any advice for filmmakers wanting to explore this genre?
Hawes: I haven’t, but I’d love to. I’m sure Indian filmmakers could teach me a thing or two. What I’d say to anyone making a spy film—anywhere—is to start with a script that excites you. The best spy stories make you care about the person behind the gun. The chases, the shootouts—they work because you’re invested in who’s in the crosshairs.
Q: And how do you personally decide what’s best suited for television versus a theatrical release?
Hawes: I don’t really have to make that decision—that’s more the studio’s call. I show up excited by the story, the script, and the cast. Thankfully, I’ve made two films in the last three years and both are getting theatrical releases, so, I hope I can maintain away.
The Amateur, starring Rami Malek, Jon Bernthal, Rachel Brosnahan, and Caitriona Balfe, releases in cinemas worldwide on April 11.