Spooks/Trivia
- Actor Allusion: This isn't the first time Lara Pulver has taken Richard Armitage's job.
- Defictionalization: Some terminology and catchphrases invented in this series are now used by the real MI-5.
- Enforced Method Acting: Richard Armitage was actually "waterboarded" for a Flash Back scene, as a desire for Method Acting. The screams were genuine.
- Fake American: Understandably, quite a few of the CIA personnel depicted on the show are played by British or Irish actors. In fact, Megan Dodds is notable as an aversion of this by being an American-born actress (albeit one who had been living in London for about five years at that point) playing CIA liaison Christine Dale.
- Hey, It's That Guy!: Rani's dad works for Indian Intelligence, while Jo Portman sang a musical number and Emperor Palpatine is a sleeper agent working as a Chemistry Professor. The Leak in Series 2 Episode 10 is Sherlock Holmes!
- In only the second episode, Mr. Gibbs is a nasty Fascist who shoves Lisa Faulkner's head in a deep fat fryer.
- In Series 1, the head of MI 6 is House!
- Edward Seymour joining Section D (Series 9 Episode 1)? And so is The Girl in the Fireplace.
- Giles is a rogue agent who hangs himself in Series 1 Episode 4.
- Promoted Fanboy: Geoffrey Streatfield is a long-time fan of the series, and viewed his role in the tenth series as "a dream role".
- Screwed by the Network: The two cable runs in the US. See the trope entry for more.