Jo Portman
Encyclopedia
Joanna "Jo" Portman was a fictional Field Operative in the Counter-Terrorism department at MI5
, featured in the British television series, Spooks
, also known as MI5
in the United States. She was played by Miranda Raison
. A former aspiring journalist, she joined the team in the fifth episode of Series 4 after being recruited by Adam Carter
; Jo retained her journalist occupation as her MI5 cover. She was killed in a volatile hostage situation in the third episode of the eighth series.
, at the time posing as a gas engineer, isn’t all he makes out to be and her latent skills are soon put to good use, ensuring the success of Adam and his colleagues. Having earned the respect of Adam and the rest of Section D, she is offered a job as a junior case officer on the grid and gladly accepts the role.
operative, Zafar Younis
, although this never developed beyond subtle flirting. Zaf did offer her a room at his home after she explained she was having trouble keeping her true occupation secret from her flatmate whilst drunk, but it is unknown if she accepted the offer. It is also hinted that she cares very deeply for her mother, who is ill.
As a junior case officer, Jo divided much of her time between grid based activities and field missions. Throughout her tenure on the show, she took part in many important missions including serving as the bodyguard (albeit secretly at first) to the Prime Minister’s university aged son in series five, when she successfully helped him elude capture by a reactionary group of anti-government activists.
as a junior case officer. The pair quickly forms a strong professional bond, and participates in many missions together.
Toward the end of series 6, Adam and Jo attempt to infiltrate a dangerous gang, the Redbacks. However their infiltration ultimately proves unsuccessful, and the pair are captured and imprisoned. Afraid that she will not be able to withstand extensive torture, Jo begs for Adam to kill her so that she will not divulge classified information. The episode concludes with Special Forces storming the building, only to find Adam sitting silently as he cradles an apparently lifeless Jo in his lap.
In the first episode of Series 7 it is revealed that Adam did not kill Jo, rather she was playing dead. However, the young officer is severely traumatized by her ordeal and has since taken an extended leave of absence from the service. She eventually rejoins Section D at the conclusion of the episode.
After rejoining her colleagues, Jo is still suffering from post traumatic stress and struggles to readjust to her duties. She is particularly devastated by the death of Adam in the previous episode, and is not long after almost killed herself in a similar explosion. Throughout the seventh series, Jo is haunted by visions of one of her captors, and risks the success of several missions because of these distractions.
Ros Myers
eventually approaches Jo to discuss her compromised state and during their exchange it is revealed Jo was not only tortured during her imprisonment by the Redbacks, but repeatedly raped. Ros offers her some words of encouragement, and reminds her of the unique strains of being a female member of the service, leaving Jo with new perspective.
Eventually, Jo regains her composure and becomes an indispensable member of the team once again, but is soon shocked by the murder of her colleague Ben Kaplan at the hands of double agent, Connie James
. After expressing her bafflement at Connie’s actions, she volunteers to be the one to break the news of Ben’s death to his family.
. Jo convinces a torn Ruth that she is missed on the team and that she should talk to Harry
. Her attempts are successful, and Ruth returns, but Harry later jokingly threatens to deport Jo if she becomes entwined in his private life again.
Later in the series, a group of terrorists storm a meeting of industrial billionaires and begin a series of ‘trials’, broadcast via an internet stream that bring to light the white collar crimes of those in question. After the first of the hostages is executed, both the US and UK governments agree to an aerial bombardment as a counter-strike. With Ros also taken hostage and out of radio contact, Harry instructs Jo to approach the hostage takers and negotiate. Her attempts prove initially successful, but the group’s leader attempts to detonate an explosive. A struggle ensues, and Jo is caught in an awkward hold with the terrorist. It quickly dawns on Jo that the only way to bring the situation to a close is an act of self-sacrifice, and she silently nods for a now armed Ros to take the shot; killing the terrorist, but sacrificing herself in the process.
Ros is shaken after her part in the self sacrifice of Jo, and her death continues to plague her throughout the remainder of series 8. Soon after, Harry is forced to break the news of Jo’s demise to a tearful Ruth and in the following episode, Sarah Caulfield and her CIA associates deliver flowers and condolences to Section D.
Jo’s place on the team remains vacant throughout the remainder of series 8 and she is only replaced in the following series when Beth Bailey
is installed as junior case officer.
MI5
The Security Service, commonly known as MI5 , is the United Kingdom's internal counter-intelligence and security agency and is part of its core intelligence machinery alongside the Secret Intelligence Service focused on foreign threats, Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence...
, featured in the British television series, Spooks
Spooks
Spooks is a British television drama series that originally aired on BBC One from 13 May 2002 – 23 October 2011, consisting of 10 series. The title is a popular colloquialism for spies, as the series follows the work of a group of MI5 officers based at the service's Thames House headquarters, in a...
, also known as MI5
MI5
The Security Service, commonly known as MI5 , is the United Kingdom's internal counter-intelligence and security agency and is part of its core intelligence machinery alongside the Secret Intelligence Service focused on foreign threats, Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence...
in the United States. She was played by Miranda Raison
Miranda Raison
-Early life:Born in Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, her father Nick Raison is a jazz pianist and artist, while her mother Caroline read the news for Anglia Television. She has two brothers and two sisters: Ed , Rosie, Sam and May. Her parents divorced when she was six years old, and her father remarried...
. A former aspiring journalist, she joined the team in the fifth episode of Series 4 after being recruited by Adam Carter
Adam Carter
Adam Henry Carter is a fictional character from the BBC espionage television series Spooks, which follows the exploits of Section D, a counter-terrorism division of MI5. He is portrayed by British actor Rupert Penry-Jones...
; Jo retained her journalist occupation as her MI5 cover. She was killed in a volatile hostage situation in the third episode of the eighth series.
Introduction
Jo is first introduced in the fifth episode of series four. At that time, Jo is an aspiring journalist with an inquisitive instinct and becomes embroiled in an undercover operation involving Section D. She immediately recognizes that Adam CarterAdam Carter
Adam Henry Carter is a fictional character from the BBC espionage television series Spooks, which follows the exploits of Section D, a counter-terrorism division of MI5. He is portrayed by British actor Rupert Penry-Jones...
, at the time posing as a gas engineer, isn’t all he makes out to be and her latent skills are soon put to good use, ensuring the success of Adam and his colleagues. Having earned the respect of Adam and the rest of Section D, she is offered a job as a junior case officer on the grid and gladly accepts the role.
Series 4-5
Throughout series 4 and 5, Jo develops a close relationship with fellow MI5MI5
The Security Service, commonly known as MI5 , is the United Kingdom's internal counter-intelligence and security agency and is part of its core intelligence machinery alongside the Secret Intelligence Service focused on foreign threats, Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence...
operative, Zafar Younis
Zafar Younis
Zafar Younis is a fictional character in the popular BBC espionage drama Spooks, known in the United States as MI-5. The show follows the exploits of MI5's counter-terrorism group, Section D. The character is played by British actor Raza Jaffrey. Zafar is introduced in the last episode of series...
, although this never developed beyond subtle flirting. Zaf did offer her a room at his home after she explained she was having trouble keeping her true occupation secret from her flatmate whilst drunk, but it is unknown if she accepted the offer. It is also hinted that she cares very deeply for her mother, who is ill.
As a junior case officer, Jo divided much of her time between grid based activities and field missions. Throughout her tenure on the show, she took part in many important missions including serving as the bodyguard (albeit secretly at first) to the Prime Minister’s university aged son in series five, when she successfully helped him elude capture by a reactionary group of anti-government activists.
Series 6-7
Continuing her activities within Section D, Jo is instrumental in the hiring of Ben KaplanBen Kaplan
Ben Kaplan DSO, portrayed by Alex Lanipekun was a starring character in the British spy series, Spooks.- Appearances :Ben Kaplan first appeared in Series 6, Episode 5 as a freelance journalist who was in a relationship with Jo Portman. He tried to expose what was going on with MI5's and Section D's...
as a junior case officer. The pair quickly forms a strong professional bond, and participates in many missions together.
Toward the end of series 6, Adam and Jo attempt to infiltrate a dangerous gang, the Redbacks. However their infiltration ultimately proves unsuccessful, and the pair are captured and imprisoned. Afraid that she will not be able to withstand extensive torture, Jo begs for Adam to kill her so that she will not divulge classified information. The episode concludes with Special Forces storming the building, only to find Adam sitting silently as he cradles an apparently lifeless Jo in his lap.
In the first episode of Series 7 it is revealed that Adam did not kill Jo, rather she was playing dead. However, the young officer is severely traumatized by her ordeal and has since taken an extended leave of absence from the service. She eventually rejoins Section D at the conclusion of the episode.
After rejoining her colleagues, Jo is still suffering from post traumatic stress and struggles to readjust to her duties. She is particularly devastated by the death of Adam in the previous episode, and is not long after almost killed herself in a similar explosion. Throughout the seventh series, Jo is haunted by visions of one of her captors, and risks the success of several missions because of these distractions.
Ros Myers
Ros Myers
Rosalind "Ros" Sarah Myers was a fictional character from the BBC espionage television series Spooks, which follows the exploits of Section D, a counter-terrorism division in MI5. She is portrayed by British actress Hermione Norris. The character was a former MI6 officer who works with MI5 in the...
eventually approaches Jo to discuss her compromised state and during their exchange it is revealed Jo was not only tortured during her imprisonment by the Redbacks, but repeatedly raped. Ros offers her some words of encouragement, and reminds her of the unique strains of being a female member of the service, leaving Jo with new perspective.
Eventually, Jo regains her composure and becomes an indispensable member of the team once again, but is soon shocked by the murder of her colleague Ben Kaplan at the hands of double agent, Connie James
Connie James
Connie James played by Gemma Jones is a fictional British MI5 spy in the BBC television series Spooks.-Introduction to the Team:According the BBC website, Connie joined MI5 as a secretary when she was 19 in 1963. She was first seen in episode 2 of Series 6, brought in as a regular female lead...
. After expressing her bafflement at Connie’s actions, she volunteers to be the one to break the news of Ben’s death to his family.
Series 8 and Death
In series 8, Jo is instrumental in the reinstatement of the newly returned Ruth EvershedRuth Evershed
Ruth Evershed was a fictional Senior Intelligence Analyst seconded from GCHQ to MI5, featured in the British Television Series Spooks, also known as MI-5 in the United States. Ruth was played by Nicola Walker from the time the character joined the show in 2003, until Walker left to have a baby in...
. Jo convinces a torn Ruth that she is missed on the team and that she should talk to Harry
Harry Pearce
Sir Henry James "Harry" Pearce KBE is the fictional head of the Counter-Terrorism department of MI5, featured in the British television series, Spooks...
. Her attempts are successful, and Ruth returns, but Harry later jokingly threatens to deport Jo if she becomes entwined in his private life again.
Later in the series, a group of terrorists storm a meeting of industrial billionaires and begin a series of ‘trials’, broadcast via an internet stream that bring to light the white collar crimes of those in question. After the first of the hostages is executed, both the US and UK governments agree to an aerial bombardment as a counter-strike. With Ros also taken hostage and out of radio contact, Harry instructs Jo to approach the hostage takers and negotiate. Her attempts prove initially successful, but the group’s leader attempts to detonate an explosive. A struggle ensues, and Jo is caught in an awkward hold with the terrorist. It quickly dawns on Jo that the only way to bring the situation to a close is an act of self-sacrifice, and she silently nods for a now armed Ros to take the shot; killing the terrorist, but sacrificing herself in the process.
Ros is shaken after her part in the self sacrifice of Jo, and her death continues to plague her throughout the remainder of series 8. Soon after, Harry is forced to break the news of Jo’s demise to a tearful Ruth and in the following episode, Sarah Caulfield and her CIA associates deliver flowers and condolences to Section D.
Jo’s place on the team remains vacant throughout the remainder of series 8 and she is only replaced in the following series when Beth Bailey
Beth Bailey
Beth Bailey is a fictional character from the BBC espionage television series Spooks, which follows the exploits of Section D, a counter-terrorism division in MI5. She is portrayed by British actress Sophia Myles. Beth Bailey was introduced in Spooks's ninth series as a private contractor in her...
is installed as junior case officer.