Tom Hughes stars as MI5 officer Joe Lambe, Victoria Hamilton plays his boss Sarah Montague, and Brian Cox is the enigmatic ‘Daddy’ in the 2014 BBC Cold War thriller The Game.
Main cast
- Joe LambeTom Hughes1Main
- Sarah MontagueVictoria Hamilton1Main
- Daddy (Jimmy)Brian Cox1Main
- Alan MontagueShaun Dooley1Main
- Bobby WaterhousePaul Ritter1Main
- DavidJonathan Aris1Main
- KateRachel Stirling1Main
Supporting cast
- AnnaChloe Pirrie1Supp
- Jack DolanAdrian Lester1Supp
- MarianneJodhi May1Supp
Guest & voice
- ViktorDavid Yip1Guest
- BishopNicholas Jones1Guest
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About this cast
The Game is a 2014 BBC One six-part thriller set in 1972, following MI5 officers as they uncover a Soviet plot. The main cast includes Tom Hughes as Joe Lambe, Victoria Hamilton as Sarah Montague, and Brian Cox as the head of MI5, known as ‘Daddy’.
FAQs
Who plays Joe Lambe in The Game?
Tom Hughes plays the lead role of MI5 officer Joe Lambe.
Who plays Daddy in The Game?
Brian Cox plays the head of MI5, known only as ‘Daddy’.
How many seasons of The Game are there?
The Game is a single six-episode series, so only one season.
Where can I watch The Game?
The Game is available on BBC iPlayer and DVD, and may be streamed on services like Amazon Prime Video in some regions.
Is The Game based on a true story?
No, The Game is a fictional thriller set against the backdrop of the Cold War in 1972, though it draws on real MI5 history.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026