Secret City (Showcase), directed by Emma Freeman

Murder, conspiracy and political shenanigans abound in a tale where it’s almost impossible to tell the heroes from the villains, except for our intrepid reporter of course. Anna Torv is wonderful as political journalist Harriet Dunkley, who writes for the Daily Nation and has a complicated love life. The very strong support cast includes Dan Wyllie, Jacki Weaver, Alex Dimitriades and Damon Herriman in a most unusual role. Sex, lies and videotape underpin innumerable twists and turns as spies and counter spies impact on Australia’s relationship with the US and China. Political and journalistic rivalries are cleverly depicted and Canberra makes a fascinating backdrop, although the very large number of secret meeting places around Lake Burley Griffin seems a little unlikely. This is a rare case where the film, or in fact the six-episode series, is so very much better than the book. The stupid names, insider jokes and constant exposition have been cut to create a taut and suspenseful thriller that occasionally challenges the suspension of disbelief but is ultimately satisfying.