It follows the career of the British MI6 spy Magnus Pym from his early days as a schoolboy to his eventual disappearance as a suspected agent of the Czech secret service.

A Perfect Spy traces the life story of Magnus Pym and his career in British intelligence and as a double agent.

The series recounts Pym's childhood with his con-man father, his early years at school and university, his encounters with long-time friend and Czech spy Axel, and his final downfall.

John J. O'Connor of The New York Times cited the series as "on a par with Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley's People,", and wrote it "makes another very impressive addition to the television record of Le Carre explorations.

"[1] The series was nominated for five [2] BAFTA Awards in 1988, for Drama Series (Colin Rogers, Peter Smith), Ray McAnally for Actor, Michael Storey for Original Music and Television Craft for Film Cameraman (Elmer Cossey) and Film Sound (Malcolm Webberley, Ken Hains, Tony Quinn, Graham Lawrence, John Hyde).