'MI-5': BUY THAT LIFE INSURANCE.

Byline: - David Kronke

THIS FALL, ABC will introduce ``Threat Matrix,'' a series about government agents battling violent extremists. Since that series will air opposite ``Friends'' and ``Survivor'' - which means virtually no one will watch it - your best bet is to tune into A&E's spy show ``MI-5.''

``MI-5'' is a British production that scarcely gets sentimental about its characters. Which means: Don't get too attached to anyone, as they're very likely to be eradicated at an unforgiving moment's notice.

Such unpredictability makes the show fairly compelling. J.K. Rowling's not the only Brit who'll kill off a sentimental favorite.

Our heroes are led by Tom Quinn (Matthew Macfadyen), a top agent whose new girlfriend, a single mom, has no idea what line of business he's in. She's suspicious of his frequent disappearances, but what, as a single mom, can she do?

Zoe Reynolds (Keeley Hawes) is a heroic young woman unaware of how much danger her employers are willing to throw her way; and Danny Hunter (David Oyelowo) is the requisite high-tech expert.

Tonight, England's anti-terrorist front battles a group of anti-abortionists led by a fervid American (albeit one with a bad Southern accent). Next week, they strive to bring down a virulent racist; Irish terrorists figure into future episodes.

``MI-5'' approximates ``CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' in its procedural work, and ``24'' in its frequent use of multiple split-screens. Its willingness to dispatch characters ruthlessly - these folks are dealing with unsavory types, after all - makes it interesting, unpredictable and unlike traditional TV dramas. That makes it all the more addictive.

David Kronke, [phone]

david.kronke(at)dailynews.com

MI-5 - Three stars

What: British spies battle terrorism and bad guys.

Where: A&E

When: 9 and 10 tonight; also 11 p.m. Saturdays.

In a nutshell: Standard spy fare, elevated by unpredictability.

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Photo:

Matthew Macfadyen plays a spy whose girlfriend knows nothing of his line of business in ``MI-5.''