‘A Spy Among Friends’ release date: Damian Lewis stars in new Cold War series
It’s been announced when A Spy Among Friends premieres in the UK!
Based on Ben Macintyre’s book, the new six-part mini-series is described as an “epic telling of one of the greatest spy stories ever.”
Leading the cast are Damian Lewis (The Forsyte Saga) and Guy Pearce (Memento).
Watch the trailer here:
Pearce previously commented: “It’s an honour to be a part of this thrilling project. I’ve always been fascinated by the intriguing MI6 history and getting to go on this journey with Damian makes it all the more brilliant.”
The cast also includes Anna Maxwell Martin (Line of Duty), Stephen Kunken (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Adrian Edmondson (The Pact).
Originally set to star Dominic West (SAS Rogue Heroes) when it was first announced as a BritBox commission in 2020, the spy drama reunites Damian Lewis with former Homeland executive producer Alexander Cary.
Filming began last autumn in London and Romania, and it’s now been confirmed that A Spy Among Friends will debut alongside the launch of ITVX next month.
The new free streaming platform is replacing ITV Hub as the online home of all ITV content in the UK.
A Spy Among Friends will be available to watch on ITVX from Thursday 8th December.
It’s expected that the show will eventually be broadcast on ITV, but not for quite a while.
Watch a clip here:
Writer Alexander Cary has explained why wanted adapted the story: “How could I resist the opportunity to dramatise the true story of Nicholas Elliott (Damian Lewis) and Kim Philby (Guy Pearce) — two spies and lifelong friends, one of whom was betraying the other all along?”
He said: “A friendship that resulted in the gutting of British and American intelligence at the height of the Cold War and shaped the field of play for the dangerous game against Russia that we’re still trying to win today.
“Macintyre’s books about spies from recent history are relevant and exciting because they examine the larger universal themes of human behavior that drive individuals among us, and like us, to excel in the murky world of espionage and, for better or worse, leave a lasting impact on the world.”
Watch another clip:
Also coming up on ITVX, we’ve got period drama The Confessions of Frannie Langton, the feature-length finale of Plebs, Helena Bonham Carter’s Nolly, and the fifth season of crime drama Unforgotten.
Stonehouse, reuniting Spooks stars Keeley Hawes and Matthew Macfadyen, will premiere on ITVX too in 2023.
The three-part drama tells the story of disgraced Labour minister John Stonehouse, a high-flying member of Harold Wilson’s Government, who disappeared in 1974 and swam off into the sea, intending to fake his own death.
A Spy Amongst Friends will be streaming in the US soon on Spectrum Originals.
Ben Macintyre’s book is based on personal papers and never-before-seen British intelligence files.
The series isn’t the only TV series based on one of Macintyre’s book to air this autumn!
The BBC’s action drama SAS Rogue Heroes also premiered recently, and begins in the US this weekend.
Ben Macintyre’s book A Spy Among Friends is available on Amazon.