“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1” star Indira Varma and “Homeland’s” Raza Jaffrey are set to co-host a new espionage podcast for Wondery.
“The Spy Who” will explore the secret lives of covert operatives and recount true tales of derring-do and jaw-dropping escapades.
“Each season goes deep into the real-life story of a special agent, unearthing daring missions, double crosses and dangerous liaisons,” reads the logline.
Season 1 is titled “The Spy Who Inspired 007” and tells the story of Serbian spook Dusko Popov, who worked for MI5, MI6 and the FBI during World War II.
With a reputation for women, gambling and intrepidness, it’s no wonder Popov is said to be the inspiration for James Bond. Legend has it that when Bond creator Ian Fleming saw the Serbian spy place an “outrageous” bet in a casino one night, the seeds for 007 were planted.
“From discovering the secrets of Japanese interest in Pearl Harbour to passing off disinformation to Germany around the D-Day landings. What is the truth behind the legend of Popov? And is he truly the spy on whom 007 was based?” asks the podcast.
In the last episode Varma and Jaffrey will be joined by the relative of a real-life spy, Charlotte Philby, whose grandfather was Soviet double agent Kim Philby. Charlotte will interview an espionage expert connected to the story of Popov.
“This gripping new series fuses Wondery’s cinematic approach to storytelling with a razor-sharp script, creating a thrilling new podcast with global appeal,” said Jessica Radburn, head of international podcast content at Wondery. “Our brilliant hosts Indira and Raza will plant listeners in the heat of the action, taking you on a journey deep into the mysterious world of espionage, intelligence and undercover agents.”
“The Spy Who” is written by Yellow Ant while Vespucci provided production, casting and sound design services.