The Spy (2019)
A gripping Netflix limited series following real-life Mossad agent Eli Cohen on a daring undercover mission inside Syria during the 1960s.
The Spy - Series Information
- Original Title: The Spy
- First Air Year: 2019
- Last Air Year: 2019
- Created by: Gideon Raff
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 54 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 6
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Arabic
- First Air Date: September 6, 2019 (United States - TV-MA), September 6, 2019 (Brazil - 16), September 6, 2019 (Spain - 16), September 6, 2019 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: Netflix
- Alternative Titles: The Spy (BA), 间谍 (CN), אלי (IL), Điệp viên Mossad (VN)
- Production Companies: Légende Films, LBF / Aplus Finance, The Spy Pictures, Nexus Factory, uMedia, G. Raff Productions
- Production Countries: Belgium, France, United Kingdom, United States of America
The Spy - Plot
In the 1960s, Israeli clerk-turned-secret agent Eli Cohen goes deep undercover inside Syria on a perilous, years-long mission to spy for Mossad.
The Spy - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at Eli Cohen's extraordinary double life:
Where to Watch The Spy
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The Spy - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Gideon Raff
Main Cast
- Sacha Baron Cohen
- Noah Emmerich
- Hadar Ratzon Rotem
- Alexander Siddig
- Waleed Zuaiter
- Nassim Lyes
- Moni Moshonov
- Yael Eitan
- Alona Tal
- Hicham Goullal
Writers
- Gideon Raff
- Max Perry
Executive Producers
- Sacha Baron Cohen
- Souad Lamriki
- Gideon Raff
- Bénédicte Bellocq
The Spy - FAQs
Is The Spy based on a true story?
Absolutely. The series dramatizes the real life of Eli Cohen, one of Israel's most celebrated intelligence operatives. In the early 1960s, Cohen infiltrated the highest levels of Syrian society and government under the alias Kamel Amin Thabeth, feeding critical intelligence to Mossad before being captured and executed in Damascus in 1965.
What happened to Eli Cohen at the end?
Eli Cohen was arrested by Syrian authorities in January 1965 after his radio transmissions were traced. Despite international appeals for clemency, he was publicly hanged in Damascus on May 18, 1965. His body was never returned to Israel, and efforts to recover his remains have continued for decades.
Where can you stream The Spy?
The Spy is available to stream on Netflix, including Netflix Standard with Ads. It can also be accessed through the PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel. Since it's a Netflix original limited series, Netflix remains the primary and most accessible platform for watching all six episodes.
How many episodes does The Spy have?
The Spy is a limited series consisting of six episodes, all released on Netflix on September 6, 2019. Each episode runs approximately 54 minutes, making the full series roughly five and a half hours — a tight, immersive watch that unfolds like a cinematic thriller.
Who plays Eli Cohen in The Spy?
Sacha Baron Cohen takes on the role of Eli Cohen, delivering a dramatic departure from his comedic work. He portrays both the spy's public persona as the charming Syrian socialite Kamel Amin Thabeth and his private life as a devoted husband and father, earning widespread critical praise for the performance.
Is The Spy worth watching?
For fans of espionage drama, it's a compelling watch. Sacha Baron Cohen's transformative performance anchors a tense, meticulously crafted story. Critics praised its atmosphere and authenticity, and the true-story foundation gives every scene extra weight. If you enjoy slow-burn spy thrillers rooted in history, The Spy delivers on nearly every front.
Who created and wrote The Spy series?
The series was created by Gideon Raff, the Israeli filmmaker also known for creating Prisoners of War, the show that inspired Homeland. He co-wrote the scripts alongside Max Perry. Raff also served as an executive producer, alongside Sacha Baron Cohen, Souad Lamriki, and Bénédicte Bellocq.
What are similar shows to The Spy?
If The Spy hooked you, The Night Manager, Homeland, and The Bureau offer similarly gripping undercover espionage drama. For a stylish French twist, Lupin is a great pick. Fans of true-story intelligence thrillers will also find The Agency: Central Intelligence and Alex Rider worth exploring.
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