CIA – Damian Lewis

Spy Wars

Spy Wars Now Available on History Play

On June 3, 2021 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Critical and Remarkable Intelligence Operations

by Staff | Sky History | June 3, 2021

Damian Lewis: Spy Wars is available now on History Play. Starring Damian Lewis in his first factual role, Damian Lewis: Spy Wars reveals remarkable true stories behind the most gripping and significant international spy operations of the last forty years. Now available on HISTORY Play, Amazon Prime UK subscribers can watch the whole series for just £0.99 along with other award-winning Sky HISTORY documentaries and factual series.

A first in the worldwide factual genre, the new series focuses on many of the most critical and remarkable operations which have defined intelligence warfare. Damian explores the action and the context of key incidents which, in several instances, brought the world to the brink of war. By presenting an all-encompassing 360-degree perspective, each case is unpacked by experts and former spies on all sides: ex-Mossad, ex-CIA, ex-KGB and ex-MI6. Damian provides an unprecedented insight into the spy operations which literally shaped today’s geo-political climate.

Continue reading Spy Wars Now Available on History Play

Spy Wars

Spy Wars Streaming on Paramount Plus – Feb 14, 2021

On February 14, 2021February 14, 2021 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Spy on Spies

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | February 14, 2021

Who can spy on spies? You can as you stream Spy Wars With Damian Lewis on Paramount+ March 4. #ParamountPlus #PeakStreaming pic.twitter.com/gyrcm5Wbpa

— Paramount+ (@paramountplus) February 13, 2021

As part of the Smithsonian Channel family, you can now stream Spy Wars with Damian Lewis via CBS All Access/Paramount+ here beginning March 4, 2021. Paramount Plus is both a new video streaming service made for a global audience, and a rebranding of the existing CBS All Access service.

Visit the Smithsonian Channel here for more information about the series.
*Spy Wars is also available to stream on Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu.
For fans in Germany and Austria, here is how you can watch the series in your country.

Spy Wars

Spy Wars with Damian Lewis Now Streaming – Nov 20, 2020

On November 20, 2020November 25, 2020 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Operation Binge Watch

by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | November 20, 2020

Operation: #BingeWatch starts NOW.

Press ▶️ on thrilling stories of the KGB, MI6, FBI, and CIA. Spy Wars with Damian Lewis is now streaming on @CBSAllAccess. #CBSAllAccess @lewis_damian pic.twitter.com/bvW1KXLPIs

— Smithsonian Channel (@SmithsonianChan) November 20, 2020

As part of the Smithsonian Channel family, you can now stream Spy Wars with Damian Lewis via CBS All Access here. Plans are as low as $5.99/month and you can start a free trial with your first 7 days complimentary. You can cancel or change your plan at any time. Watch all 8 episodes in 7 days! Find out episode information here.

Print Media Review Spy Wars

Wall Street Journal Review: Spy Wars With Damian Lewis – March 19, 2020

On March 19, 2020 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Espionage in the Spotlight

by Dorothy Rabinowitz | The Wall Street Journal | March 19, 2020

Smithsonian Channel’s series tells shockingly true stories of the clandestine variety. In 1968, a loyal officer of the KGB is so shaken by the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia that he becomes an operative for British and American intelligence—one, “Spy Wars” reveals (begins Sunday, 8 p.m., Smithsonian Channel), destined to be of historic importance. This is the saga of Oleg Gordievsky—subject of the first episode of this eight-part weekly series, and a rich portrait it is. When his role of many years as a spy for the British and Americans finally becomes known to the Kremlin, quick exfiltration becomes an urgent necessity. His 1985 getaway in the trunk of a car driven by unflappable MI6 agents, who get him safely to Finland despite suspicious Russian border guards—and the howls of their alert dogs, who quiet down when the car’s driver throws them a treat—is an escape sequence to cherish.

In 2001, Robert Hanssen—one of the FBI’s most trusted agents—is unmasked as the mole who had, for 20 years, betrayed the identities of American assets in the Soviet Union and then Russia, thus ensuring their deaths at the hands of execution squads.

Continue reading Wall Street Journal Review: Spy Wars With Damian Lewis – March 19, 2020

Interviews Print Media Spy Wars

Lewis Pulls Covers Off Espionage – Nov 4, 2019

On November 4, 2019November 4, 2019 By Gingersnap Comments Off

From Espionage to History

by Debashine Thangevelo | Cape Argus / IOL / International | November 4, 2019

Damian Lewis is a recognizable face on the big and small screen. Of late, he has been praised for his roles as King Henry VIII in Wolf Hall and Bobby Axelrod in Billions. He was also cast as Steve McQueen in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in…Hollywood. And let us not forget his role as Nicholas Brody in Homeland.

Having covered a gamut of genres, from espionage to history, it does make his latest stint as a narrator for History’s Damian Lewis: Spy Wars almost surreal.

“This Mossad mission, I’m sure 98% of people watching won’t have heard of this story. So, I think it’s a little glimpse through a window of what they did; it’s an incredible story. You will sit and watch and be utterly engaged. I think that’s true of all our stories. Even the Argo story – we come in from a slightly different angle with a bit more backstory, from the intelligence part of it rather than the film making aspect of it.”

On being a part of this project he adds, “As soon as you put yourself in front of a camera, or in front of an audience, as a performer, there’s a whole intricate web of thoughts that run through your head – how you want to be presented and how can you successfully be a credible part of your show, your story, whatever it is – and we had to work quite quickly.”

“I was flying in and out of New York from Billions and we had a budget, obviously, we had to be aware of.”

Continue reading Lewis Pulls Covers Off Espionage – Nov 4, 2019

In Development/ Pre-Production News Print Media Spy Wars

Broadcasters Sign Up for A+E’s Damian Lewis: Spy Wars – Oct 11, 2019

On October 11, 2019 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Going Global

by Joseph O’Halloran | Rapid TV News | October 11, 2019 -and-
by Peter White | Deadline | October 11, 2019

As we head into the leading global content trade show and world’s entertainment market MIPCOM 2019 next week, A+E Networks and A+E Networks UK have signed a slew of top international broadcasters for its latest factual co-production, Damian Lewis: Spy Wars.

Earlier this year we reported here that Spy Wars was heading to the Smithsonian Channel for US markets, a joint venture between CBS Corporation’s Showtime and the Smithsonian Institute. And now it seems other broadcasters will be joining Smithsonian Channel’s lead. The docu-drama currently airing on History UK and Blaze in the UK will now be available in the following markets: Blue Ant (Canada); POP TV (Slovenia); Bilibil.com (China); TVNZ (New Zealand); Historia and Atresmedia (Spain). A+E Networks says that multiple other deals are in negotiation. No word yet when television viewing audiences in other countries will see Damian hit their small screens, but rumor has it early 2020 for US customers.

In the series, award-winning actor Damian Lewis unpacks some of the most thrilling covert missions in modern-day history with the help of new declassified information, high-profile experts, and intelligence officers who were there. The program ranges from the most notorious spy exchange of recent times to the fake film production that freed Americans during the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis to in-depth profiles of the world’s most skilled and lethal double agents and has been described as James Bond meets every John le Carré thriller you’ve ever read.

Damian Lewis: Spy Wars is executive produced by Alaska TV’s Chris Fouracre, Ian Lamarra, and Paul Sommers in association with Lewis’ own recently launched Rookery Productions with brother Gareth Lewis.

Read the rest of the original article at Rapid TV News
Secondary Source: Deadline

Print Media Spy Wars

Boarding School Creates a Mild Sociopathy That’s Helpful to the Life of Espionage – Oct 4, 2019

On October 4, 2019 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Damian Makes His First Documentary Spy Wars With His Brother

by Lisa Campbell | iNews | October 4, 2019

Few British actors have set foot inside Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, Virginia, but as the star of the American spy thriller, Homeland, Damian Lewis was granted unprecedented access as part of his research.

While he jokes that his meeting with the director of the CIA, John Brennan, is “classified”, the story demonstrates his ability to get under the skin of characters through keen observation of the tiniest details. He describes the “incredibly poker-faced field operatives who had revealed only the smallest increments of expression and emotion, until Brennan walked in and the temperature in the room rose instantaneously.”

It’s an experience that stood him in good stead for his latest project, Damian Lewis: Spy Wars, which also marks his first foray into factual television.

The eight-part series – the first to come out of Lewis’ newly-launched Rookery Productions – airs on History from Monday in the UK and showcases the true stories and remarkable characters behind some of the most important international spy operations of recent years.

“I’ve done a lot of research over my career for Homeland and a movie I made, Our Kind of Traitor, and have read my John le Carre like everyone else. I enjoy the genre and thought it was an opportunity to look behind these popular stories and find out something a bit more intimate and personal about the people themselves, their decisions and the ramifications on global politics,” he says.

Continue reading Boarding School Creates a Mild Sociopathy That’s Helpful to the Life of Espionage – Oct 4, 2019

Print Media Spy Wars

The Real Stories Behind Some of the World’s Most Intriguing Espionage Cases – Sept 27, 2019

On September 27, 2019 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Spy Wars: kNOw More Secrets

by Nicole Lampert | Weekend Magazine | September 27, 2019

Damian Lewis thinks he would probably make a good spy, partly because of his schooling. Some of Britain’s best known spies – and traitors – went to public school, and the Eton- educated actor isn’t surprised.

‘If you’re sent away from home at the age of eight and you’re asked to cope with that situation, I think there’s an instinctive compartmentalising of one’s emotional life,’ he says.

‘That’s very helpful to a covert life of espionage. It helps you develop a mild sociopathy, which is clearly what spies need to have. Often they’re living multiple lives, not just double ones.

‘I think I’d be a good spy, better than James Bond, who’s a rubbish spy,’ he adds, despite being one of the favourites to take over the role from Daniel Craig.

‘What’s brilliant about Bond is his recovery. Each movie is two hours of him getting himself out of a massive mistake he made quite early on.’

It’s little wonder he’s fascinated by spies. He won acclaim as soldier-turned-potential-terrorist Nick Brody in Homeland, and was cast as MI6 agent Hector in the film adaptation of John le Carré novel Our Kind Of Traitor.

But as outlandish as those stories were, they don’t compare to the twists and turns in the real spy dramas he explores in his first documentary series, Damian Lewis: Spy Wars.

Continue reading The Real Stories Behind Some of the World’s Most Intriguing Espionage Cases – Sept 27, 2019

In Development/ Pre-Production Print Media Spy Wars

Spy Wars Heading To Smithsonian Channel – May 20, 2019

On May 20, 2019May 20, 2019 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Showtime and Smithsonian Institute on the Brink of Closing a Deal For Spy Wars

by Peter White | Deadline | May 20, 2019

EXCLUSIVE: Damian Lewis’ spy documentary series is heading to the Smithsonian Channel. The network, which is a joint venture between CBS Corporation’s Showtime and the Smithsonian Institute, is on the brink of closing a deal for Damian Lewis: Spy Wars.

Deadline understands that top brass are keen to keep the British actor’s latest project in the CBS Corp family. It comes after Lewis’ Billions was renewed by Showtime for a fifth season following strong numbers for the financial thriller.

The series, which is the Homeland star’s first foray into factual television, is an eight-part documentary series about spies that was originally commission by A+E Networks’ UK network History. The docu-drama will tell the true stories behind some of the most important international spy operations of the last forty years.

Continue reading Spy Wars Heading To Smithsonian Channel – May 20, 2019

In Development/ Pre-Production Print Media Spy Wars

First Look at ‘Damian Lewis: Spy Wars’ – April 25, 2019

On April 25, 2019April 25, 2019 By Gingersnap Comments Off

International Spy Stories

by Tess Lamacraft | What’s On TV | April 25, 2019

Actor Damian Lewis will be delving into some of the most fascinating international spy stories for his new docu-drama series.

Here’s the first sneak peek of Homeland actor Damian Lewis looking very suave in an exclusive new batch of shots taken for his brand new docu-drama, Damian Lewis: Spy Wars set to air this autumn on A+E Networks / History Channel.

The new eight-part series for the History channel, sees the Hollywood star delve into the remarkable true stories of some of the most gripping international spy operations that have taken place over the last forty years, from the Cold War to the War on Terror.

Shot on location in London, Israel and Moscow and packed full of espionage, surveillance and undercover operations, the series will use innovative reconstructions to lift the lid on the spy stories and features Damian, meeting and talking to former spooks from MI6, the CIA, KGB and Mossad.

It will be the first foray into documentaries, for the 48-year old actor who not only fronts the series but is also a producer on it.

The series is a co-production of A + E Netwoks UK. VP of Programming Dan Korn said: “We’re thrilled to have Damian Lewis on History for his first foray into factual television and with the ramping up of intelligence activities on all sides, and renewed tensions between East and West, there can be no better time to explore some of the most iconic spy operations of recent years.”

Read the rest of the original article at What’s On TV

In Development/ Pre-Production Print Media Spy Wars

Damian Lewis: Spy Wars – April 9, 2019

On April 9, 2019April 25, 2019 By Gingersnap Comments Off

Factual: Covering Stories From the Past 40 Years

by Broadcast Now | April 9, 2019

As reported earlier, Damian is turning his talents to factual in Damian Lewis: Spy Wars. The Billions star has signed on to produce and front the eight-part docu-drama series set in the world of espionage.

British producer Alaska TV is attached to co-produce the series with Lewis’ new firm Rookery Pictures, with first-run rights going to A+E Networks UK-owned pay-TV channel History. A+E Networks International is co-funder and has sales rights.

Former Miramax exec Richard Tulk-Hart was hired as managing director of international content sales and co-productions at A+E Networks International in 2017 to lead a push into co-created shows, and this series is the first factual fruit of that strategy.

Continue reading Damian Lewis: Spy Wars – April 9, 2019