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A+E Networks® and A+E Networks® UK have partnered on a factual co-production, Damian Lewis: SPY WARS (W/T).  The ground-breaking and revelatory series is produced by Alaska TV in association with Lewis’ own recently launched Rookery Productions. A+E Networks has global distribution rights and will introduce the new factual series to the international marketplace at MIPTV in Cannes this April. The series will air in the UK locally on HISTORY®. The announcement was made by Patrick Vien, EMD, International, A+E Networks, and Dan Korn, VP of Programming at A+E Networks UK.

Featuring Damian Lewis in his first docu-drama role, this new 8x60 factual series will reveal the remarkable true stories behind some of the most gripping and important international spy operations of the last forty years. Packed full of espionage, surveillance, undercover work, and covert operations, the series brings forth these real events as well as the profound personal and geopolitical consequences for all involved. Utilizing innovative and highly stylized reconstructions, Spy Wars (W/T) is shot on location in London, Moscow and Israel. Damian Lewis is our guide through each in-depth episode that investigates the Cold War through to the ‘war on terror’ and the renewed espionage hostilities of present day.

Truly a first in the worldwide factual genre, the new series focuses on many of the most critical and remarkable mega operations which have defined intelligence warfare. Damian Lewis 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 view as 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.

Throughout the series, we meet the people who were involved in these extraordinary cases, as they describe not just what they did and how they did it, but also why they did it, and how their actions affected them and those closest to them.

Patrick Vien, Executive Managing Director, International, A+E Networks said: ‘Damian Lewis: Spy Wars (W/T)’ takes an unparalleled, wide-ranging approach to unraveling the fascinating world of global espionage, with an incredibly ambitious production that aligns perfectly with our strategy to deliver premium content for a global audience. On the heels of the announcement of our first scripted co-production, ‘Miss Scarlet and The Duke,’ we are especially pleased to be working with our colleagues at A+E Networks UK together with such top-tier talent as Damian Lewis and the extremely creative team at Alaska TV, to deliver a series worthy of the A+E Networks pedigree.

The series has been commissioned by Dan Korn, VP of Programming at A+E Networks UK, and Diana Carter, Commissioning Editor and Head of Talent at A+E Networks UK

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.

The executive producers for Alaska TV are Chris Fouracre, Ian Lamarra, Paul Sommers, with Gareth Lewis for Rookery Productions

Exec Producer Chris Fouracre said: Working with Damian is fantastically exciting for Alaska TV as well as firmly establishing us as producers of really creative docu-drama.

Creative Director Ian Lamarra said: This series continues Alaska TV’s track record of bringing the biggest names to unscripted television.

Damian Lewis: SPY WARS (w/t) is an Alaska TV production in association with Rookery Productions. The new series will be broadcast in the UK on HISTORY® in 2019 and will be available on Sky, Virgin, BT and TalkTalk. A+E Networks will distribute internationally.