The Spy

Set in the 1960s, a young Israeli clerk named Eli Cohen steps into a dangerous double life. Under the cover of ordinary work, he becomes a covert emissary for Mossad, traveling deep into the Syrian political world. Over years, he builds a web of forged identities, forged friendships, and critical access that could shape regional events. The show follows his painstaking deception, the toll on his personal life, and the constant risk of exposure as his undercover role influences alliances and rivals. It balances forensic detail with character drama, showing how one man inside a hostile regime can alter the course of history without ever revealing his true self.

The Spy premiered in 2019 as a Netflix limited series created by Gideon Raff. It reimagines the life of Eli Cohen, whose undercover work inside Syria in the 1960s reshaped regional intelligence. The production leans on Raff's experience with tense political thrillers and features a cast led by Sacha Baron Cohen in a rare dramatic turn, with Noah Emmerich and Alexander Siddig alongside.

Critics have praised the series for its disciplined pace and strong performances, with Cohen delivering a nuanced portrayal that blends conviction with inner conflict. The drama centers on identity under pressure, loyalty to country versus the cost to family, and the ethics of spying. Viewers enter a world where routine settings conceal danger. The writing treats intelligence work with gravity and avoids glamor while showing personal costs.

Beyond its tense plot the series sparked discussion about the human cost of intelligence work and how famous figures are remembered. Sacha Baron Cohen shifts from his comic persona to a solemn portrayal, drawing attention to Eli Cohen's audacious undercover life. The show contributes to conversations about Mossad's history and mid century conflicts in the region, inviting viewers to weigh power secrecy and the price of loyalty.

It has not been widely recognized with major nominations or wins, though Cohen's dramatic turn and the production craft drew attention. No major prizes are listed in major databases.