
The Spy Who
These are stories you were never meant to hear. The invisible but vital work of the world’s intelligence services: secret operatives playing to very different rules. The Spy Who, hosted by Indira Varma and Raza Jaffrey, takes you deep inside that shadow world to meet spies who risked everything in the national interest – or, sometimes, their own.Listen to The Spy Who ad-free on Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-spy-who now.
Latest episodes

Jul 1, 2025 • 33min
The Spy Who Saved MI5 (Encore) | No Return | 3
There’s panic at MI5 headquarters. Oleg Lyalin, their man inside the KGB, has just been arrested for drunk driving putting Operation Foot in jeopardy. But as MI5 races to reach him before the KGB can, Lyalin is working out a daring new plan that will force the British security service to place its trust in him.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

6 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 37min
The Spy Who Saved MI5 (Encore) | The Pressure Cooker | 2
Oleg Lyalin's tangled web of love and espionage takes center stage as he juggles multiple identities. Tension escalates with a KGB investigator sent to London, putting his secrets at risk. British officials debate the fraught decision to expel Soviet spies amidst rising threats. Emotional turmoil grips both spies and handlers, exposing the psychological complexities of their dangerous game. Finally, a night of recklessness forces Oleg to navigate police scrutiny while striving to maintain his mission's integrity.

Jun 17, 2025 • 37min
The Spy Who Saved MI5 (Encore) | The Spider and the Fly | 1
MI5 is on its knees at the dawn of the 1970s: Soviet spies are running free around the country and the government won’t boot them out for fear of upsetting Moscow. But the danger from inaction is growing because a spy from the KGB’s most-secret department has just been posted to London. His name is Oleg Lyalin and he’s on a mission to take down Britain’s nuclear defences.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 10, 2025 • 30min
The Spy Who Ran Mossad’s Fake Hotel | Gad Shimron on his Double Life as a Windsurfing Coach | 4
Ex-Mossad agent Gad Shimron spent three years at the Arous Diving Resort, in war-torn Sudan. He was hotel staff by day, taking guests out for sailing trips and windsurfing lessons. But by night, he was helping fellow Mossad agent Dani Limor smuggle thousands of persecuted Ethiopian Jews through Sudan and to Jerusalem. He speaks to actor and spy novelist Charlie Higson about this dual life, living under the threat of being discovered, and surviving gunfire by the Sudanese military.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

8 snips
Jun 3, 2025 • 41min
The Spy Who Ran Mossad’s Fake Hotel | The Return | 3
Hold onto your seats as a Mossad operative faces a life-or-death moment in 1980s Sudan. The tension rises during a daring airlift to save Ethiopian Jewish refugees. Quick thinking and resilience shine through the chaos, leading to a touching celebration years later. Discover the struggles behind Operation Brothers and the historical journey of Ethiopian Jews. Plus, find out about a mysterious Mossad agent leading a double life in the next installment. Intrigue, bravery, and humanitarianism collide in this captivating tale.

6 snips
May 27, 2025 • 39min
The Spy Who Ran Mossad’s Fake Hotel | Sun, Sand and Spies | 2
In a daring twist, a Mossad operative proposes turning a deserted Sudanese resort into a cover for rescuing Ethiopian Jews stranded in refugee camps. The operation is fraught with tension as negotiations unfold and the stakes rise. A dramatic sea evacuation showcases a commando's bravery when a woman falls overboard, intertwining themes of hope and identity amidst the chaos. Tension mounts as they board the Navy ship Bat Ghalim, leading to a gripping tale of courage and covert operations in a perilous landscape.

42 snips
May 20, 2025 • 44min
The Spy Who Ran Mossad’s Fake Hotel | The Escape | 1
A secret SOS triggers a thrilling Mossad mission to rescue Ethiopian Jews from a dangerous Marxist regime. The podcast dives into the heart-pounding escape plan through hostile territories, detailing the personal sacrifices of operatives. It captures the desperate journey of a Jewish teacher selling his ring for help, while Mossad agents work in the shadows to ensure safe evacuations. The tension and bravery showcase the high stakes involved in a covert operation aimed at saving lives.

13 snips
May 13, 2025 • 35min
The Spy Who Dressed the Queen | The Royal Family's spy links | 4
Richard Aldrich and Rory Cormac, esteemed scholars and co-authors of 'The Secret Royals', explore the British royal family's intriguing ties to espionage. They discuss how Queen Victoria and Elizabeth II operated as intelligence handlers, accessing sensitive information and influencing national security. The conversation touches on spies visiting Buckingham Palace, Princess Diana's complex relationship with the intelligence community, and how modern royals like King Charles engage with secret services today. Secrets steeped in history reveal a legacy of royal intrigue.

28 snips
May 6, 2025 • 41min
The Spy Who Dressed the Queen | Reckoning Day | 3
Travel back to January 1944 as Hardy Amies grapples with the stakes of espionage in WWII. Discover the intense planning behind liberating Antwerp, where daring SOE agents take on Nazi defenses. The podcast dives deep into the emotional scars left on Brussels after the war, revealing the personal struggles of those who survived. An intriguing tale of Prosper De Zieta unfolds, showcasing his hidden identity while echoing the glamour of a fashion designer whose work graces Queen Elizabeth II. Explore loyalty and betrayal in the intertwining worlds of royalty and intelligence.

24 snips
Apr 29, 2025 • 42min
The Spy Who Dressed the Queen | Rat Week | 2
Armed with a new secret weapon, Amies compiles a kill list to deal with Nazi collaborators, including the traitor taking down his agents one by one. Will the Belgians back his scheme? Some gun sound effects courtesy of Mike Burns & Fabien Compos of youtube.com/@BlokeontheRangeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.