True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics
SPYSCAPE
True Spies takes you inside the world's greatest espionage and detective operations. Our hosts Hayley Atwell, Vanessa Kirby, Sophia Di Martino, Daisy Ridley and Rhiannon Neads talk to the real spies behind the missions. What do they know? What are their skills? And what would you do in their position? We explore and investigate real life thrillers, mysteries and crimes - stories that prove truth is stranger than fiction! These stories cover lies, murder, theft, sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll. You’ll meet experts from the top intelligence agencies including FBI, CIA, MI5, MI6 (SIS), KGB, GRU, Mossad and many others. You’ll discover characters who spied because of money, ideology, coercion or just plain old ego. And, if you’d like to dig deeper into the world of secrets, and test your own secret intelligence skills, head over to spyscape.com for articles, games, experiences, puzzles and videos.For episodes first and ad-free, subscribe to Spyscape+ at: plus.Spyscape.comA Cup & Nuzzle production. Series producers: Gemma Newby, Joe Foley. Music: Nick Ryan.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 1, 2025 • 28min
True Spies - Brief Histories: Women in Espionage
NEW from True Spies: Brief Histories. From 7th Century China to Nazi-occupied France, discover a selection of stories from the long history of female spies.
In Brief Histories, the new monthly special from True Spies, series producer Joe Foley is your guide to this secret world - alongside a treasure-trove of expert knowledge from our archive.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets and skills. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 30, 2025 • 45min
Chasing Chi, Part One: The Engineer | FBI
By 2004, FBI Special Agent Jim Gaylord has seen a lot of counterintelligence operations go right. But he's also seen plenty go wrong, especially when it comes to the People's Republic of China. But now, he has a chance to take down one of China's most prolific collectors of US military tech - and he's determined to take it.
In Part One, Jim sets out to take down Chi Mak - an engineer with access to top secret Naval technology.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Joe Foley.
James E. Gaylord is the author of Chasing Chi: The FBI's Groundbreaking Pursuit of China's Most Prolific Spy Family. Available for pre-order now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 23, 2025 • 48min
True Spies Classic: Blood on the Waterside | MI5
In this classic episode of True Spies, Vanessa Kirby meets a spy who infiltrated the political wing of the Irish Republican movement. Willie Carlin risked his life in Derry, Northern Ireland, on a daily basis to provide the UK with intelligence.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets and skills. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Gemma Newby. Produced by Joe Foley. Music by Nick Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 9min
The Secret Policeman | MI6
Lawyer and intelligence historian David Burke reveals a shadowy chapter in the story of Anglo-Irish relations in the 20th century.
Irish police intelligence analyst Patrick Crinnion was a man of rare intelligence. He had also been groomed from a young age to spy for the United Kingdom. When the Troubles in Northern Ireland broke out, he was feeding information on the IRA to Westminster. But the IRA had its own, highly effective spymaster. In time, both men would pay a heavy price for their part in an old and dangerous game.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Joe Foley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 9, 2025 • 33min
True Spies Debriefs - Andy Greenberg on Sandworm
WIRED journalist Andy Greenberg has spent years reporting from the murky world of hackers, spies, and cyber warriors. His 2019 book Sandworm tells the true story of the Kremlin-backed cyber criminals that became one of the most destructive hacking groups in history. This week, True Spies producer Morgan Childs sits down with Andy to talk about the Sandworm group - and what their campaigns reveal about the future of warfare itself.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 4, 2025 • 29min
True Spies - Brief Histories: Tradecraft
NEW from True Spies: Brief Histories. From Egyptian codebreaking, to USB sticks with the power to cripple nuclear facilities, this week hear the long evolution of tradecraft.
In Brief Histories, the new monthly special from True Spies, series producer Joe Foley is your guide to the evolution of this secret world - alongside a treasure-trove of expert knowledge from our archive.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets and skills. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 2, 2025 • 43min
True Spies Classic: The Sociopathic Spy | CIA
Jim Lawler, a former CIA operations officer with 25 years of experience, shares his thrilling journey of recruiting spies. He reveals the delicate balance of charm and manipulation required in espionage, alongside the emotional tactics used to forge connections. With stories spanning breathtaking dining experiences and moral dilemmas, Lawler dives deep into the ethical labyrinth of spies. Hear about the psychological complexities he faced as he navigated romance and risk while building trust with critical intelligence assets.
Aug 26, 2025 • 43min
True Spies Debriefs: John Taylor on the Psychology of Spies
John Taylor is an author, lecturer and advisor on handling human sources of secret intelligence. He joins True Spies producer Morgan Childs to discuss the psychology of those who play the espionage game - agent and handler alike.
From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Morgan Childs.
John Taylor is a senior Research Fellow at Kings College London and the author of The Psychology of Spies and Spying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 19, 2025 • 51min
The Great Illegals, Part Two: The Ambassador | NKVD
Shaun Walker, a journalist specializing in Russian espionage and author of 'The Illegals,' dives into the thrilling world of Iosif Grigulevich, a cunning spy embedded in Italy's diplomatic circles. He discusses Grigulevich's rise amid Stalin's purges and the botched assassination of Trotsky, showcasing espionage's dark and dangerous twists. The tension between Tito and Stalin is examined through a lens of political maneuvering and identity transformation. Shaun reveals how espionage mirrors complexity in human relationships, leaving listeners on the edge of their seats.
Aug 13, 2025 • 23min
True Spies - Brief Histories: Information Warfare
Dive into the fascinating world of information warfare, where disinformation and propaganda intertwine with public perception. Discover how ancient Roman strategies still echo in today’s media landscape, shaping narratives for political power. Learn about key figures and events that evolved the art of misinformation from the printing press to modern digital tactics. Plus, uncover the chilling history of propaganda in interwar Germany and how AI now complicates the fight against false narratives.
