'A Spy Among Friends' a Damian Lewis drama, is Acquired by MGM+

The series, which was supposed to air as a Spectrum original, has been acquired by the premium cable network/streamer for the domestic market.

After being set to debut as a Spectrum original, the Damian Lewis thriller A Spy Among Friends has now been acquired by MGM+, the premium cable network and streamer formerly known as Epix.

One of the shows that were left without a home after Charter shut down its Spectrum Originals label after executive Katherine Pope left was the six-episode series that reunites the Billions star with his old Homeland executive producer Alexander Cary. Pope left cable provider Charter to become the head of Spy's independent studio Sony Pictures Television. In her new position as head of Sony TV, Pope sold the show to MGM+ after having already purchased it while working at Charter.

Spy, a Cary creation, is based on Ben Macintyre's #1 New York Times bestseller. Guy Pearce, who took over for Dominic West, who was originally in talks for the role, plays a British intelligence officer and KGB double agent who defected, and the series centers on his friendship and relationship with an MI6 friend and colleague. It is produced by Sony and BritBox parent company ITV Studios and Veritas Entertainment Group (Lewis).

Lewis's new job is her follow-up to her appearance in Showtime's Billions. Producing together are Lewis, Cary, Patrick Spence, Nick Murphy, Chrissy Skinns, Bob Bookman, Alan Gasmer, and Peter Jaysen.

The program was originally scheduled to premiere this fall, first on Spectrum Originals in the United States and subsequently online at ITVX (which includes the former BritBox). It will debut first on ITVX on December 8 and then, at a later point on MGM+ in 2023, on that network.

"Ben Macintyre's historical tale about friendship, devotion, and betrayal has been masterfully adapted by Alex Cary. He has brought to life this compelling narrative of two British agents whose close connection and deep emotional bond are tested by lies and deceit, along with Nick Murphy, Damian Lewis, and the outstanding ensemble lead by Lewis and Guy Pearce, said Michael Wright, head of MGM+.

This series is a perfect example of the rich, cinematic, and character-driven stories we strive to make with our new MGM+ brand.

Spy is the second Charter series to find a new home in the United States overall. Following Charter's dissolution, Showtime acquired the limited series George & Tammy. The Jessica Chastain and Michael Shannon-starring series was supposed to debut on Spectrum first and then nine months later on Paramount+/Paramount Network, but it was switched to Paramount Global's high-end cable network Showtime.

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