Originally slated to air as a Spectrum original, the British crime drama A Spy Among Friends has landed in the U.S. on MGM+, formerly known as Epix.
Based on Ben Macintyre‘s book, A Spy Among Friends explores the defection of notorious British intelligence officer and KGB double agent Kim Philby (Guy Pearce) through the prism of his complicated friendship and working relationship with MI6 colleague Nicholas Elliott (Damian Lewis). A Spy Among Friends co-stars include Adrian Edmondson, Stephen Kunken and Anna Maxwell Martin.
The six-part limited series commissioned by ITV Studios will debut December on ITVX in the U.K. before making its U.S. debut on MGM+ in 2023.
Earlier this summer, Spectrum’s parent company Charter Communications announced it was exiting the original programming market and had opted to shut down Spectrum Originals following the departure of executive Katherine Pope, who left to become President of Sony Pictures Television.
Alexander Cary, former Homeland executive producer, created the series and serves as executive producer alongside Lewis, who previously starred in the hit Showtime drama.
“Alex Cary has brilliantly adapted Ben Macintyre’s historical novel about friendship, loyalty, and betrayal. He, along with Nick Murphy, Damian Lewis, and the remarkable cast led by Lewis and Guy Pearce, have brought to life this riveting tale of two British spies whose deep personal bond and long friendship is challenged by duplicity and deception,” said Michael Wright, head of MGM+. “This series is emblematic of our new MGM+ brand and the rich, cinematic, and character-driven stories we aim to tell.”