
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.
Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of T... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 124 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | History | |||

It’s 1775 and after years of rising tensions, rebellion is about to break out in British North America. The 13 rebel colonies want to shake off rule from London and form a new nation: The United States of America. But with their Patriot army no match... more
Ed is the grandson of footballing legend Gordon Banks. He was a national icon, the only goalkeeper ever to win the soccer World Cup for England. But Ed’s heard a rumour: that in 1970, while defending the title, his granddad, his hero, was poisoned… b... more
What do you think of when someone mentions the word: spy? Thanks to James Bond, they're often thought of as sleek, sexy and thrill-seeking. But what really goes on in the mind of a secret agent like Václav Jelínek? Charlie Higson is joined author, le... more
It’s the mid-1980s and the Czechoslovak spy living posing as Erwin van Haarlem has spent years convincing the mother of the real Erwin that he is her long-lost son. Now his deception faces a new threat: Britain’s Security Service MI5 are on his tail.... more
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Almost all seasons are full of intrigue and it is told very well. Hands down one of the best wondery shows if not the best show overall.
Captivating enough, absolutely no idea what the Charlie Higson final episodes adds - easily avoided though. Advert cuts mid-sentence somewhat frustrating. Some of the background sound grates, e.g. oriental music to let you know you're in China, car doors slamming or engines starting etc.
Amazing storytelling! Intriguing and entertaining! Unparalleled in the world of podcasts. This is the first podcast I ever listened to..I’ve listened to every episode since and just wait with anticipation for the next. I’ve listened to many others since this but this is the standard setter!!
I love this show! It would be great to have an episode on Robert Hanson, one of the few spies who fooled the FBI
It’s very good, and I can be locked in for hours, but the transcript isn’t as accurate as I would like, especially with foreign names, which may be interpreted as racist. Still, love it overall!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #43 | |
Spotify | #29 | |
Apple Podcasts | #20 | |
Apple Podcasts | #37 | |
Spotify | #44 | |
Apple Podcasts | #33 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Listeners can expect cinematic, historically grounded espionage storytelling that blends deep archival work with provocative moral questions. Episodes frequently center on real-world intelligence operations, notable spies, and the broader political consequences of covert actions, often featuring conversations with investigators, authors, and experts. A standout aspect is the duo-host dynamic, with one host guiding the narrative while the other challenges assumptions, creating a distinctive rhythm that blends drama with rigorous research. The show tends to explore less-covered angles of famous episodes, taking listeners from Cold War intrigue to mid-20th century operations, all delivered with strong production and clear storytelling that app... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with The Spy Who:
1. British Scandal
2. True Spies: Espionage | Investigation | Crime | Murder | Detective | Politics
3. American Scandal
4. Legacy
5. American History Tellers
The Spy Who launched 2 years ago and published 124 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on The Spy Who include:
1. Kayla Parcells
2. Cara McGoogan
3. Natalie Cochran
4. Justin Hawkins
5. Elliot Higgins
6. Frank Close
7. Aimen Dean
8. Rick Stroud
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