The Spy Who • Wondery

Dive into the world of espionage with "The Spy Who" as Indira Varma takes us through the complex webs woven by Dusko Popov, a World War II intelligence operative. This particular episode uncovers the intricacies of Popov's eroding faith in the FBI, spotlighting his confrontations and the consequent perils he faced—challenges that question loyalty and the high stakes of spy work during wartime. Popov's interactions with the FBI reveal a partnership fraught with suspicion and the potential costs of espionage on personal safety and international relationships.

However, Popov's story isn't solely entrenched in the shadows of spycraft; it's also a tale of love and glamour. Revisiting a relationship with the alluring Simone Simon, Popov's life flickers between the glitter of Hollywood and the gloom of a spy’s existence as it is thrust into the public eye. Meanwhile, MI5 endeavors to disentangle him from the FBI's influence, highlighting the transatlantic complexities within Allied spy networks. As the narrative unfolds, "The Spy Who" offers listeners a riveting account of Popov's courageous choices, the intricate deception operations leading up to D-Day, and the fragile dynamics of trust and treachery that define the clandestine battlefield.

Indira Varma takes listeners deep into the cloak-and-dagger world of espionage in "The Spy Who," discussing the high-stakes maneuvering and deception that underpins the tale of Dusko Popov, a double agent entangled in the complexities of World War II espionage. In this evocative account, we explore Popov's assignment from the Nazi intelligence organization, Abwehr, including his involvement in building a communication line to Lisbon and his secretive missions surrounding American uranium intelligence.

Beyond the typical spy narrative, this episode illuminates the often-overlooked subtleties of intelligence work, such as the instrumental use of microdots. It further examines Popov's efforts to alert the U.S. of imminent dangers facing Pearl Harbor—a warning tragically underestimated by the FBI, led by the skeptical J. Edgar Hoover. Varma paints a vivid picture of the intelligence failures and the consequent devastating surprise attack of December 7, 1941, offering a poignant reflection on the outcomes of ignored espionage warnings and the weight of mistrust in the shadows of wartime.

Dive into the clandestine world of espionage with "The Spy Who," featuring the captivating Indira Varma. This episode unravels the true story of Dusko Popov, a man whose life inspired the legendary James Bond character. Listeners are transported to the nerve-wracking era of World War II, where Popov is recruited by German military intelligence—the Abwehr—despite his contempt for the Nazi regime. The narrative reveals his intricate dance of deception as he also becomes a double agent for British intelligence, resulting in a fabricated yet convincing British network of spies fooling the Germans.

The stakes are high as Popov takes on perilous missions across London and even crosses the Atlantic to the United States, seeking out Allied secrets for the Abwehr. Tales of narrow escapes and the sophisticated tools of the spy trade punctuate his journey, climaxing with a mission hinting at Japan's interest in Pearl Harbor. "The Spy Who" offers a sobering glimpse into a world where trust is a currency, danger is a constant companion, and the course of history balances on a razor's edge.

"The Spy Who" beckons audiences into the mysterious corridors of Cold War espionage, where secrecy and strategy collide. Throughout the series, hosts Indira Varma and Raza Jaffrey guide us behind the curtains of international intrigue, profiling legendary figures such as Oleg Penkovsky and Noor Inayat Khan. Their remarkable stories illuminate how these clandestine operators left indelible marks on the art of intelligence during a time of global uncertainty and tension.

Fans of historical suspense will find "The Spy Who" deeply engaging as it weaves intricate, true accounts of high-stakes missions laden with danger and deception. By delving into the shadowy practices of intelligence services, the series paints a vivid picture of a world dominated by secret alliances and covert strategies. Each episode promises to demystify the nuanced roles these agencies played in shaping the geopolitical landscape, offering listeners a glimpse into a profession enshrouded in darkness and mystique.