Apple TV Sets Spy Thriller ‘Safe Houses’ From ‘Homeland’ Emmy Winner Gideon Raff
Apple TV has ordered an eight-episode spy series titled “Safe Houses,” from showrunner Gideon Raff and inspired by the 2018 novel by Dan Fesperman.
“Safe Houses” is a fast-paced espionage thriller set in the aftermath of the killing of a high-ranking CIA officer in Madrid. The series follows Sofia Jiménez, a fugitive agent accused of the crime, and the murder victim’s widow, Ambassador Elizabeth Winthrop, as they each investigate the crime from opposite sides, “unraveling a vast conspiracy that could upend the balance of global power,” per the logline.
Raff is an Israeli film and television director best known for his Channel 2 thriller “Prisoners of War,” which became the source material for the American spy drama “Homeland.” Raff co-developed “Homeland” with Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa, and he won two Emmys in 2012 (for best drama series and for co-writing the pilot). Raff also created the miniseries “The Spy” and “Dig,” and his involvement in creating spy-centered films and television series dates back to his work as the director’s assistant on the 2005 film “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
“Safe Houses” is a co-production between Wiip and Apple Studios. Otto Bathurst (“Peaky Blinders”) will direct the opening block of the series, and Raff will direct several episodes while serving as executive producer alongside Alexandra Milchan. Paul Lee and David Flynn executive produce for Wiip. Mike Seid, who developed the series with Raff, will serve as a co-EP with Adam Berkowitz. Sara Gonzalo is a producer, and author Fesperman will serve as consulting producer.
“Safe Houses” is a fast-paced espionage thriller set in the aftermath of the killing of a high-ranking CIA officer in Madrid. The series follows Sofia Jiménez, a fugitive agent accused of the crime, and the murder victim’s widow, Ambassador Elizabeth Winthrop, as they each investigate the crime from opposite sides, “unraveling a vast conspiracy that could upend the balance of global power,” per the logline.
Raff is an Israeli film and television director best known for his Channel 2 thriller “Prisoners of War,” which became the source material for the American spy drama “Homeland.” Raff co-developed “Homeland” with Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa, and he won two Emmys in 2012 (for best drama series and for co-writing the pilot). Raff also created the miniseries “The Spy” and “Dig,” and his involvement in creating spy-centered films and television series dates back to his work as the director’s assistant on the 2005 film “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
“Safe Houses” is a co-production between Wiip and Apple Studios. Otto Bathurst (“Peaky Blinders”) will direct the opening block of the series, and Raff will direct several episodes while serving as executive producer alongside Alexandra Milchan. Paul Lee and David Flynn executive produce for Wiip. Mike Seid, who developed the series with Raff, will serve as a co-EP with Adam Berkowitz. Sara Gonzalo is a producer, and author Fesperman will serve as consulting producer.