The Spy Who: "The Spy Who is Back Soon" | Episode 6

Podcast: The Spy Who (Wondery)
Hosts: Indira Varma, Raza Jaffrey
Date: September 7, 2025

Overview

This brief update episode from "The Spy Who" serves as an atmospheric teaser for the show’s highly anticipated return. The hosts acknowledge their hiatus, offer gratitude for listeners’ patience, and preview riveting upcoming stories centered on espionage, betrayal, and infiltration—true tales you were never meant to hear.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Acknowledgment of Hiatus & Listener Appreciation

• The hosts speak directly to long-time listeners, addressing the podcast’s break and expressing thanks for continued interest.
  • Quote: "You've been waiting. The Spy who has been absent. Yes, but not without reason." – Host (00:01)
• They emphasize the meticulous work happening behind the scenes to prepare new episodes.
  • Quote: "We've been in the shadows, assembling, crafting new episodes, and we want to thank you for your patience." – Host (00:08)

2. Upcoming Espionage Stories

The hosts tantalizingly preview three major spy cases to be covered in the coming season:

David Rupert – The Ghost Inside the IRA

• David Rupert infiltrated the Irish Republican Army, passing secrets to MI5.
  • Quote: "Coming up, we'll hear the tale of David Rupert, a man who infiltrated the IRA like a ghost before feeding secrets to MI5, living a life so layered with lies that even he might have forgotten what was real." – Host (00:18)
• The narrative will explore the psychological toll of undercover operations and blurred identity lines.

Oleg Gordievsky – The KGB’s Ultimate Betrayal

• Oleg Gordievsky, a high-ranking KGB officer, flipped allegiance to Britain, becoming MI6’s most valuable Cold War asset.
  • Quote: "There's also Oleg Gordievsky, the KGB colonel who flipped and became Britain's most prized asset during the Cold War. A man whose betrayal was so exquisite it could have been the end of the Kremlin." – Host (00:33)
• Listeners can expect a gripping tale of high-stakes betrayal and the razor-thin margin between personal conviction and global consequence.

Ana Montes – Cuba’s Asset Inside American Intelligence

• The first full episode will focus on Ana Montes, a top analyst in the US intelligence community who secretly worked for Cuba.
  • Quote: "But first, in your feeds, you'll hear the story of Ana Montez. She was Cuba's queen in the heart of American intelligence, feeding information to Castro. A woman who played the game so well that no one saw the knife until it was already in their backs." – Host (00:43)
• The episode will delve into espionage conducted from within, hidden in plain sight, and the consequences when trust is shattered.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On preparation for the new season:
  • "We've been in the shadows, assembling, crafting new episodes, and we want to thank you for your patience." (00:08)
• On David Rupert’s double life:
  • "Living a life so layered with lies that even he might have forgotten what was real." (00:23)
• On the stakes of Oleg Gordievsky’s defection:
  • "A man whose betrayal was so exquisite it could have been the end of the Kremlin." (00:37)
• On Ana Montes’ hidden treachery:
  • "A woman who played the game so well that no one saw the knife until it was already in their backs." (00:49)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01 – Addressing the hiatus and listener gratitude
• 00:18 – Preview: David Rupert and infiltration of the IRA
• 00:33 – Preview: Oleg Gordievsky as a Cold War double agent
• 00:43 – Preview: Ana Montes as Cuba’s insider in US intelligence

Tone & Style

The episode is delivered in the show’s signature tense, cinematic tone—blending intrigue, suspense, and reverence for the true stories of espionage. The hosts craft a sense of anticipation, promising “invisible but vital” stories from the clandestine world.

In Summary

This episode is a suspenseful, well-crafted announcement whetting listeners’ appetites for a new season packed with tales from the shadow world of intelligence. The Spy Who will soon return with in-depth stories about spies who walked the razor’s edge—betraying, infiltrating, and forever altering the course of history.