Apple TV has made a strong mark in the sci-fi genre with acclaimed hits like Foundation, Severance, and For All Mankind. Now, the streamer appears ready to expand its dominance into another fan-favorite category — spy thrillers. One of the platform’s biggest success stories in that space, Slow Horses, has been a steady hit since its 2022 debut and recently wrapped its fifth season to strong acclaim. With sixth and seventh seasons already confirmed, Apple is doubling down on the genre, greenlighting a new espionage drama from Homeland creator Gideon Raff.
The new thriller, titled Safe Houses, is an adaptation of a 2018 novel by Dan Fesperman, a former reporter who based the book on his real-life experience working undercover. Per the synopsis, the series is “a fast-paced espionage thriller set in the aftermath of the killing of a high-ranking CIA officer in Madrid.” Further details reveal the show is centered on “Sofia Jiménez, a fugitive agent accused of the crime, and Ambassador Elizabeth Winthrop, his widow, as they each investigate the murder from opposite sides, unraveling a vast conspiracy that could upend the balance of global power.”
With Raff at the helm, Safe Houses is in capable hands, and Apple TV may have another hit on its slate. The filmmaker has long proven his mastery of the espionage genre, with his signature of balancing taut suspense with deeply human drama. His most celebrated work, Homeland, co-created with Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa, was universally acclaimed. Adapted from his acclaimed Israeli series Prisoners of War, the show’s eight-season run earned Raff two Emmys, including one for co-writing its gripping pilot. Apple will be hoping he replicates the same with Safe Houses, and given his stellar track record with projects like Netflix’s The Spy, excitement around this one is bound to catch fire quickly.
Who Else Is Behind ‘Safe Houses’?
Apple has greenlit the project for an eight-episode run, with Raff serving as showrunner, executive producer, and director. For the pilot and early episodes, however, he’ll hand over directing duties to Otto Bathurst, the BAFTA-winning filmmaker behind Peaky Blinders and Criminal Justice. Safe Houses is a joint production between Wiip and Apple Studios, with executive producers Alexandra Milchan, Paul Lee, David Flynn, co-creator Mike Seid, and Adam Berkowitz all on board. The creative team is also collaborating closely with author Fesperman to bring a heightened sense of authenticity to the adaptation.
No casting has been made yet, but announcements are expected soon as production gears up. You can watch Homeland on Disney+ or buy/rent through your favorite PVOD platform.
- Release Date
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2011 – 2020-00-00
- Network
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Showtime
- Showrunner
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Alex Gansa
- Directors
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Lesli Linka Glatter, Michael Cuesta, Daniel Attias, Alex Graves, Keith Gordon, Clark Johnson, Seith Mann, Tucker Gates, Michael Offer, Guy Ferland, Michael Klick, Carl Franklin, Charlotte Sieling, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, Brad Turner, Daniel Minahan, David Nutter, David Semel, Jeffrey Reiner, Jeremy Podeswa, John Dahl, John David Coles, Lodge Kerrigan
- Writers
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Patrick Harbinson, Debora Cahn, Ron Nyswaner, Anya Leta
