Apple TV has ordered an eight-episode spy series from showrunner Gideon Ruff titled “Safe House,” inspired by Dan Fesperman’s 2018 novel.
“Safe House” is a fast-paced spy thriller set in the aftermath of the murder of a high-ranking CIA official in Madrid. The series follows Sofia Jimenez, a fugitive accused of a crime, and Ambassador Elizabeth Winthrop, the widow of a murder victim, as they investigate crimes from opposing sides and, according to the logline, “unravel a vast conspiracy that could upend the balance of power in the world.”
Mr. Ruff is an Israeli film and television director best known for the Channel 2 thriller “Prisoner of War,” which was the basis for the American spy drama “Homeland.” Ruff co-developed “Homeland” with Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa, which won two Emmy Awards in 2012 (for Best Drama Series and Best Pilot Co-Written). Mr. Ruff, who also created the miniseries “The Spy” and “Dig,” has worked on spy-based films and television series since he was an assistant director on the 2005 film “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
“Safe House” is a co-production between Wiip and Apple Studios. Otto Bathurst (Peaky Blinders) will direct the series’ opening block, and Ruff will direct several episodes while serving as executive producer alongside Alexandra Milchan. Paul Lee and David Flynn will serve as executive producers on Wiip. Mike Seid, who developed the series with Raff, will serve as co-EP with Adam Berkowitz. Sara Gonzalo will serve as producer, and original author Fesperman will serve as consulting producer.
