Damian Lewis joins A+E for factual

Damian Lewis in Showtime’s Billions

A+E Networks UK is working on a docudrama for its History channel that will see Billions and Homeland star Damian Lewis make his first foray into factual programming.

Damian Lewis: Spy Wars (8×60′, working title) is being produced by Alaska TV and will reveal the true stories behind some of the most important international spy operations of the last 40 years.

The show will include reconstructions featuring Lewis plus interviews with those involved, with shooting taking place in London, Moscow and Israel.

A+E Networks UK, a joint venture between A+E Networks in the US and UK satcaster Sky, will coproduce the show with its US counterpart, with the stateside company taking global distribution rights. It will air on History in the UK later this year.

Patrick Vien, executive MD of international at A+E Networks, said Damian Lewis: Spy Wars would take “an unparalleled, wide-ranging approach to unravelling the fascinating world of global espionage.”

He added that it would be “an incredibly ambitious production that aligns perfectly with our strategy to deliver premium content for a global audience.”

The series has been commissioned by A+E Networks UK duo Dan Korn, VP of programming, and Diana Carter, commissioning editor and head of talent.

Executive producers for Alaska TV are Chris Fouracre, Ian Lamarra, Paul Sommers and Gareth Lewis.