Apple TV+ continues expanding its dominance in prestige drama with the announcement of Safe Houses, a new eight-episode espionage thriller arriving from Emmy Award-winning showrunner Gideon Raff, the creative force behind the acclaimed Showtime phenomenon Homeland. Based on Dan Fesperman’s celebrated 2018 novel of the same name—written by a former international journalist drawing from real-world undercover experience—Safe Houses promises to deliver the taut character-driven espionage storytelling that made Homeland a global sensation while introducing fresh narrative complexity and international scope. The series follows two compelling women investigating the assassination of a high-ranking CIA officer in Madrid from opposite perspectives: Sofia Jiménez, a fugitive agent accused of the crime, and Ambassador Elizabeth Winthrop, the victim’s widow, as they unravel a vast conspiracy threatening global power equilibrium. With Raff serving as showrunner, executive producer, and director of multiple episodes, alongside BAFTA-winning filmmaker Otto Bathurst (famous for directing Peaky Blinders) helming the opening block, Safe Houses represents Apple TV+’s strategic deepening of its spy thriller slate following the massive success of Slow Horses. As Apple Studios strengthens its reputation for quality international drama, Safe Houses arrives as one of the platform’s most anticipated genre offerings—a sophisticated espionage thriller from proven creatives that promises to define prestige television’s current moment.
Apple TV+ Announces Safe Houses: Intelligence Thriller from Homeland Creator
Announcement Date: November 3-5, 2025 | Episode Count: Eight episodes | Status: Greenlit (pre-production) | Based On: Dan Fesperman’s 2018 novel | Production Companies: Wiip, Apple Studios | Streaming Platform: Apple TV+ (exclusive)
Apple TV+ has officially greenlit Safe Houses, a new international espionage thriller that represents the platform’s strategic expansion into prestige spy drama alongside its acclaimed hit Slow Horses. The announcement comes as the streaming service continues building its reputation for character-driven thrillers that balance taut plotting with genuine emotional authenticity—precisely the formula that made Homeland a global phenomenon and critical darling across its eight-season run.
Plot and Premise
Safe Houses is a fast-paced international espionage thriller set in the aftermath of the assassination of a high-ranking CIA officer in Madrid. The murder becomes the catalyst for parallel investigations conducted by two compelling women from opposite sides of the intelligence world, each pursuing truth through their own lens and with conflicting goals.
Sofia Jiménez: A fugitive agent accused of committing the murder herself. Initially appearing as the primary suspect, Sofia must navigate being hunted by international agencies while desperately attempting to prove her innocence and uncover the true conspirators behind the assassination.
Ambassador Elizabeth Winthrop: The widow of the murdered CIA officer, Elizabeth brings a different perspective to the investigation. As an ambassador with diplomatic status and access to intelligence networks, she pursues her own quest for truth about her husband’s death, confronting institutional power and personal grief simultaneously.
As Sofia and Elizabeth investigate from opposite directions, they progressively unravel “a vast conspiracy that could upend the balance of global power”—suggesting the murdered CIA officer’s assassination involves far more consequential forces than personal vendetta or professional rivalry. The series explores how two women from different worlds must navigate bureaucratic institutions, personal trauma, and international espionage while discovering uncomfortable truths.
Source Material: Dan Fesperman’s Novel
Author: Dan Fesperman (former international journalist) | Publication: 2018 (published by Knopf) | Background: Based on author’s real undercover reporting experience | Place in Fesperman’s Body of Work: His 11th thriller
Dan Fesperman brings authentic credibility to Safe Houses as a former international journalist who conducted real undercover reporting around the globe. His career in journalism informed every page of the novel, establishing the series’ foundation in plausible geopolitical intrigue rather than mere fictional speculation. Fesperman has written twelve thrillers, each drawing from his professional experiences reporting on global conflict, intelligence operations, and international politics.
By securing the services of author Fesperman as a consulting producer, Gideon Raff ensures the adaptation maintains accuracy regarding intelligence operations, diplomatic procedures, and geopolitical complexity—authenticity that distinguishes prestige spy thrillers from conventional action entertainment.
Showrunner and Director: Gideon Raff’s Espionage Mastery
Gideon Raff: Showrunner, Executive Producer, Director | Emmy Awards: 2 Emmys (Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Homeland pilot, co-written with Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa) | Creator Credits: Homeland (co-creator with Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa), Prisoners of War (Israeli original series), The Spy (Netflix/Canal+), Tyrant
Gideon Raff has established himself as contemporary television’s preeminent espionage storyteller, with a career spanning multiple continents and languages. His creative journey demonstrates increasing ambition and scope: beginning with Israeli series Prisoners of War (2010), adapting into American television with Homeland, creating the bilingual French-Israeli thriller The Spy for Netflix (2019), and developing complex multinational narratives that respect audience intelligence.
Raff’s signature approach emphasizes character psychology and emotional authenticity within high-stakes intelligence narratives. Rather than treating espionage as mere plot mechanics, Raff explores how surveillance work, deception, and conspiracy fundamentally damage human relationships and individual psychology. Homeland‘s success derived from its willingness to maintain psychological complexity across eight seasons—exploring how trauma, ambition, and institutional pressure shape intelligence operatives.
Directing Team: Otto Bathurst’s Cinematic Vision
Opening Block Director: Otto Bathurst | Credits: Peaky Blinders (director), Criminal Justice (BAFTA-winning British series), Accident (film) | Directing Philosophy: Character-driven storytelling within crime/espionage frameworks, visual sophistication
Otto Bathurst—best known for directing episodes of Peaky Blinders, the BBC’s acclaimed crime series that revolutionized British television production values—brings BAFTA recognition and proven ability to balance visual sophistication with character intimacy. Bathurst’s work on Peaky Blinders demonstrated mastery of period detail, visual storytelling, and complex family dynamics within crime narratives—skills directly transferable to contemporary espionage storytelling.
Bathurst’s involvement specifically for the pilot and opening episodes signals Apple TV+’s commitment to establishing Safe Houses with cinematic ambition. Pilots define entire series aesthetically and narratively, establishing audience expectations for visual style, emotional tone, and storytelling approach. By securing Bathurst’s specific expertise, the production ensures the series launches with prestige credentials.
Production Team and Executive Producers
Co-Production: Wiip (independent studio) and Apple Studios | Executive Producers: Gideon Raff (showrunner), Alexandra Milchan, Paul Lee, David Flynn (Wiip), Mike Seid (co-developer), Adam Berkowitz | Producer: Sara Gonzalo | Consulting Producer: Dan Fesperman (author)
The production partnership between independent studio Wiip and Apple Studios represents the evolving television production landscape, where streaming platforms collaborate with established independent production companies rather than maintaining exclusive in-house development. Alexandra Milchan—a prominent independent producer with an extensive resume of prestige projects—provides additional credibility and industry relationships that strengthen the series’ potential.
Cast and Character Information
Note: As of November 6, 2025, no casting announcements have been made public. Lead casting announcements are expected soon as production preparation accelerates.
The roles of Sofia Jiménez (fugitive agent) and Ambassador Elizabeth Winthrop represent primary lead positions requiring sophisticated performers capable of balancing action with emotional depth, intelligence operations with personal trauma. Industry observers anticipate major casting announcements within the coming months as production schedules solidify.
Apple TV+’s Espionage Expansion Strategy
Safe Houses arrives as part of Apple TV+’s strategic deepening in prestige drama, particularly spy thrillers. The platform’s massive hit Slow Horses—adapted from Mick Herron’s Jackson Lamb novels—has demonstrated consistent audience enthusiasm for intelligent espionage storytelling that prioritizes character complexity over action spectacle. With Slow Horses recently completing its fifth season and seasons six and seven already confirmed, Apple evidently believes the market supports multiple sophisticated spy dramas.
The announcement also signals Apple’s continued investment in international collaborations and diverse storytelling perspectives. By partnering with acclaimed international creators like Gideon Raff and engaging with non-American source material, Apple positions itself as a truly global platform rather than merely an American entertainment company distributing internationally.
Where Safe Houses Will Be Available
Streaming Platform: Apple TV+ (exclusive) | Release Date: TBA (production timing to be announced) | Availability: Global to all Apple TV+ subscribers on all supported devices (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, and compatible smart TVs)
Safe Houses will debut exclusively on Apple TV+, available to subscribers globally. Production timelines have not been officially confirmed, but industry standards suggest filming will commence in 2026 with release expected in 2027 or beyond. Apple TV+ offers all original programming to all subscription tier members—no premium tiers or pay-per-episode options exist for Apple originals.
The Future of Prestige Espionage Drama
Safe Houses represents a pivotal moment for contemporary espionage storytelling. As audiences consume increasing volumes of intelligence narratives via streaming platforms, creators face pressure to offer fresh perspectives on established genre conventions. Gideon Raff’s track record suggests Safe Houses will deliver psychological depth, emotional authenticity, and respect for audience intelligence—precisely the qualities that distinguish prestige television from conventional entertainment.
By casting women as protagonists investigating an assassination from opposite sides of intelligence hierarchies, Safe Houses immediately distinguishes itself from countless spy thrillers defaulting to male leads. The narrative framework—two women pursuing truth across institutional divides—promises exploration of gender dynamics within intelligence operations, diplomatic power structures, and personal agency amid institutional constraint.
As production commences and casting announcements arrive, Safe Houses will establish whether Gideon Raff can replicate the success that made Homeland appointment television. All evidence suggests the series represents prestige espionage drama’s current standard-setter.
