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Traitors

Spies work behind the scenes as the superpowers enter a new era. Intelligence pushes world leaders towards a more peaceful approach. But a new danger is lurking in the shadows.

With Gordievsky鈥檚 help, Britain identifies Mikhail Gorbachev as a possible new contender for Soviet leader; he could be the ticket to better relations between east and west. But fragile steps towards diplomacy are threatened by the vested interests of other spies still stuck in the old-world order.

The CIA is set on knowing who Britain鈥檚 super spy is, but their head of Soviet counterintelligence, Aldrich Ames, is getting disillusioned. He turns traitor for a paltry sum, and shortly afterwards, Gordievsky is summoned back to Russia to almost certain danger.

The episode includes exclusive audio recordings of Aldrich Ames, audio interviews from Oleg Gordievsky, interviews with former KGB, FBI, CIA and MI6 officers, some of whom have never spoken before, as well as colleagues of Thatcher and Reagan.

6 months left to watch

58 minutes

Signed Audio described

Clips

Credits

Role Contributor
Narrator Saskia Reeves
Oleg Gordievsky Martin Munro
Aldrich Ames Jacques Theron
Arkady Guk Wayne Harrison
Leonid Nikitenko Retief Loubser
Director Kate Quine
Producer Emily Thompson
Production Manager Paul Allen
Executive Producer Lucie Ridout

Broadcasts

Explore the history of spying with our exclusive espionage interactive

Uncover the secrets and spies of the 20th century with The Open University.