While Sacha Baron Cohen may be best known for his comedic characters, his next role is decidedly more serious.
The Academy Award-nominated actor will star as real-life Mossad operative Eli Cohen in Netflix's latest original miniseries The Spy. An official trailer depicts Cohen on a mission of national importance. The Israeli government has sent him to infiltrate Syria, with the danger exponentially increasing as Cohen grows closer to key figures in the Syrian government to learn its secrets and capabilities.
Eli Cohen's real-life activities during the 1960s would help the fledgling nation during the Six-Day War. Cohen, under a false identity, gained close access to key political and military figures ahead of the coming conflict.
While Sacha Baron Cohen has appeared in serious films in a supporting role, this is the prolific actor's first major dramatic performance The upcoming miniseries is a co-production by Netflix and the French production company Canal+.
Directed by Gideon Raff from a script he co-wrote with Max Perry, The Spy stars Sacha Baron Cohen, Noah Emmerich, Alexander Siddig and Marc Maurille. It premieres on Netflix on September 6.