CBS News is expanding its podcast profile, greenlighting a new series exploring the story of Robert Hanssen, the FBI agent who leaked sensitive information to Russia for more than two decades.
The as-yet-untitled eight-episode series from CBS and Paramount Audio will premiere in the fall and is directed by CBS News’ chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett, who also hosts the weekly podcast. Food to go.
“How does the nation handle its most sensitive secrets? It’s a question we’ve wrestled with for decades, but one that’s especially relevant today,” says Garrett. “Everything about Robert Hanssen fascinates me: how he escaped detection for 22 years, the depth of his betrayals, how he was caught and, most difficult to understand, why he did it. Pursuing these answers has taken two years and I can’t wait to share this extraordinary story with our listeners.”
The story, which begins at the height of the Cold War and covers Hanssen’s entire time as a double agent, also explores the impact sharing secrets had on the country. Hanssen died in prison earlier this year.
The series includes interviews with more than 40 people, including Hanssen’s family, friends and co-workers.
CBS News and Paramount Audio have produced a handful of podcasts based on reports of CBS programming as Take on the Nation and CBS sunday morning. The shows include Furniture with Mo Rocca, My criminal life with Erin Moriarty, Food to go and Forgotten Science with David Pogue.