The Assets poster

TV series

The Assets

2014TV-141 season6.9 / 10

1985 serves as the backdrop to the final showdown of the Cold War when Sandy and her partner Jeanne Vertefeuille vowed to find the mole that would turn out to be the most notorious traitor in US history, Aldrich Ames. Sandy is in a race against time to save the Soviet intelligence officers from being caught and killed. Living her own double life at home, this beautiful wife and mother vowed to stop at nothing until she uncovered the truth.

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Checked Jul 22, 2026

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Synopsis

1985 serves as the backdrop to the final showdown of the Cold War when Sandy and her partner Jeanne Vertefeuille vowed to find the mole that would turn out to be the most notorious traitor in US history, Aldrich Ames. Sandy is in a race against time to save the Soviet intelligence officers from being caught and killed. Living her own double life at home, this beautiful wife and mother vowed to stop at nothing until she uncovered the truth.

Season 1 episodes

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Episode 1

My Name Is Aldrich Ames

40m7.3 / 10

As the Cold War enters its final act, the CIA is sent scrambling when a rendezvous with a prized asset goes horribly awry. CIA officer Sandy Grimes begins her investigation into the source of the problem and quickly discovers that this lost asset is just the tip of the iceberg. Little does she know that this is just the beginning of a decade-long mole hunt, and the mole is one of her cohorts - Aldrich Ames.

Episode credits

Directed by Jeff T. ThomasWritten by Jeff T. Thomas

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Episode 2

Jewel in the Crown

42m7.3 / 10

The CIA scores a major break when Vitaly Yurchenko, a high-ranking KGB officer, defects to the US. Assigned as the lead in the debriefing, Aldrich Ames engages in a verbal cat-and-mouse game to determine whether he is in danger of being ratted out. Ames considers taking drastic measures when Yurchenko reveals that he knows of a mole in the CIA. Meanwhile, Sandy frets over the safety of a beloved and esteemed asset, General Dmitri Polyakov.

Episode credits

Directed by Jeff T. ThomasWritten by Andrew ChapmanGuest stars Josif Baliukevič, Larisa Popova

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Episode 3

Trip to Vienna

42m9.0 / 10

After Yurchenko's shocking disclosure, the CIA and FBI mobilize to bring the brilliant Edward Lee Howard to justice. Despite Howard being fingered as the mole, Sandy remains concerned about potential agency leaks and works tirelessly to prove that her asset, General Polyakov, is attempting to establish contact with the CIA. With the rest of the CIA distracted by bigger matters, Ames develops an unlikely bond with Yurchenko during a trip to Canada.

Episode credits

Directed by Adam FeinsteinWritten by Alex Berger

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Episode 4

What's Done is Done

42m9.0 / 10

After learning that a breach remains at the CIA, Sandy butts heads with Jeanne Vertefeuille, the senior officer conducting a thorough review of their operations. Jeanne's presence also rattles Ames, who feels increasing pressure from the Soviets to provide more information. On the home front, Ames feels even more pressure, caught between his love for his wife Rosario, and placating her spendthrift lifestyle.

Episode credits

Directed by Rudy BednarWritten by Bruce Terris

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Episode 5

Check Mate

42m9.0 / 10

As Sandy conducts her review of the agency's spycraft, she and Jeanne continue to clash. When a potential asset contacts the CIA claiming to have vital information about a communications breach, Sandy has her doubts about the man known as GTPROLOGUE. Could this be part of a larger campaign by the Soviets to obfuscate the truth? Meanwhile, Ames learns that his request for a transfer to Rome has been approved.

Episode credits

Directed by Trygve Allister DiesenWritten by Karen StillmanGuest stars Aisling Bea, Greg Patmore

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Episode 6

Small Useless Truth

42m9.0 / 10

Having put aside their differences, Sandy and Jeanne move full steam ahead with their mole hunt. The investigation experiences a serious setback, though, when Sandy learns that General Polyakov has been compromised. Through sound recordings, Sandy experiences the brutal interrogation of Polyakov who remains heroic to the end. As Sandy deals with her devastating loss, Ames prepares himself for a high-stakes polygraph test.

Episode credits

Directed by Trygve Allister DiesenWritten by Sarah Byrd

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Episode 7

The Straw Poll

42m9.0 / 10

After the fall of the Berlin Wall and collapse of communism, the CIA task force still remains on the hunt for the cause of the assets' compromise. Sandy becomes convinced that Ames is the most likely suspect but has a difficult time convincing the rest of the task force. After living glamorously in Rome, Ames finds it increasingly difficult to maintain that lifestyle and keep his identity hidden.

Episode credits

Directed by Peter MedakWritten by Bruce Terris

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Episode 8

Avenger

42m9.5 / 10finale

Despite the task force being fully convinced of Ames' guilt, Sandy seeks more definitive proof to convince the Justice Department to proceed with their own investigation. As the hunt closes in on Ames, Sandy's commitment to the job pushes her husband's patience and commitment to the brink. After Ames is finally caught and brought to justice, he mulls over a major decision--to go down defiantly or to confess and protect his wife and child.

Episode credits

Directed by Peter MedakWritten by Andrew Chapman

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Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026

More about The Assets

Cast

Jodie WhittakerSandy Grimes
Paul RhysAldrich Ames
Harriet WalterJeanne Vertefeuille
Ralph BrownWallace Austin
Christina ColeLouisa Tilton
Stuart MilliganArthur O'Neill
Lex ShrapnelMitch Weaver
Catalina DenisRosario Ames

Credits

Written by
Andrew Chapman, Bruce Terris, Karen Stillman, Jeff T. Thomas, Sarah Byrd, Alex Berger

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Miniseries
Episodes
8
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • ABCUnited States
  • Lincoln Square ProductionsUnited States
  • Baltic Film ServicesLithuania

Themes

1980scentral intelligence agency (cia)cold warminiseriessoviet unionspy