Yosi, the Regretful Spy

Yosi, the Regretful Spy (Spanish: Iosi, el espía arrepentido) is an Argentine-Uruguayan thriller television series created by Daniel Burman for Amazon Prime Video and based on the 2015 book Iosi, el espía arrepentido by authors Horacio Lutzky and Miriam Lewin [es].[1] It revolves around an Argentine Federal Police agent who infiltrates a Jewish community to gather information, which was apparently used to carry out the terrorist attacks against the Israeli embassy in 1992 and the AMIA in 1994.[2]

Yosi, the Regretful Spy
Iosi, el espía arrepentido
Genre
Created byDaniel Burman
Starring
ComposerFederico Jusid
Country of origin
  • Argentina
  • Uruguay
Original languageSpanish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes16
Production
Executive producers
  • Silvina Chaine
  • Daniel Burman
  • Laura Fernández Espeso
Production locations
CinematographyRodrigo Pulpeiro
Editors
  • Alejandro Carrillo Penovi
  • Alejandro Parysow
Running time39–53 minutes
Production companies
  • Oficina Burman
  • The Mediapro Studio
Original release
NetworkAmazon Prime Video
Release29 April 2022 (2022-04-29) –
present (present)

The series, which debuted on April 29, 2022, stars a cast of Argentines and Uruguayans actors.[3] A month after its premiere, in May 2022 it was renewed for a second season, premiered on October 27, 2023.[4] In November 2022, Yosi, the Regretful Spy won the Silver Condor Awards for Best Drama Series, and Bassani for Best Leading Actor in Drama.[5]

Premise

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Yosi, the Regretful Spy follows José Pérez, an intelligence agent of the Argentine Federal Police, who is assigned to infiltrate a Jewish community, to gather information about the "Andinia Plan", which seeks to establish a Jewish state in Patagonia. This plan was later used to perpetrate two terrorist attacks on Argentine soil: the bombing on the Israeli embassy in 1992 –in which no culprits were determined–, and on the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association in 1994 –in which several accessories after the fact were convicted–.[6]

Cast and characters

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Main

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  • Natalia Oreiro as Claudia, Yosi's handler, she is a controlling and anti-Semitic agent, who believes in the Andinia Plan and seeks to prevent it from being carried out in Argentina.[7]
  • Gustavo Bassani as José Pérez / Yosi, an anti-Semitic police intelligence agent who infiltrates a Jewish community.[8]
  • Alejandro Awada as Saúl Menajem, a businessman linked to finance and banking, who traffics arms[9]
  • Carla Quevedo as Eli, a committed young Jewish woman who is politically active and has a secret from the past that haunts her[10]
  • Minerva Casero as Dafne Menajem, Saúl's daughter and Yosi's romantic interest[11]
  • Juan Leyrado as Abraham Glusberg, the Jewish husband of José's mother
  • Marco Antonio Caponi as Luis Garrido, José's friend and corrupt intelligence agent who conducts business outside the law.
  • Daniel Kuzniecka as Aarón
  • Matías Mayer as Víctor Kesselman, leader of the left-wing political group that Yosi joins.[12]
  • Mercedes Morán as Mónica Raposo, an incisive retired journalist who helps Yosi.[13]

Recurring

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Guest

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  • Roly Serrano as Minister Aquino
  • Julián Ache Pérez Zinola as Jonás Kesselman
  • Mercedes Morán as Mónica Raposo
  • Danna Liberman as Silvina
  • Miguel Di Lemme as Daniel Cruz
  • Lucio Hernández as Salerno
  • Víctor Wainbuch as Rabbi Straimel
  • Fernando Miró as Prosecutor Castillo
  • Roberto Suárez as Horacio Gutiérrez
  • David Masajnik as Doctor Roitman

Episodes

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SeriesEpisodesOriginally released
1829 April 2022 (2022-04-29)
2827 October 2023 (2023-10-27)

Series 1 (2022)

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No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"La Misión"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman29 April 2022 (2022-04-29)
22"La Memoria"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman29 April 2022 (2022-04-29)
33"El Hijo"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman29 April 2022 (2022-04-29)
44"Jeans Nevados"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman29 April 2022 (2022-04-29)
55"Una alfombra"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman29 April 2022 (2022-04-29)
66"Casa de muñecas"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman29 April 2022 (2022-04-29)
77"14:45"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman29 April 2022 (2022-04-29)
88"El idiota útil"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman29 April 2022 (2022-04-29)

Series 2 (2023)

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No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
91"El abismo"Daniel Burman, Sebastián Borensztein and Martín HodaraSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós y Daniel Burman27 October 2023 (2023-10-27)
102"El vuelto"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman27 October 2023 (2023-10-27)
113"Kadish"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman27 October 2023 (2023-10-27)
124"Mazel Tov"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman27 October 2023 (2023-10-27)
135"Silencio"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman27 October 2023 (2023-10-27)
146"Sion"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman27 October 2023 (2023-10-27)
157"Traición"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman27 October 2023 (2023-10-27)
168"Justicia perseguirás"Daniel Burman and Sebastián BorenszteinSebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós and Daniel Burman27 October 2023 (2023-10-27)

Production

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Development

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In February 2017, it was announced that the Argentine production company Oficina Burman had joined Mediapro to develop several projects to launch internationally, including the adaptation of the book Iosi, el espía arrepentido written by Horacio Lutzky and Miriam Lewin, and which tells the real story of an Argentine policeman who infiltrates a Jewish community.[14] In January 2020, Daniel Burman and Sebastián Borensztein were confirmed as the directors of the series that would be made up of 8 episodes of 40–50 minutes each.[15] On 7 April 2022, it was announced that the series would premiere on the 29th.[16] On 26 May 2022, Amazon Prime Video renewed the show for a second series.[17] In September 2023, the premiere of the second season was announced for October 27.[18]

Casting

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On 17 May 2018, it was announced that Natalia Oreiro, Gustavo Bassani, Marco Antonio Caponi, Alejandro Awada, Juan Leyrado, Matías Mayer and Minerva Casero had joined the show's main cast. In January 2021, it was reported that Carla Quevedo had been cast.[19] At the end of May 2022, it was reported that two Israeli actors Moran Rosenblatt and Itzik Cohen would join the cast of the series.[20]

Filming

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Filming for the first series took place at several locations in Uruguay during 2021.[21] Although the filming took place mainly in Montevideo, several towns in the Canelones Department, such as Progreso, Cerrillos, La Paz and Paso de Carrasco were also included.[22]

Reception

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Critical response

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Raúl Kollmann of Página 12 gave a positive review and wrote: "Iosi, el espía arrepentido makes visible what that time was and what the infiltrators of the Federal Police were. But above all because the chapters are exciting, with a huge production that includes beautiful images in the desert, good performances and a rhythm that has nothing to envy to the best series".[23]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2022 Produ Awards Best Adaptation Series Iosi, el espía arrepentido Nominated [24]
Best Lead Actress - Drama Series Natalia Oreiro Won
Best Lead Actor - Drama Series Gustavo Bassani Nominated
Best Showrunner Daniel Burman Won
Silver Condor Awards Best Drama Series Iosi, el espía arrepentido Won [25][26]
Best Director Daniel Burman and Sebastián Borensztein Nominated
Best Leading Actor in Drama Gustavo Bassani Won
Best Supporting Actor Alejandro Awada Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Minerva Casero Nominated
Natalia Oreiro Nominated
Best Male Newcomer Gustavo Bassani Nominated
Best Female Newcomer Minerva Casero Won
Best Adapted Screenplay Sebastián Borensztein, Natacha Caravia, Andrés Gelós, Sergio Dubcovsky and Daniel Burman Won
Best Director of Photography Rodrigo Pulpeiro Nominated
Best Montage Alejandro Carrillo Penovi and Alejandro Parysow Nominated
Best Art Direction Marcelo Salvioli Nominated
Best Costume Design Carolina Duré and Roberta Pesci Nominated
Best Original Music Federico Jusid Won
Best Makeup and Hairstyling Alberto Moccia Nominated
Best Sound Design Jésica Suárez Won
2023 Platino Awards Best Miniseries or TV series Iosi, el espía arrepentido Nominated [27][28]
Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or TV series Alejandro Awada Won
Best Series Creator Daniel Burman Nominated
International Emmy Awards Best Drama Series Yosi, the Regretful Spy Nominated
Best Actor Gustavo Bassani Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Avidan, Igal. "Espionage tangos with terror in Amazon series about Argentina's unresolved bombings". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  2. ^ Hajdenberg, Jackie (2022-07-20). "The real story behind 'Yosi, the Regretful Spy,' the Amazon drama about terror and espionage in Argentina's Jewish community". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  3. ^ "Ya llega "Iosi, el espía argentino", thriller con Natalia Oreiro y súper elenco". Todo Noticias (in Spanish). 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  4. ^ de 2022, 26 de Mayo. ""Iosi, el espía arrepentido" tendrá una segunda temporada en Prime Video". infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "Todos los ganadores de los primeros Premios Cóndor de Plata a las Series 2022 y los mejores looks de la noche". LA NACION (in Spanish). 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  6. ^ "Iosi, el espía arrepentido: política, terrorismo y redención, en una serie sobre el agente que encontró su identidad perdida en medio de una investigación". LA NACION (in Spanish). 2022-04-28. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  7. ^ "Natalia Oreiro y el desafío de interpretar a una espía antisemita y manipuladora". Todo Noticias (in Spanish). 2022-06-11. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  8. ^ Clarín.com (2022-04-26). "Natalia Oreiro presenta 'Iosi, el espía arrepentido' sobre los atentados a la Embajada de Israel y la AMIA". Clarín (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  9. ^ Argentina, Cadena 3. "Iosi, el espía arrepentido busca el perdón de sus víctimas". Cadena 3 Argentina (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ de 2022, Por Belén Marinone31 de Marzo. "Carla Quevedo y los vínculos escurridizos: "El amor como lo esperamos no existe"". infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Minerva Casero y Carla Quevedo cuentan cómo es 'Iosi, el espía arrepentido' | Entrevista Exclusiva, retrieved 2023-02-23
  12. ^ "Matías Mayer: de Casi Normales a Iosi, el espía arrepentido y de la astrología a una impensada carrera para un actor". LA NACION (in Spanish). 2022-05-26. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  13. ^ "Iosi, el espía arrepentido: los protagonistas de la exitosa serie adelantan las revelaciones de la segunda temporada". LA NACION (in Spanish). 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  14. ^ Migelez, Xabier (2017-02-20). "Mediapro prepara 'IOSI: el espía arrepentido' y 'Stroke' tras unirse a Oficina Burman". elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  15. ^ "Amazon confirma su primera tanda de series originales en Argentina, Chile y Colombia". CineramaPlus (in Spanish). 2020-01-25. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  16. ^ "Prime Video anuncia la fecha de estreno de Iosi, el espía arrepentido". TTV News (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  17. ^ Whittock, Jesse (2022-05-27). "'Yosi, The Regretful Spy': Amazon Greenlights Second Season Of Daniel Burman Drama". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  18. ^ Redacción. "Natalia Oreiro confirma la segunda temporada de Iosi, el espía arrepentido". El Observador. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  19. ^ "HBO y Amazon vinieron a filmar a Uruguay: conocé los títulos y los famosos del elenco". EL PAIS. 2021-01-22. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  20. ^ Redacción (2022-05-30). ""Iosi, el espía arrepentido", la serie creada por Daniel Burman, tendrá su segunda temporada con actores israelíes". GPS Audiovisual (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  21. ^ www.areaw3.com, AreaW3-. "AMAZON SERIES FILMED IN URUGUAY PREMIERES FIRST SEASON - News". XXI. Retrieved 2023-02-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "Canelones registra un importante aumento en los rodajes destinados a plataformas de streaming | Intendencia de Canelones". imcanelones.gub.uy. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
  23. ^ Kollmann, Raúl (2022-05-07). ""Iosi, el espía arrepentido" en Prime: Lo que la serie cuenta de una historia apasionante y lo que queda disimulado". PAGINA12 (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  24. ^ "Produ Awards - List of winners" (PDF).
  25. ^ "Todos los nominados a los primeros Premios Cóndor de Plata a las Series". EscribiendoCine (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  26. ^ "Todos los ganadores de los primeros Premios Cóndor de Plata a las Series 2022 y los mejores looks de la noche". LA NACION (in Spanish). 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  27. ^ "Premios Platino celebra 10 años y estos son los nominados para 2023". HOLA (in Spanish). 2023-03-09. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  28. ^ Ntim, Zac (2023-04-23). "Platino Awards Winners: 'Argentina, 1985' And 'News Of A Kidnapping' Sweep Top Honors". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
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