Sam Raimi's Forgotten Spy Thriller Crashes and Burns

Sam Raimi, renowned for his cinematic achievements like the "Evil Dead" franchise and the "Spider-Man" films, also ventured into television production. In 1997, he co-created the ABC series "Spy Game" with his brother Ivan Raimi and John McNamara. This series focused on the challenges arising from former secret agents becoming rogue following the Soviet Union's collapse.

The show featured Linden Ashby as Lorne Cash, a retired agent tasked with apprehending these former spies. Despite its inspiration from classic spy shows, "Spy Game" received harsh criticism, with Variety labeling it "loud, unoriginal and unimaginative." Consequently, the series was canceled after only three episodes, a stark contrast to Raimi's later television successes.