Operation Mincemeat cast, synopsis, trailer, release date and more

Fans of spy thrillers, military movies and films based on real stories will want to make sure they add Operation Mincemeat to their upcoming Netflix watchlists. The drama directed by John Madden (Shakespeare in Love, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) is based on the book Operation Mincemeat: The True Spy Story That Changed the Course of World War II by Ben Macintyre and chronicles the scheme that tricked the Nazis during the war and helped the Allies win.

Madden directs a script written by Michelle Ashford, best known for her Emmy-nominated writing for the 2010 miniseries The Pacific and the Showtime series Masters of Sex. Simon Gillis and Christian McLaughlin serve as executive producers alongside producers Charles S. Cohen, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Kris Thykier.

Operation Mincemeat release date

The drama will release on May 11 alongside other Netflix Originals like Our Father, Brotherhood season 2, 42 Days of Darkness and The Getaway King.

Operation Mincemeat synopsis

Two British intelligence officers hatch an outlandish scheme to trick the Nazis and alter the course of World War II in this drama based on a true story.

The official synopsis, courtesy of Netflix:

"Hoping to change the course of World War II, and save tens of thousands of lives, two intelligence officers plot to break Hitler’s deadly grip on Europe by recruiting the most unlikely of secret agents: a dead man.  A true and extraordinary story."

Operation Mincemeat cast

The main draw to this film is, of course, Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen. But the movie has an excellent cast that also includes Jason Isaacs, Rufus Wright, Kelly Macdonald and more.

Here is the full cast list:

• Colin Firth as Ewen Montagu
• Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Cholmondeley
• Kelly Macdonald as Jean Leslie
• Penelope Wilton as Hester Leggett
• Johnny Flynn as Ian Fleming
• Jason Isaacs as John Godfrey
• Simon Russell Beale as Winston Churchill

Operation Mincemeat trailer

Look, we all love seeing superhero crossovers, but what about Jane Austen crossovers? Get your first glimpse of two beloved Mr. Darcys in the trailer below as Firth and Macfadyen team up for one of the most important spy missions in history.

Operation Mincemeat first look photos

Netflix released several images alongside the official trailer.

Stream Operation Mincemeat on May 11.