Saul Berenson

Lore & Background

In the aftermath of the CIA bombing at the end of season 2, Saul Berenson first serves as Acting Director of the Counterterrorism Center before becoming Deputy Director of the CIA in season 3. He establishes a grandiose plot to turn Major General Majid Javadi, the Deputy Chief of Iranian Intelligence for external operations who was involved in covering up the Iranian government's involvement in the Langley bombing, in order to have him influence policy for the United States in Iran. Saul is Carrie's old boss and mentor, and his estranged wife is Mira Berenson. He works alongside retired black ops specialist Dar Adal and CIA black ops operative Peter Quinn.

In Their Own Story

The office was quiet save for the hum of the servers. Saul stood by the window, watching the rain streak against the glass of the Langley building. In his hand, a tumbler of bourbon caught the dim light from the desk lamp. He stared at the file on the table, knowing that signing it would save an asset but cost him everything else. The phone buzzed once. He didn't answer. Some secrets were too heavy to share over a line.

Reader's Guide

Saul Berenson serves as the Acting Director of the CIA during the third season, following the bombing of CIA headquarters at the end of season 2. His primary operational focus is turning Major General Majid Javadi, the Iranian Deputy Intelligence Chief who financed the Langley bombing, to influence Iranian policy for the United States. He is Carrie Mathison's old boss and mentor, and maintains a close working relationship with her despite the chaos surrounding Nicholas Brody, who is on the run suspected of delivering and activating the bomb. Saul's personal life includes his estranged wife Mira Berenson. He works alongside key CIA personnel including Dar Adal, a retired black ops specialist, and Peter Quinn, a CIA black ops operative. His plot to turn Javadi represents a high-stakes intelligence operation that defines the season's narrative arc.

Did You Know?

• Saul Berenson first serves as Acting Director of the Counterterrorism Center before becoming Deputy Director of the CIA in season 3, not immediately after the season 2 bombing.
• He establishes a plot to turn Major General Majid Javadi, the Deputy Chief of Iranian Intelligence for external operations who was involved in covering up the Iranian government's involvement in the Langley bombing.

Mentorship and Professional Ascension

Saul Berenson serves as the steadfast mentor to Carrie Mathison, guiding her through the treacherous waters of intelligence work while managing his own rise within the agency. Following the CIA bombing at the end of season 2, he is instituted as Acting Director of the CIA. In this capacity, he orchestrates a grandiose plot to turn Major General Majid Javadi, the Iranian Deputy Intelligence Chief who financed the Langley bombing, in order to have him influence policy for the United States in Iran. Throughout these transitions, Saul remains a constant figure of stability and strategic acumen, bridging the gap between field operations and high-level diplomatic maneuvering.

Critical Acclaim and Award Recognition

For the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards, Mandy Patinkin was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Saul Berenson. The season was also nominated for Best Drama Series for the 2014 Writers Guild of America Awards. For the 20th Screen Actors Guild Awards, the cast was nominated for Best Drama Ensemble, and the series was nominated for Best Stunt Team.

Diplomatic Engagements and Final Missions

In the concluding chapter of the series, Saul Berenson transitions from an intelligence director to a key diplomatic figure tasked with resolving long-standing conflicts. As National Security Advisor, he is dispatched to Afghanistan to engage directly with the Taliban in peace negotiations, marking a significant shift from covert operations to overt statecraft. This mission necessitates the assistance of Carrie Mathison, who has recently endured confinement in a Russian prison and is now recovering from her ordeal. Their collaboration highlights the enduring professional bond between mentor and protégé, as they navigate the dangerous terrain of international relations together. Saul's involvement in these negotiations represents the culmination of his decades-long career, moving beyond the shadows of counterterrorism to attempt a lasting resolution for one of the world's most volatile regions.

Narrative Evolution Across Eight Seasons

The storyline began with Carrie's suspicion of a returned Marine hero and expanded into broader conflicts involving Iranian intelligence, Russian infiltration, and domestic political upheavals. As the narrative progressed through various global locations including Beirut, Kabul, Berlin, and New York, Saul adapted to changing roles within the administration. From overseeing drone strikes in Pakistan to managing the fallout of arrests under a new presidency, his character remained central to the show's exploration of loyalty and betrayal. The series finale brought these threads together, resolving the long-standing tensions between the United States and Afghanistan while cementing the legacy of its characters.