Spy High: All you need to know About the Explosive Docuseries Based on a real-life Surveillance Scandal

A shocking real-life surveillance scandal is about to hit the screen! Spy High, a gripping new docuseries, dives deep into a 2010 lawsuit that rocked a prestigious school district, exposing the chilling reality of student privacy violations. With twists that feel straight out of a thriller, this series unravels how a seemingly ordinary school laptop program spiraled into a national controversy, raising urgent questions about who’s really watching.

The buzz around Spy High is only growing! Following its SXSW 2025 debut, where it won the coveted Audience Award, the docuseries has recently dropped a jaw-dropping trailer that hints at shocking revelations and never-before-seen footage. Packed with firsthand accounts and explosive insights, the series doesn’t just recount the scandal—it exposes the broader battle over digital surveillance in schools.

If you think you know this story, think again. Spy High uncovers disturbing truths that go beyond one lawsuit. So, what really happened behind closed doors? Who was responsible? And how far does this issue go? Get ready for an eye-opening deep dive- because this is just the beginning. Stay tuned as we uncover more!

Release date & Where to Watch

All four episodes of Spy High will drop on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, streaming on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories. 

What is the plot of Spy High?

Spy High is a docuseries that unpacks the chilling story of 15-year-old Blake Robbins, whose life was upended when his prestigious public school accused him of selling drugs—based on a webcam photo secretly taken in his own bedroom. His lawsuit against the school district exposed a shocking surveillance scandal, sparking an FBI investigation and igniting a nationwide debate over student privacy.

Director Jody McVeigh-Schultz highlighted the broader implications of the case, stating in a press release: “Spy High isn’t just a story about digital privacy. It’s about how we make decisions as communities, how we decide what’s best for our kids, and who makes those decisions. It’s about what we prioritize and value, as our schools mold and shape young people into fully-formed adults. It’s about the often blurry line between protecting our children… and controlling them.”

Mark Wahlberg who executive produces the docuseries said in a statement (via People): "As a parent, I am always concerned about my kids' privacy. This docuseries is a shocking reminder that our kids’ digital lives are constantly under surveillance.” 

Director Jody McVeigh-Schultz explained that the case went beyond just surveillance, saying: “Blake was a known troublemaker, and they used his images to accuse him of selling drugs. Keron was an African American honors student, whose laptop was monitored immediately after he had been racially profiled and accused of stealing.” 

The series sheds light on the growing use of surveillance technology in schools across the country. With disturbing revelations and larger implications for digital rights, Spy High is a gripping look at how far institutions will go in the name of security—and whether the line between safety and privacy has already been crossed.

Who’s in the cast of Spy High?

• Paige Bardhoshi
• April Duran
• Keron Williams
• Blake Robbins
• Jalil Hasan
• Elizabeth Laird
• Bill Bender
• Michael Robbins
• Holly Robbins
• Mark Haltzman
• June Coleman-Allen

Is There a Trailer for Spy High?

The trailer for the upcoming docuseries Spy High offers a gripping glimpse into the unsettling events surrounding student surveillance in a Pennsylvania high school. It opens with a voiceover stating, "Is your high school watching you?" underscoring the invasion of privacy that is central to the series. ​

​Then comes a glimpse into the unsettling events surrounding a school's covert surveillance of its students. It opens with a student's revelation, "And that green light comes on... that's how you know they're watching you." This ominous statement sets the tone for a narrative that delves deep into privacy violations within educational institutions.

As the trailer progresses, the gravity of the situation becomes evident. A concerned voice emphasizes the invasion, "We put doors on teenagers' bedrooms for a reason." ​

The footage highlights the ordeal of 15-year-old Blake Robbins, who was accused of drug dealing based on images captured through his school-issued laptop's webcam. The trailer features a reenactment of the moment Robbins was confronted, with a school official presenting the incriminating photo.

This pivotal scene sets the stage for the ensuing legal battle and the broader implications regarding digital privacy in educational settings. ​The trailer also touches on racial profiling concerns, as highlighted by a student's experience: "I definitely felt racially profiled." ​

Spy High promises to explore these multifaceted issues, shedding light on the delicate balance between security measures and personal freedoms in the digital age. Watch the official trailer below.

What real-life case is Spy High Based on?

In 2010, 15-year-old high school sophomore Blake Robbins and 2,000 other students in Pennsylvania’s Lower Merion School District received school-issued laptops to use at home. The district stated that the initiative aimed to “ensure that all students have 24/7 access to school-based resources,” as reported by NBC 10.

However, Robbins’ life took a dramatic turn when he was summoned to the principal’s office at Harriton High School and accused of selling drugs. School officials cited a webcam photo taken in his bedroom as evidence—only for it to be revealed that the so-called "drugs" were actually Mike and Ike candy. (via PEOPLE)

The lawsuit against the school district alleged that officials used the webcams to spy on students in their homes. The district admitted to installing security software but denied using it for surveillance, NPR reported. 

“At no time have I ever monitored a student via a laptop webcam,” Assistant Vice Principal Lynn Matsko stated, per NPR. “Nor have I ever authorized the monitoring of a student via security tracking webcam either at school or within the home. And I never would.” 

The district claimed the software, which captured photos every 15 minutes, was meant to track lost or stolen laptops and was used 42 times during the 2009-2010 school year, according to Forbes. Reports indicated that over 56,000 webcam images were taken through the student laptops, WHYY reported. The case prompted an FBI investigation, but charges were ultimately dropped, CNN noted. The Robbins family later settled for $610,000, CBS News reported. 

In a statement to PEOPLE, the Lower Merion School District clarified that they "did not participate" in the docuseries and directed filmmakers to a 2010 independent investigation by a law firm. "Importantly, that extensive investigation found 'no evidence that District personnel used TheftTrack to 'spy' on students, or that District personnel surreptitiously downloaded images from the LANrev server," the district stated.

Behind the Scenes

The upcoming docuseries Spy High is created and directed by Jody McVeigh-Schultz. Produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Mark Wahlberg’s Unrealistic Ideas, the series is executive produced by Wahlberg, Archie Gips, Stephen Levinson, Aliza Rosen, McVeigh-Schultz, and David Wendell.

Lauren Anderson, head of brand and content innovation at Amazon MGM, emphasized the series' significance: “We’re proud to bring this important and thought-provoking docuseries, which explores the events that unfolded in 2010, to our global Prime Video customers.” (via Variety)

She highlighted its deep dive into the intersection of technology, privacy, and education and hoped that it would spark critical discussions on security and personal rights in schools.