The media and 'Mrs Petrov': press representations of Australia’s most famous spy

Evdokia Petrova is undoubtedly the most famous female spy in Australia’s Cold War history. She was thrust into the spotlight during the 1954 Petrov Affair, when she instantly captured the attention of a spellbound Australian press. This article examines the complicated portrayal of Evdokia Petrova and demonstrates that by linking Evdokia with ideas of nationhood, home and marriage, the Australian press ultimately conformed to the prevalent gender stereotypes in espionage narratives. Moreover, by portraying Evdokia in this way, the press was able to both shore up both gender and national identities while reducing the threat posed by Soviet espionage.