to manipulate from behind the scenes; to control a situation secretly

The person behind the scenes; a backstage manipulator or wire-puller.

Behind-the-scenes footage, bonus features, or making-of clips for movies and television programs, such as bloopers, outtakes, and interviews

the person or force working behind the scenes to manipulate a situation for a bad purpose; malign agent who pulls the strings from the shadows

To step down from a prominent or public role into a behind-the-scenes position; to move from the spotlight to a place where one is no longer the center of attention.