There's a brand new “gripping espionage thriller” coming to ITV and Gemma Arterton will be leading the cast in what promises to be an “edge-of-your-seat” drama. The new series, Secret Service should be particularly gripping as it's inspired by current world events, making it feel all the more believable.
Award-winning star Gemma leads the new spy drama which looks set to be a popular pick for anyone who loved Black Doves, starring Keira Knightly, Ben Wishaw and Sarah Lancashire. In an ITV release, Gemma said she was "delighted to be stepping into the world of such a topical and gripping espionage thriller" and couldn't "wait to bring this story to life alongside the outstanding cast."
Here's everything we know about the exciting new show so far...
What is Secret Service about?
Secret Service follows Kate Henderson (played by Gemma Arterton) who, on the surface, appears to have an ordinary life, married to husband Stuart (played by Rafe Spall) and mum to two teenagers. However, rather than being a civil servant, as people presume, Kate is in fact a senior MI6 officer who leads the Russian Desk at the Secret Intelligence Service.
"Secret Service delves into long-standing tensions between Russia and the UK, posing urgent questions about the extent of Russian interference in British politics," says the ITV synopsis.
While undercover, Kate discovers alarming evidence that a Russian asset may be a UK politician and is on the hunt to discover their true identity. "As a brutal murder thrusts her team into the spotlight, Kate must navigate the dangerous world of espionage while trying to hold her family together and protect her reputation," adds the synopsis.
Is Secret Service a true story?
While the Secret Service plot may feel believable, it isn't a true story. It's based on a "tense and topical" novel written by ITV News anchor Tom Bradby, which explains the plot's relevant political context. The 2019 book was a Sunday Times bestseller and is described as "perfect for fans of Line of Duty, Crisis and Bodyguard."
Tom also wrote the TV script alongside scriptwriter Jemma Kennedy and said it was, “unbelievably exciting to be on the cusp of filming this drama and very thrilling to be working with [director] James Marsh," adding that, "the show could hardly be more timely and topical.”
James Marsh described the show as having "uncanny echoes in real-world politics", while ITV billed it as "a powerful drama that captures the complexity of contemporary geopolitics while delivering edge-of-your-seat storytelling."
Who is in the Secret Service cast?
Gemma Arterton leads as MI6's Kate Henderson alongside an impressive cast including:
- Rafe Spall (The English, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom)
- Mark Stanley (Adolescence, Happy Valley)
- Alex Kingston (Douglas is Cancelled, Doctor Who)
- Roger Allam (Endeavour, The Choral)
- Amaka Okafor (Bodies, The Responder)
- Khalid Abdalla (The Day of the Jackal, The Crown)
- Avi Nash
- Aoife Hinds
- Rochenda Sandall
- Alma Prelec
- Galaxie Clear
- Harley Barton
- Michael Tcherepashenets
- Petar Zekavica
- Miglen Mirtchev
- Juris Žagars
- Lana Vlady
Where can I watch Secret Service?
While the official release date hasn't yet been released, we know that the series will be released in five episodes on ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player next year. Filming will take place on location in London and Malta this spring.
