The show adapts the novel by ITV News anchor Tom Bradby.
ITV have announced Secret Service, a new, high-profile espionage drama starring Gemma Arterton.
Adapted from Tom Bradby’s novel, the show promises “to be a powerful drama that captures the complexity of contemporary geopolitics while delivering edge-of-your-seat storytelling.”
Arterton will play senior MI6 officer Kate Henderson alongside Rafe Spall (The English) and Alex Kingston (Douglas is Cancelled). Mark Stanley (Adolescence), Roger Allam (Endeavour), Amaka Okafor (The Responder) and Khalid Abdalla (The Day of the Jackal) also star.
Here’s the synopsis for Secret Service
The drama follows senior MI6 officer Kate Henderson (Gemma Arterton). On the surface, her life appears ordinary—a civil servant married to Stuart (Rafe Spall) with two teenage children. However, to those who don’t know her well, Kate’s true role is heading the Russia Desk at the Secret Intelligence Service.
When her undercover operations reveal alarming evidence that a high-ranking UK politician may be a Russian asset, Kate finds herself in a desperate race to uncover their 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.
The wider ensemble for the show includes Avi Nash, Aoife Hinds, Rochenda Sandall, Alma Prelec, Galaxie Clear, Harley Barton, Michael Tcherepashenets, Petar Zekavica, Miglen Mirtchev, Juris Žagars and Lana Vlady.
Secret Service re-teams Tom Bradby with director James Marsh (The Theory of Everything). The pair previously collaborated on the feature film Shadow Dancer.
Bradby has co-written this adaptation with Jemma Kennedy (The Buccaneers) and the series films in Malta and London this spring.
Gemma Arterton said:
“I am delighted to be stepping into the world of such a topical and gripping espionage thriller with this talented creative team. Collaborating with Tom Bradby, Jemma Kennedy, James Marsh, and the remarkable production team at Potboiler is incredibly exciting. I can’t wait to bring this story to life alongside the outstanding cast.”
Tom Bradby said:
“It is unbelievably exciting to be on the cusp of filming this drama and very thrilling to be working with James Marsh again, after the brilliant experience we had with Shadow Dancer. And as for the cast? Gemma Arterton, Rafe Spall, Roger Allam and many more fantastic actors… I’m really blown away by the quality of the cast Gail and the producers have put together. And the show could hardly be more timely and topical.”
The five-part Secret Service comes from Potboiler Productions, with executive producers Gail Egan (Funny Woman) and Andrea Calderwood (The Buccaneers). James Marsh directs the first three episodes, with Farren Blackburn (Gangs of London) helming the final two.
If the series takes off, Bradby has two further Kate Henderson novels in waiting, Double Agent and Triple Cross.
We’ll keep you posted on Secret Service, which is set to air in 2026.