Award-winning actress Gemma Arterton is set to star in ITV's upcoming espionage thriller "Secret Service," based on the novel by Tom Bradby. The five-part drama series will feature Arterton as Kate Henderson, a senior MI6 officer leading a double life.
On screen, Kate appears to be an ordinary civil servant with a husband Stuart (played by Rafe Spall) and two teenage children. Behind the scenes, she heads MI6's Russia Desk and becomes entangled in a high-stakes mission when she discovers evidence suggesting a prominent British politician could be working as a Russian asset.
The stellar cast includes Alex Kingston, Roger Allam, Amaka Okafor, and Khalid Abdalla. The series will be filmed in Malta and London this spring, with Oscar-winning director James Marsh helming the first three episodes. Farren Blackburn will direct the remaining two episodes.
"I am delighted to be stepping into the world of such a topical and gripping espionage thriller with this talented creative team," said Arterton, expressing her enthusiasm for the project.
The series is being produced by Potboiler Productions, with Gail Egan and Andrea Calderwood serving as executive producers. Tom Bradby and Jemma Kennedy have co-written all five episodes, bringing their combined expertise to craft an intricate narrative of espionage and personal conflict.
Director James Marsh praised the project, noting the "uncanny echoes in real-world politics" within the scripts and the exceptional ensemble cast assembled for the production.
"Secret Service" is scheduled to premiere on ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player in 2026, promising viewers a compelling blend of political intrigue and personal drama in the world of international espionage.