Gemma Arterton Leads Cast in ITV’s Upcoming Espionage Thriller: Secret Service

ITV is set to captivate viewers with its new espionage drama, Secret Service, featuring the talented Gemma Arterton in a leading role. This compelling five-part series is adapted from a novel written by ITV News anchor Tom Bradby, and is produced by the renowned Potboiler Productions.

Cast and Characters

Joining Arterton are esteemed actors Rafe Spall, known for his roles in The English and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, as well as Mark Stanley from Adolescence and Happy Valley. The narrative centers on Kate Henderson, portrayed by Arterton, a seasoned MI6 officer. While she appears to lead an ordinary life as a civil servant with a family—her husband Stuart (played by Spall) and their two teenage children—Kate secretly heads the Russia Desk at the Secret Intelligence Service.

Plot Overview

The tension escalates when Kate’s undercover operations uncover potentially dangerous information suggesting that a prominent UK politician might be aligned with Russian interests. This revelation sets her on a frantic quest to reveal the politician’s identity. According to a synopsis, “As a brutal murder thrusts her team into the spotlight, Kate must navigate the treacherous waters of espionage while balancing her family life and safeguarding her reputation.”

Other notable cast members include Alex Kingston from Doctor Who, Roger Allam of Endeavour, Amaka Okafor from Bodies, and Khalid Abdalla of The Day of the Jackal.

Creative Team Insights

Arterton expressed her enthusiasm for the project, remarking, “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.”

This series marks a creative collaboration between Bradby and James Marsh, an Oscar-winning director renowned for his documentary Man on Wire. Marsh stated, “We’ve assembled a brilliant ensemble of actors to bring to life these gripping, compelling scripts that resonate with real-world politics. It’s an exciting and irresistible prospect for a filmmaker.”

Production Details and Broadcasting

Scriptwriter Jemma Kennedy, known for The Buccaneers, also joins the creative team. Filming is set to take place in Malta and London during the upcoming spring season. The cast features a diverse group, including Avi Nash, Aoife Hinds, and Rochenda Sandall, among others.

This much-anticipated series is produced by Potboiler Productions, with executive producers Gail Egan and Andrea Calderwood at the helm. Marsh will direct the initial three episodes, while Farren Blackburn—known for his work on Gangs of London—will take over for the final two installments. The production will be overseen by drama commissioners Helen Ziegler and Huw Kennair Jones for ITV.

Co-commissioned by All3Media International, Secret Service is set to premiere on ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player in 2026, under the guidance of Polly Hill, ITV’s director of drama.

For more information, visit the Hollywood Reporter.