FormerBondgirl Gemma Arterton will headlineSecret Service, an adaptation of a Tom Bradby novel. Arterton will be best known to many audiences for her role as Strawberry Fields inQuantum of Solace(2008). The British actor also appeared in projects likeHansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters(2013) andThe King’s Man(2021). Bradby, on the other hand, who is a long-time ITV journalist and presenter, released his first novel in 1998 withShadow Dancer. He has since released nine more, withSecret Servicearriving in 2019.
THRnow reports thatArterton will star opposite Rafe Spall in a five-part adaptation ofSecret Servicefor ITV. The show, which is produced by Potboiler Productions, is set to start filming this spring in Malta and London. Oscar-winning director James Marsh (Man on Wire) will direct the first three episodes while Farren Blackburn (Gangs of London) will direct episodes 4 and 5. Screenwriter Jemma Kennedy (The Buccaneers) co-wrote all five episodes with Bradby. Check out the synopsis forSecret Servicebelow:
The show follows senior MI6 officer Kate Henderson (Arterton). On the surface, her life appears ordinary— a civil servant married to Stuart (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 U.K. 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,” a plot synopsis reads.
In addition to Arterton and Spall,Secret Servicewill feature performances from Mark Stanley, Alex Kingston, Roger Allam, Amaka Okafor, Khalid Abdalla, Miglen Mirtchev, Avi Nash, Petar Zekavica, Aoife Hinds, Rochenda Sandall, Alma Prelec, Galaxie Clear, Harley Barton, Lana Vlady, Michael Tcherepashenets, and Juris Žagars. Arterton shared the following statement about joiningSecret Service:
“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.”
Marsh also shared a statement about the series:
“We’ve assembled a brilliant ensemble of actors to bring to life these gripping, compelling scripts which have uncanny echoes in real-world politics. It’s an exciting and irresistible prospect for a film maker.”
Secret Servicedoesn’t yet have a firm release date, butit will premiere on ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player at some point in 2026. Gail Egan and Andrea Calderwood will executive produce Secret Service, with drama commissioners Helen Ziegler and Huw Kennair Jones overseeing for ITV. The show has international distribution in place from All3Media International, which also co-commissioned, with Polly Hill having commissioned the show for ITV.
What This Means For Secret Service
Espionage TV Remains As Popular As Ever
Quantum of Solaceremains Arterton’s most well-known role, and it earned her a BAFTA Rising Star nomination in 2011. She also won Empire’s Best Newcomer award in 2009 for the same film. She has remained busy in the years since, regularly appearing as a lead or a supporting character in an array of movies and TV shows. Her most recent work includesFunny Woman(2022 – 2024),Buffalo Kids(2024),Culprits(2023), andThe Critic(2023). Many of these projects, however, have been relatively small, at least compared to aJames Bondmovie.
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Spy thriller TV shows remain immensely popular. The Michael Fassbender-starringThe Agencyhas been a hit for Paramount+, for example, just asTom Clancy’s Jack Ryanhas been for Prime Video.The Night Manager, too, whichSecret Servicesounds most similar to, was also a critical and viewership success, and a season 2 is now confirmed to be on the way.Secret Servicecould be just the show to put Arterton in the spotlight as a lead, potentially leading to more awards recognition.
The Night Managerseason 2is expected to release at some point in 2025.
Our Take On Secret Service
Arterton & Spall Could Elevate The Series
Arterton has proven experience in the espionage genre with herCraig-eraBondmovie, butSpall comes with some impressive credits himself, and the two could make for a great on-screen pairing. Spall, for example, has appeared inHot Fuzz(2007),The Big Short(2015),The Ritual(2017),Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom(2018),The War of the Worldsminiseries (2019), andThe English(2022).
If the show can strike a balance between compelling character drama and thrilling espionage action, it could find itself up there with shows likeThe Night ManagerandSlow Horsesas highlights of the spy TV genre.
Though Arterton and Spall have an opportunity to increase their own star power withSecret Service, it will, of course, come down to execution. If the show can strike a balance between compelling character drama and thrilling espionage action, it could find itself up there with shows likeThe Night ManagerandSlow Horsesas highlights of the spy TV genre. With filming set to get underway in the near future, more updates onSecret Servicemay not be far off.
