Secret Service is an ITV adaptation of a thriller penned by one of its own news presenters – but what is Gemma Arterton and Rafe Spall’s new spy series about?

Production is currently underway on ITV‘s thrilling new spy story Secret Service. It’s adapted from the book of the same name by author and ITV news anchor Tom Bradby. His espionage-filled world plunges viewers into a clandestine arena of high-stake secrets.

At the heart of the drama are Kate and Stuart – a seemingly ordinary couple who are actually anything but. Unbeknownst to most, Civil Servant Kate actually mans the Russia Desk at MI6, spending her days dealing with shady characters and dodging close calls.

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When a new threat emerges, the lines separating her professional and personal life begin to blur. At the same time, the safety of the public is very much in jeopardy.

Sounds tense, right? This energetic new spy series promises to go big on action, intrigue, and edge of your seat drama. It has even enlisted an Oscar-winning director to deliver the goods.

So, what else do we know? Read on for our official Secret Service case file, including plot details, cast information and when you is starts on ITV.

What is the plot?

Secret Service follows Gemma Arterton’s character Kate Henderson. To the untrained eye, she’s just a regular person. Wife to Stuart (Rafe Spall) and mum to a pair of teenagers. However, in reality, she’s a senior officer at MI6. Her role? To oversee the desk on top secret Russian intelligence.

When Kate’s super-secret day job uncovers clues suggesting a high-ranking UK politician may be a Russian asset, she’s forced to get to the bottom of the situation…

According to the show’s synopsis, it’s a journey that’ll require her to “navigate the shifting sands of political loyalty, international threat, and personal sacrifice”.

It’ll also bring her professional and personal life into uncomfortable proximity. As the show’s log-line continues to unpack: “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.”

Described as “suspenseful, timely and cinematic”, it sounds very much like appointment viewing. Count us in.

Who’s in the cast of ITV’s new thriller Secret Service?

Gemma Arterton takes the lead as Kate Henderson, the MI6 operative plunged into action.

Fans will know her best from films like 2021’s The King’s Man and her 2017 break-out role in St Trinian’s. Between 2022 and 2024, she starred in two series of Nick Hornby’s Funny Woman on Sky Max.

Meanwhile, Rafe Spall plays Kate’s husband Stuart. While little is known about his character, we’re sure he’ll have a crucial role in Kate’s latest case. Son of Death Valley‘s Timothy, Rafe is a familiar face to film and TV fans. He’s appeared in a range of films and TV shows, from Black Mirror and The English, to dino-sequel Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

Joining Kate’s mission is Endeavour’s Roger Allam as a character named C. The Walking Dead’s Avi Nash will also star as someone known as Rev.

Doctor Who actor Alex Kingston appears in an as-yet-unnamed role. As will Bodies actor Amaka Okafor, The Day of the Jackal’s Khalid Abdalla, and Vigils‘ Mark Stanley.

Rounding out the cast are Normal People’s Aoife Hinds as Julie, Amandaland’s Rochenda Sandall, and Alma Prelec as Lena. Actors Galaxie Clear, Michael Tcherepashenets, Juris Žagars, Miglen Mirtchev, Petar Zekavica, Lana Vlady, Petar Zekavica and Harley Barton will also help bring Secret Service to life on ITV.

Gemma Arterton has previously shared her excitement at joining such an action-orientated show. She said: “I am delighted to be stepping into the world of such a topical and gripping espionage thriller with this talented creative team. I can’t wait to bring this story to life alongside the outstanding cast.”

Secret Service ITV – when’s the start date?

This thriller will be released in 2026, but an official date has yet to be set. Once ready, eager fans will find Secret Service on ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player.

Cast and crew filmed in various spots in Malta and London. Judging by the latest batch of on-location imagery, the show has spared no expense in capturing a sweeping spy epic.

“We’ve assembled a brilliant ensemble of actors to bring to life these gripping, compelling scripts which have uncanny echoes in real-world politics,” said director James Marsh. “It’s an exciting and irresistible prospect for a film maker.”

How many episodes will there be?

Secret Service is a five-part ITV mini-series, and we’d expect each episode to be around an hour long. The show’s first three episodes are directed by James Marsh. He’s the Academy Award winning filmmaker who brought us touching dramas like 2014’s The Theory of Everything with Eddie Redmayne, and British heist King of Thieves.

Marsh also directed the nail-biting documentary Man on Wire about Philippe Petit’s daring and dangerous tightrope walk across the World Trade Centre buildings in 1974.

This isn’t the first time he’s adapted Tom Bradby’s work. The pair previously crossed paths when Marsh brought the author’s political thriller Shadow Dancer to the big screen in 2012.

“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,” said Bradby.

“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. And the show could hardly be more timely and topical.”

Meanwhile, Gangs of London’s Farren Blackburn joins the production to direct episodes four and five.

What is Tom Bradby’s book about?

ITV anchor turned best-selling author Tom Bradby has co-written Secret Service with screenwriter Jemma Kennedy. For all those in the dark about the Secret Service story, the official novel synopsis helps shed some light on what to expect.

It says: “The world is on the brink of crisis. The Cold War is playing out once more on the global stage. The worlds’ governments will do whatever it takes to stay at the top…

“To those who don’t really know her, Kate Henderson’s life must seem perfectly ordinary. But she is in fact a senior MI6 officer, who right now is nursing the political equivalent of a nuclear bomb.

“Kate’s most recent mission has yielded the startling intelligence that the British Prime Minister has cancer – and that one of the leading candidates to replace him may be a Russian agent of influence.”

It continues: “Up against the clock to uncover the Russian mole, Kate risks everything to get to the truth. But with her reputation to uphold, her family hanging by a thread and a leadership election looming, she is quickly running out of options, and out of time.”

Fans get to explore these themes in vivid detail when Secret Service hits ITV next year.

Secret Service comes to ITV1 in 2026.