ITV has commissioned a television adaptation of Secret Service, a high-octane, political spy thriller penned by ITV News anchor Tom Bradby. The series is co-written by Bradby and fellow screenwriter Jemma Kennedy and will be produced by award-winning producers Potboiler Productions.
Described as “a suspenseful, fresh-from-the-headlines story deeply rooted in today’s political landscape”, Secret Service delves into the long-standing tensions between Russia and the UK and imagines a Russian threat at the heart of British politics.
“Tom and Jemma’s thrilling scripts could not be more timely in their exploration of this complex cat-and-mouse game between East and West.”
The five-part series follows senior MI6 officer Kate Henderson, who, to most people, appears to lead an ordinary life as a happily married mother of two with a job in the civil service. However, her real job is heading up the Russia Desk of the Secret Intelligence Service. When her undercover operations uncover evidence that a senior UK politician , who is in contention to be the next Prime Minister, may be a high-level Russian asset, Kate is in a race against time to expose their identity.
Things take a dark turn when a young woman is brutally murdered, putting Kate and her team under the spotlight. With her reputation, family, and an upcoming election at stake, Kate must act quickly as the clock is ticking.
ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill, commissioned the series alongside Senior Drama Commissioner Helen Ziegler, who expressed delight at working with Bradby, Kennedy, and the Potboiler team. She said: “Tom and Jemma’s thrilling scripts could not be more timely in their exploration of this complex cat-and-mouse game between East and West.”
Bradby, who has long dreamed of adapting his novel for television, shared similar sentiments, stating: “I always dreamed of turning Secret Service into a compelling and enthralling TV series, so I am completely thrilled that ITV have commissioned this series and can’t wait to be on set in London and Malta. I felt the themes were achingly topical when I wrote the novel – and they have only become more so since.”
Secret Service will premiere on ITV1 and be available for streaming on ITVX. Filming is set to commence in London and Malta early next year, with no premiere date announced yet.
