ITV has now confirmed when ‘Secret Service’ will land, with the five-part espionage thriller arriving later this April on ITV1 and ITVX.
Based on the bestselling novel by Tom Bradby, the drama stars Gemma Arterton (Funny Woman, The King’s Man) as senior MI6 officer Kate Henderson, who uncovers intelligence suggesting a high-ranking British politician may be working as a Russian asset. As suspicion spreads and trust starts to fracture, she is pulled into a conspiracy where political loyalty, national security and her own personal life begin to collide.
That setup already made ‘Secret Service’ look like one of ITV’s more promising homegrown thrillers of the year, and the confirmed launch date now puts it firmly on the channel’s spring slate. With its Russia-focused storyline, shifting allegiances and contemporary political backdrop, it has all the ingredients for a tense and timely Sunday-night-style spy drama, even if ITV is actually dropping it on a Monday.
Alongside Arterton, the cast includes Rafe Spall (The Salisbury Poisonings), Mark Stanley (Happy Valley), Rochenda Sandall (Line of Duty), Alex Kingston (Doctor Who), Roger Allam (Endeavour), Amaka Okafor (Bodies), Avi Nash (The Walking Dead), Aoife Hinds (Dune: Prophecy), Alma Prelec (The Chelsea Detective) and Khalid Abdalla (The Crown).
The series is adapted from Bradby’s novel and reunites him with Oscar-winning director James Marsh, who directs the first three episodes, with Farren Blackburn directing the final two. All five episodes are co-written by Bradby and Jemma Kennedy, with Gail Egan producing for Potboiler Productions. Filmed in Malta and London, the drama looks set to bring an international edge to its story of espionage, betrayal and growing paranoia.
‘Secret Service’ premieres Monday, 27th April 2026 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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