After binge-watching the latest seasons of The Capture, The Night Agent and Slow Horses within a matter of days, we've been calling out for another gripping spy drama. And ITV has clearly heard our calls, delivering what's set to be the biggest espionage series of the season.
Secret Service is the latest spy thriller to take to ITV1 and ITVX, adapted from the best-selling novel by ITV journalist Tom Bradby. The series was co-written by Bradby and Jemma Kennedy. James Marsh (The Theory of Everything) directs the first three episodes, with Farren Blackburn (Daredevil) taking over four and five. Executive producers are listed as Gail Egan and Andrea Calderwood.
The TV series centres around the life of seemingly standard civil servant Kate Henderson who's actually heading up the Russia desk of MI6. Juggling her high-risk job with family life, when someone is accused of being a Russian asset Henderson must toe the line of espionage without risking it all.
The five-part nail-biter is set to premiere tonight on ITV1 and ITVX on Monday, 27th April. And you'll definitely have seen some of the stellar cast on your screen before.
The full cast of Secret Service:
- Gemma Arterton as Kate Henderson
- Rafe Spall as Stuart Henderson
- Roger Allam as Sir Alan Brabazon aka C
- Alex Kingston as Rose
- Avi Nash as Rev
- Mark Stanley as Ryan Walker
- Alexander Terentyev as Sergey Malinski aka Cyclops
- Khalid Abdalla as undisclosed character
Meet the cast of Secret Service:
Gemma Arterton as Kate Henderson
Who is Kate Henderson? A seemingly ordinary secret service agent who's actually also the head of the Russia desk at MI6. Kate is married to Stuart and has two teenage children too.
What else has Gemma Arterton been in? You can't not recognise Gemma Arterton from noughties classic St Trinian's and you'll have seen her in Bond film Quantum of Solace too. She's also starred in The King's Man, Rogue Agent and Murder Mystery.
Rafe Spall as Stuart Henderson
Who is Stuart Henderson? A special advisor to the government and Kate's husband.
What else has Rafe Spall been in? Most recently you'll have spotted Rafe Spall in Riz Ahmed's hit Prime Video series Bait, but you may also recognise him from Under Salt March, Smoke and Trying.
Roger Allam as Sir Alan Brabazon aka C
Who is C? This one shouldn't really need explaining if you've watched any of the Bond movies, but if it's slipped your mind, 'C' is the codename for the Head of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) .
What else has Roger Allam been in? The OG Inspector Javert of London's first stage production of Les Miserables, Roger Allam has since appeared on-screen in The Thick of It, Inspector Morse and hit HBO series Game of Thrones. He also starred in dystopian thriller V for Vendetta alongside Natalie Portman.
Alex Kingston as Rose
Who is Rose Stewan? Head of security at the Secret Intelligence Service.
What else has Alex Kingston been in? Alex Kingston is best known for her roles in ER, Doctor Who and The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders. More recently she starred in Discovery of Witches.
Avi Nash as Rev
Who is Rev? A member of the Russian desk team, Rev reports to Kate.
What else has Avi Nash been in? You'll recognise Avi Nash for playing Siddiq in AMC's The Walking Dead, Krish in season six, episode one of Black Mirror and Lukas Kyle in hit Apple TV+ series Silo.
Mark Stanley as Ryan Walker
Who is Ryan Walker? The Labour Party’s Foreign Secretary.
What else has Mark Stanley been in? Game of Thrones, Dickensian and Happy Valley, Mark Stanley has been in some of the top series to have graced our screens. He most recently stars in Under Salt Marsh and The Lady.
Secret Service will premiere on ITV1 and ITVX on Monday, 27th April at 9pm.
