ITV commissions espionage thriller "Secret Service"

ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill has commissioned thrilling espionage drama, "Secret Service", from the pen of ITV News anchor, Tom Bradby. Adapted from Tom’s tense, topical novel of the same title, "Secret Service", is a suspenseful, fresh-from-the-headlines story deeply rooted in today’s political landscape. Tom has collaborated with fellow screenwriter, Jemma Kennedy (Captain Webb) to write the series which will premiere on ITV1 and be available for streaming on ITVX. Polly Hill has commissioned the five-part series alongside Senior Drama Commissioner, Helen Ziegler, who will oversee production of the drama on the broadcaster’s behalf.

"Secret Service" follows senior MI6 officer, Kate Henderson, whose life must seem pretty ordinary to those who don’t know her well, as she’s happily married with two teenagers and a job in the civil service. However, Kate’s real job is heading up the Russia Desk of the Secret Intelligence Service. When her undercover operations reveal alarming evidence that a senior UK politician is possibly a high-level Russian asset, Kate is in a race against time to uncover their identity.

The title is produced by leading independent producers Potboiler Productions with filming commencing in London and Malta early next year. Gail Egan ("Funny Woman", "A Most Wanted Man", "The Little Stranger") and Andrea Calderwood ("Funny Woman", "The Buccaneers", "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind") will executive produce the series for Potboiler Productions. The drama will be produced in association with All3Media International who will handle the international distribution of the series.

Helen Ziegler praised the team: “We are delighted to be working with Tom, Jemma and the team at Potboiler to bring this story of a new cold war to our screens. 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," commented.

Finally, Gail Egan and Andrea Calderwood described the material as a modern crime drama: “It is very exciting to be working with Polly and Helen at ITV on this thrilling story of espionage and politics. Tom and Jemma have created a bold and compelling drama that looks behind the curtain at the real world of modern-day spies and the machinations happening in the corridors of power which affect us all;" stated.