Scripted

All3Media International has announced a pre-sale line-up for Potboiler’s international espionage thriller Secret Service. The series follows senior MI6 officer Kate Henderson (Gemma Arterton) as a covert investigation uncovers evidence that a high-ranking UK politician may be working as a Russian asset. With trust shattered and her career on the line, Kate must navigate the shifting sands of political loyalty, international threat, and personal sacrifice.

In EMEA, the exploitation rights for Secret Service for Germany, Austria and Switzerland have been licensed to ARD Plus. In Germany, the five-part series will launch exclusively in a first window release on MagentaTV/Deutsche Telekom before becoming available on ARD Plus. In Switzerland, the first window will be exclusively available on blue Play (blue TV). The release strategy is being implemented in close cooperation between ARD Plus and all participating platform partners.
Additionally in this region Secret Service has been licensed across Scandinavia where it will be available on NRK (Norway), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), RUV (Iceland) and Sweden (SVT). The series will debut in Spain on Movistar Plus+, AntenaPLAY in Romania and Cosmote in Greece.

Stan has acquired the series for Australian audiences. Secret Service has been licensed in New Zealand for Sky New Zealand and will be broadcast on Three and ThreeNow. In APAC, the series has also been acquired in a pan territory deal covering Asia and India for its premium SVOD drama channel, BBC First and its multi-genre SVOD service, BBC Player.

Adapted from the topical novel by ITV News anchor Tom Bradby and produced by Potboiler Productions. With direction from Oscar-winner James Marsh (Man on Wire, The Theory of Everything) and a cast joining Gemma Arterton, including Rafe Spall, Alex Kingston, Mark Stanley, Roger Allam, Amaka Okafor, Aoife Hinds, Avi Nash, Alma Prelec and Khalid Abdalla, the series explores the world of espionage against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the UK and Russia.

Produced by leading independent producers Potboiler Productions, the series is executive produced by Gail Egan (Funny Woman, A Most Wanted Man, The Little Stranger) and Andrea Calderwood (The Buccaneers, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Die My Love). Tom Bradby and Chloe Sizer are exec producers.

ITV’s Director of Drama Polly Hill has commissioned the series and the production is overseen by Drama Commissioner Huw Kennair Jones on behalf of the broadcaster. All3Media International are co-commissioners and will be responsible for the international distribution of the drama.

Maartje Horchner, EVP Content at All3Media International commented, “The international appetite for cinematic, high-stakes and star-studded programming is evident through this strong slate of pre-sales and it’s been a rare privilege to partner with Potboiler and ITV to bring an A-List led global espionage thriller to markets around the world. Gemma Arterton and Rafe Spall are on top form in this pacy thriller, that pairs powerhouse performances with edge-of-your-seat storytelling, propelling audiences across London, Malta, Finland and beyond.”

Secret Service will air on ITV1 and ITVX this spring.