Scripted

MGM+ has acquired Secret Service, the five-part espionage thriller starring Gemma Arterton, from Potboiler Productions.
The drama will be available on MGM+ in the U.S., Canada, Latin America and Italy. All3Media International, which co-commissioned the series with ITV, is handling international distribution.

Adapted from the novel by Tom Bradby, Secret Service follows senior MI6 officer Kate Henderson, played by Arterton, whose covert investigation uncovers evidence suggesting that a high-ranking UK politician may be working as a Russian asset. With her career and personal relationships under pressure, Kate must identify the suspected mole while navigating political loyalties and an escalating international threat.

"Secret Service is an exciting addition to the MGM+ slate," said Michael Wright, global head of MGM+. "Tom Bradby and Jemma Kennedy's adaptation, directed by Oscar-winner James Marsh and featuring star turns from Gemma Arterton, Rafe Spall, and Alex Kingston, delivers on the MGM+ promise of classic Hollywood storytelling for a modern audience. It’s smart, timely, and hugely entertaining.”

Jennifer Askin, EVP Americas at All3Media International, added: “We’re thrilled audiences in North America, Latin America and Italy will be able to dive into Potboiler’s suspenseful, topical tale of modern-day espionage following our first deal with MGM+. Combining cinematic production values and an all-star cast with a storyline packed full of high-octane political intrigue, *Secret Service* has already proved to be a ratings winner for ITV and an in-demand drama on the global stage, so it’s fantastic to see it now joining MGM+’s impressive line-up of hit television series.”

Alongside Arterton, the cast includes Rafe Spall, Alex Kingston, Mark Stanley, Roger Allam, Amaka Okafor, Aoife Hinds, Avi Nash, Alma Prelec and Khalid Abdalla.

The series was created and adapted by Tom Bradby and Jemma Kennedy and directed by Oscar winner James Marsh (Man on Wire, The Theory of Everything) and Farren Blackburn (Gangs of London, A Discovery of Witches).Executive producers are Gail Egan and Andrea Calderwood, with Bradby and Chloe Sizer also serving as executive producers. The drama was commissioned for ITV by Director of Drama Polly Hill.

The agreement marks the first acquisition between MGM+ and All3Media International, now part of Banijay Entertainment. All3Media International has already secured a number of international broadcasters for the drama, including NPO in the Netherlands, VRT in Flemish Belgium, RTP in Portugal, TRO in Georgia, WOWOW in Japan, and Yes and Hot in Israel.

Secret Service also received its Italian premiere in July at the Italian Global Series Festival, where it competed in the International Drama Competition and Rafe Spall won Best Lead Actor – Drama. Alex Kingston was recently named Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series at the National Film Awards in London.
In the UK, the series drew 3.9 million viewers for its opening episode and currently ranks as ITV1’s second-best new drama launch of 2026.

The deal was negotiated by Doug Goodkind and Andy Miller for MGM+, with Jennifer Askin, Robin Chalmers and Andrew Birtles representing All3Media International.