Former Conservative MP Michael Gove will portray a fictional prime minister navigating war with Russia in a new Sky TV series titled The Wargame. The four-part show, produced by The Garden as part of ITV Studios, is based on the Sky podcast of the same name and will depict fictional COBRA-style meetings following a Russian attack on UK soil.
Cast and Roles
The series features a cross-party cabinet, with former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon playing deputy prime minister. Former Conservative MP Dame Penny Mordaunt takes the role of defence secretary, Labour’s Baroness Harriet Harman serves as home secretary, and former Labour MP Jim Murphy plays foreign secretary. The cabinet also includes Tory Baroness Sayeeda Warsi as attorney general, Labour Baroness Ayesha Hazarika as director of communications, retired British Army general Sir Richard Barrons as chief of defence staff, former diplomat Lord Kim Darroch as national security adviser, and former MI6 officer Christopher Steele as intelligence chief.
Opposing them is a team of Russia experts led by British writer Keir Giles. International roles include Anthony Scaramucci as US secretary of state and Lord George Robertson as Nato secretary general.
Production and Timing
Phil Edgar-Jones, executive director of unscripted originals at Sky, said: “A year ago, Sky News’ groundbreaking original podcast The Wargame captivated listeners, shedding light on the impossible choices our country’s leaders face under escalating military threat. Now working with the talented team at The Garden we’re bringing The Wargame to new audiences in a visceral new TV format, which will challenge some of the most experienced political and military minds in the country to imagine how they might respond under threat of war. At a time when we are facing increasing threats from all sides, this series couldn’t be more timely.”
The Wargame will air on Sky and Now in September 2025.
