ITV's new spy thriller Secret Service, starring Gemma Arterton, is a glossy but derivative addition to the espionage genre. Adapted from Tom Bradby's 2019 novel, the five-part series follows MI6 agent Kate Henderson as she uncovers a potential Russian mole in the British cabinet. Despite its slick production and confident pacing, the show fails to offer anything new, relying on tired clichés and a solemn tone that drains any sense of fun.
The plot sees Henderson infiltrating the Malta base of Russian oligarch Igor Borodin, where she discovers that a cabinet member may be a Russian asset. Meanwhile, a leadership contest following the PM's resignation raises suspicions about candidates Imogen Conrad and Ryan Walker. The series takes itself so seriously that even potentially playful elements, like a sex tape or a flirtatious double agent, are handled with grim earnestness.
Performances are solid, with Roger Allam standing out as MI6 boss Sir Alan Brabazon, and Rafe Spall and Rochenda Sandall providing strong support. However, the show's lack of originality and absence of humour—unlike Slow Horses, which it is often compared to—make it a forgettable entry in a crowded genre. As the review notes, 'there’ll be another glossy espionage drama along next week.'
