Gemma Arterton Gets Her James Bond on in 'Secret Service'

It hasn't even been a month since we last heard about ITV's latest thriller series, Secret Service. The series, which had begun filming a few weeks prior after languishing in development hell for the better part of a year, has been touted in ITV's press releases as ambitious, with promises of a production on par with some of the more well-heeled production studios. The five-part series spent the first part of its schedule on the Isle of Malta, filming on location, and the resulting first images from the shoot certainly look expensive. They also remind viewers that James Bond isn't the only MI-6 spy who can light up the screen, as Gemma Arterton is already on the case.

Based on the bestselling Katherine Henderson Thriller novels by ITV journalist and reporter Tom Bradby, Arterton stars in the lead role as Agent Henderson, who seems like an ordinary working mom from a stable family, other than the fact that she's an undercover senior MI-6 officer. The series, which began in 2019 with the release of Secret Service, will release its third installment, Triple Cross, in May 2025. It follows a "ripped from the headlines" type plot, where Henderson discovers that a high-ranking politician is a Russian operative, only to watch in horror as he ascends to power on the world stage.

Thus far, the series has not revealed where it will debut in the States or if an American distributor is in the works, but with these photos, it appears to be a show that multiple networks would bid for.

Here's the series synopsis:

Suspenseful, timely, and cinematic, Secret Service follows senior MI6 officer Kate Henderson 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.

One reason to be convinced that Secret Service will find an American distributor is the cast. Arterton is familiar to PBS viewers for Funny Woman, but the rest of the ensemble are also well-known and loved PBS favorites, including Roger Allam (Endeavour), Alex Kingston (Doctor Who), Mark Stanley (Game of Thrones), Amaka Okafor (Bodies), Rafe Spall (Trying), Aoife Hinds (The Long Call), Avi Nash (Black Mirror), Alma Prelec (Fifteen-Love), and Khalid Abdalla (The Crown).

Author Bradby adapted the script from his own novel, with Jemma Kennedy co-writing the adaptation. James Marsh serves as lead director, with Farren Blackburn also helming select installments. The series is executive produced by Gail Egan and Andrea Calderwood for Potboiler Productions.

Secret Service is wrapping up filming in Malta and London, and is expected to air on ITV before the end of 2025. An American distributor is expected to be announced before that.