SECRET SERVICE mon&tue 9pm itv TV PACE NO SPOILERS

[Blondeshavemorefun]

Fans of Line of Duty, Black Doves and Happy Valley will have their void soon filled with Secret Service, ITV’s latest espionage drama. They recently unveiled a first-look trailer, and the five-part series looks to be a nail-biting watch (https://www.redonline.co.uk/entertainment/a70770212/best-tv-thrillers-april/).

Led by Gemma Arterton, the series comes from the Oscar-winning director James Marsh (The Theory of Everything) and is based on the best-selling novel (https://www.redonline.co.uk/entertainment/book-reviews/g28256073/best-books/) of the same name by Tom Bradby (which you might also recognise as ITV’s resident anchorman and friend of Prince William and Harry).

MI6 officer Kate Henderson (Arterton) is a mother to two teenage children and wife to civil servant Stuart (Spall). All seems pretty ordinary, but this is an espionage thriller, after all. Henderson’s concealed career is actually being the head of the Russia desk at the Secret Intelligence Service.

Secret Service immerses us in the murky world of espionage, introducing us to Kate, who to the everyday person seems a loving, caring mum of two who works as a civil servant alongside her husband Stuart.

But behind the illusion, Kate is the Head of the Russian Desk at MI6, regularly travelling for work and burying secrets that should never see the light of da

In her undercover role, Henderson gains the knowledge that a senior UK politician may in fact be a Russian asset.

In a race against the clock, she must find out the politician’s identity, protect herself and her family, all whilst remaining covert - despite a shocking murder throwing her MI6 division under the spotlight.

When an op in Malta leads Kate to discover that a senior UK politician may be a secret Russian asset, it becomes a race against the clock – not just against her superiors, but against time itself – to uncover the politician’s identity, all while protecting herself and her family.

But the deeper she goes, the harder it becomes to separate what’s real from what’s lies, because in this world, information is power… and some people will do anything to control it.

Exploring the enduring pressure between the UK and Russia, Secret Service’s timely political take on the espionage genre guarantees to grip the nation.

Secret Service: Cast
• Gemma Arterton (Funny Woman, St Trinian’s)
• Rafe Spall (Under Salt Marsh, Black Mirror)
• Roger Allam (Endeavour)
• Avi Nash (The Walking Dead, Black Mirror)
• Mark Stanley (Game of Thrones, Happy Valley, Trigger Point)
• Alex Kingston (ER, Doctor Who)
• Amaka Okafor (Greatest Day, Bodies)
• Khalid Abdalla (The Crown)
• Aoife Hinds (Normal People)
• Alma Prelec (Vigil)
• Rochenda Sandall (Line of Duty, Amandaland)

Can’t seem to find a recap either

All I can find it this

recap e1

MI6 officer Kate Henderson meets in Malta with Lena, an asset providing intel on Russian SVR chief Igor Borodin, whose family she works for as a nanny. Lena plants a bugged cigar box in the Borodin villa. MI6 eavesdrop on Borodin speaking with operative Kyril Markov, who says they have an asset ready to replace a member of the British Cabinet who is dying of pancreatic cancer. Zak Hussein, Kate’s superior, is cautious of Russia feeding false intel and gives her 48 hours to conclude the operation. During dinner with Home Secretary Imogen Conrad, who Kate’s husband Stuart works for as a SpAd, Prime Minister Anthony Fletcher announces his resignation due to a terminal prognosis. Conrad and Foreign Secretary Ryan Walker become main contenders in an expedited leadership election. Kate discovers Conrad received an undeclared donation of £200k from Russian oligarch Lev Amatov. In a meeting with Hussein, Henderson and C, Fletcher demands concrete evidence before authorising investigations into any MP’s.

started to watch and I’ve already seen it. Luckily I can’t remember it.

Oh. Was it on Netflix or Disney etc

I honestly can’t remember. Maybe was streaming on ITVX before.

Had never seen this. Started it today - really good!

It’s brilliant

many a tingly nose in it

I rewatched and enjoyed a bit more. Think maybe I was tired last night

so let’s hope e2 is ok

I’m going to watch ep2 tomorrow. Watching Trying tonight - needed something easier to watch this evening!

I'm enjoying it. Watching for the beautiful scenery, people, gorgeous front doors and halls.

Not a clue about the plot! I'm rubbish at following spy/ political storylines..feels very Bond.

Does hubby know what she does for a job

I think so, but not sure to what degree. He joked he knew she was lying when she took a call, and she told him she couldn't say what it was about?

It's a bit like True Lies where they're both spies and they don't know 😂

😂😂

DH has decided to rustle and munch his way through a family bag of giant Wotsits 😡
I'm really lost now

I think nanny has been sussed and in danger

Yes she has

My friend is the Costume Designer!

Enjoyed e2 more. Proves I need to be in the right frame of mind and not tired

Recap e2

Kate’s colleague Rav discovers Walker met Amatov, the Russian Foreign Minister and Swissinvestment lawyer Laurent in Lisbonshortly after Fletcher's announcement. The two start working off books to investigate both him and Conrad. C orders Kate to check that Sergei Malinski, her university friend and mole in the SVR, remains onside. He assures her of his loyalty and advises the SVR has flagged Malta. Markov deduces Lena is a mole and informs Borodin. Kate suspects Lena is compromised, but Zak and head of security Rose Trewen refuse to authorise an extraction. Kate plans to extract Lena herself against orders, risking her job. Growing disillusioned with his behaviour, Walker’s SpAd Melissa Morris leaks the Lisbon meeting details to the press, but Walker is able to save face in an impromptu interview with Robert Peston. Knowing her husband works for Conrad, Walker questions Kate’s impartiality, and warns her not to interfere in the democratic process. Markov forces Lena to arrange a meeting with Kate.

That's not True Lies, only Arnie is the spy in that.

Maybe you're thinking of Mr and Mrs Smith with Brad and Ang...

I thought the wife in True Lies became a spy with Arnie at the end of the film where the guy in the van said their code names and instead of them going off to do the mission, they did a tango on the dance floor and the guy in the van said “oh not again”

I don’t know why but I wondered if he was actually some dodgy Russian guy.

Well in the end they're both spies but for most of it Arnie is the spy and Jamie LC isn't and doesn't know he is.

Anyway it's alright with a glass of wine but the Bradby getting his ITV mates to pop up in cameos jars a bit.

Alphabet, the clothes are very nice. Your friend has done well there.