Sky News award-winning podcast The Wargame to become landmark TV show

Sky News' award-winning podcast The Wargame is to be turned into a landmark four-part television series.

Set six months in the future, it will feature a string of real-life political heavyweights, intelligence chiefs and military figures playing out how Britain could respond to a Russian attack on UK soil.

Among those taking part is Lord Gove, who will portray the prime minister, alongside Nicola Sturgeon as his deputy and Dame Penny Mordaunt as defence secretary.

Programme-makers say the adaptation of the popular podcast will blend constructed documentary with drama, taking viewers beyond the news cycle and behind the closed doors of a sealed, COBR-style crisis room.

The series, due to be broadcast on Sky and NOW this September, will show how rolling news bulletins, military and intelligence reports, and unexpected interventions combine to throw up minute-by-minute dilemmas, forcing Lord Gove's "Cabinet" to grapple with decisions that could affect us all.

Other leading politicians taking part include Baroness Harman, Baroness Warsi and Jim Murphy, while General Sir Richard Barrons takes up the role as the chief of defence staff.

Lord Darroch will portray the UK's national security adviser, with former intelligence officer Christopher Steele as the UK's intelligence chief. Meanwhile, former Trump White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci will play the US secretary of state.

Facing off against them will be a team of Russia experts led by author Keir Giles.

The simulation has been developed in conjunction with leading academics, military and defence experts, including Sky News' security and defence editor Deborah Haynes.

The series will be produced by The Garden, part of ITV Studios, which has been behind programmes such as Attack on London: Hunt for the 7/7 Bombers and 24 Hours in Police Custody.

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Phil Edgar-Jones, executive director of Unscripted Originals at Sky said: "A year ago, Sky News' ground-breaking 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."

Nicola Brown, executive producer, The Garden, added: "The news brings a near-constant stream of information about the threats we face as a country, but do we really know what would happen if the UK came under attack, or how prepared we really are?

"In a simulated crisis scenario, where actions can have world-changing consequences, The Wargame will put viewers 'in the room' to see first-hand how decisions are made at the highest level. We're thrilled to be working with Sky on this important series."

(c) Sky News 2026: Sky News award-winning podcast The Wargame to become landmark TV show