Secret Service review: Gemma Arterton’s spy thriller lacks ammunition

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

When people enjoy spy movies, they often have different preferences. Some like the over-the-top action of James Bond, while others prefer the more subtle and realistic world of characters like George Smiley. It’s unusual to find a film that successfully blends these two very different styles.

The new ITV drama, Secret Service, features MI6 agent Kate Henderson (played by Gemma Arterton) facing danger abroad while simultaneously trying to expose a Russian spy working within the British government. It’s a compelling setup that puts her in a precarious position, dealing with both international threats and political maneuvering.

As a total cinema lover, I really enjoyed how this series blended realistic suspense with moments of exciting action and a touch of style. Honestly though, while it starts strong, the story felt a little stretched out over five episodes – it could have benefitted from being a bit more concise.

Newsreader Tom Bradby, following in the footsteps of other public figures, has written a thriller as a way to earn extra money. The story has a compelling premise: Kate investigates whether a candidate vying to become the next party leader is secretly connected to the Russian government. The question is, can she reveal this mole before the current, unwell prime minister leaves office?

The show isn’t just about complex deception. It also spends a significant amount of time showing Kate’s life as a mother of two, a life that includes owning a gun. Arterton portrays this conflicting side of Kate well, though the script doesn’t always fully delve into the challenges of balancing these two worlds.

Rafe Spall plays Stuart, Kate’s husband, a government advisor who’s driven but also a bit disillusioned. Khalid Abdalla appears as Zak, her secretive boss, and Mark Stanley is Ryan, a direct and ambitious foreign secretary – both men are at the heart of the action in the world of intelligence and politics.

The biggest weakness in the casting is using ITV’s news presenters themselves. When real-life figures like Robert Peston, Susanna Reid, and Ed Balls appear as themselves, questioning the fictional politicians, it overshadows the work of the professional actors, like Alex Kingston and Roger Allam. While Allam is good in his role as a typically stoic intelligence officer, he doesn’t seem particularly challenged.

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The movie’s initial energy fades as it progresses, making the obvious product placement feel even more jarring. While it starts strong with stylish scenes filmed in Malta, it eventually becomes a fairly standard thriller, reaching a conclusion that feels forced rather than exciting.

Ultimately, the film doesn’t quite deliver on its promise of blending action and espionage. Instead of successfully combining the over-the-top action of James Bond with the understated intelligence of characters like George Smiley, Secret Service feels somewhat bland and unremarkable, living up to its rather plain title.

Secret Service starts Monday 27 April at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

Don’t miss ‘Secret Service’! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

I’ve been following TV for ages, and I’m currently a writer at TopMob, where I cover shows on pretty much every platform – streaming services and regular TV. Before this, I was in PR, first working with businesses, then with Fremantle, a big international production company. My background is actually in English and Theatre Studies – I have a BA in that – but I also got a journalism diploma to sharpen my writing skills.

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2026-04-27 08:39