All3Media International has announced a number of international pre-sales for the new spy thriller The Secret Service starring Gemma Arterton.
Produced by Potboiler Productions and based on the novel by ITV news anchor Tom Bradby, The Secret Service depicts the world of espionage against the backdrop of rising tensions between Britain and Russia. The series follows senior MI6 officer Kate Henderson (Arterton) as an undercover investigation uncovers evidence that senior British politicians may be working as Russian agents.
With his trust shattered and his career on the line, Henderson must navigate the shifting sands of political allegiances, international threats, and personal sacrifice.
In Europe, ARD Plus has acquired access to the German, Austrian and Swiss “Secret Services” and is working closely with local SVOD platforms to execute its release strategy. In Germany, the five-part series will launch exclusively as a first window release on Deutsche Telekom’s MagentaTV streaming service before airing on ARD Plus. In Switzerland, the first window will be available exclusively on Swisscom’s Blue Play.
The series will premiere in Spain on Movistar Plus+, Spain’s largest pay TV and SVOD service, in Greece on Cosmote and in Romania on AntenaPlay.
All3Media has also acquired a license for ‘Secret Service’ across Scandinavia, which will be available on public broadcasters NRK in Norway, DR in Denmark, YLE in Finland, RUV in Iceland and SVT in Sweden.
Stan won the series for Australia. In New Zealand, “The Secret Service” has been licensed to Sky New Zealand, which will air the show on its free-to-air channel Three and ad-supported streaming service ThreeNow.
In a pan-regional deal covering India and the rest of Asia, the series has been featured on the BBC’s premium SVOD drama channel BBC First and multi-genre SVOD service BBC Player.
Directed by Oscar winner James Marsh (Man on Wire, The Theory of Everything), The Secret Service also stars Rafe Spall, Alex Kingston, Mark Stanley, Roger Allam, Amaka Okafor, Aoife Hines, Avi Nash, Alma Prelek and Khalid Abdallah.
The series is produced by Potboiler Productions and executive produced by Gail Egan (Funny Woman, Most Wanted Man) and Andrea Calderwood (Die My Love, The Buccaneers), as well as Tom Bradby and Chloe Sizer.
ITV Director of Drama Polly Hill commissioned the series, with Drama Commissioner Hugh Kennea-Jones overseeing production on behalf of the broadcaster. All3Media International serves as co-commissioner and is responsible for international distribution of the series.
“The international demand for a cinematic, high-stakes, star-studded show is evident through this strong pre-sale, and it was a rare privilege to partner with Potboiler and ITV to bring this A-list-driven global spy thriller to markets around the world,” said All3Media Executive VP of Content Mace Hochner.
“Gemma Arterton and Rafe Spall are in top form in this fast-paced thriller, which combines strong performances and immersive storytelling to captivate audiences across London, Malta, Finland and beyond.”
“The Secret Service” will air on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK this spring.
