THE Wargame begins tonight, with politicians from across the political spectrum – including Nicola Sturgeon – taking part in a simulation of a Russian attack on UK soil.
The four-part series, produced by The Garden as part of ITV Studios, is based on the Sky podcast of the same name and will take viewers into fictional Cobr-style meetings, following a fictional Russian attack on UK soil.
Leading academics, military and defence experts have crafted the simulation to emulate the intense pressure of decision-making at the highest level.
Who is taking part in Sky's The Wargame?
The Wargame will star former Scottish first minister Sturgeon as deputy prime minister, former Conservative MP Michael Gove as prime minister, former Conservative MP Dame Penny Mordaunt as defence secretary, Labour’s Baroness Harriet Harman as home secretary, and former Labour MP Jim Murphy as foreign secretary.
The cabinet will be completed by Tory Baroness Sayeeda Warsi as attorney general, director of communications Labour Baroness Ayesha Hazarika, retired British Army general Sir Richard Barrons as chief of defence staff, national security adviser, former diplomat Lord Kim Darroch, and former MI6 intelligence officer Christopher Steele as intelligence chief.
They will be opposed by a team of Russia experts, led by British writer Keir Giles.
There will also be international roles with Anthony Scaramucci playing the US secretary of state and Lord George Robertson as Nato secretary general.
How to watch The Wargame tonight
The Wargame will air on Sky One and Now on Monday, September 21 at 9pm.
There will be four episodes.
Phil Edgar-Jones, executive director of unscripted originals at Sky, said: “A year ago, Sky News’ groundbreaking 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.”
