Key facts
- Sky News is releasing a new documentary series titled 'The Wargame' starting September 21.
- The series simulates a Russian attack on UK soil.
- Real political figures, military leaders, and intelligence experts will participate in the simulation.
- The simulation is designed to be as accurate as possible, developed with academics and defense experts.
- The series is based on the Sky News original podcast, 'The Wargame'.
Sky News is launching a new four-part documentary series, 'The Wargame,' which simulates a realistic scenario of a Russian attack on UK soil. The series, set to air nightly from September 21, features real political figures, military leaders, and intelligence experts participating in a COBR-style crisis room.
The simulation, created in conjunction with leading academics, military, and defense experts including Sky News’ Security and Defence Editor Deborah Haynes, aims to be as accurate as possible. Participants will react to news updates, social media footage, and intelligence reports as if navigating a real-time national emergency, with every decision carrying potential long-term consequences.
The series is based on the award-winning Sky News podcast of the same name and is produced by The Garden. Phil Edgar-Jones OBE, Executive Director of Unscripted Originals at Sky, stated that the TV format brings the podcast's exploration of impossible choices leaders face under escalating military threat to new audiences.
The cast includes The Rt Hon. the Lord Gove PC as Prime Minister, The Rt Hon. Nicola Sturgeon PC as Deputy Prime Minister, The Rt Hon. Dame Penny Mordaunt DBE PC as Defence Secretary, The Rt Hon. the Baroness Harman KC PC as Home Secretary, The Rt Hon. Jim Murphy PC as Foreign Secretary, The Rt Hon. the Baroness Warsi PC as Attorney General, The Baroness Hazarika MBE as Director of Communications, General Sir Richard Barrons KCB CBE as Chief of Defence Staff, The Rt Hon. the Lord Kim Darroch KCMG as National Security Adviser, and Christopher Steele as Intelligence Chief.
Following the four hour-long episodes, a special live program, 'The Wargame: Live,' will be filmed in front of a studio audience and hosted by Cathy Newman, featuring cast members discussing the pressures of high-level decision-making.