ITV’s high-stakes spy drama Secret Service premiered on Monday, and viewers have wasted no time getting stuck into the new five-part series.

Adapted by ITV News anchor Tom Bradby and writer Jemma Kennedy from Bradby’s 2019 novel, the series follows MI6 agent Kate Henderson (Gemma Arterton), who discovers that a senior British politician might be a Russian asset.

If you’re a fan of fast-paced political thrillers like The Diplomat or Bodyguard, it’s worth tuning into Secret Service. But first, find out what viewers have said about the show…

woman wearing pink cap and pony tail© ITV
Gemma Arterton stars as Kate Henderson in Secret Service

What have viewers said about Secret Service?

Taking to social media, viewers hailed the series as “absolutely brilliant,” with some binge-watching all five episodes on ITVX.

One person wrote: “#SecretService had me hooked straight away! Great work @tombradby and the rest of the team,” while another added: “Just watched all episodes, absolutely brilliant.”

A third viewer penned: “Watched the first episode @tombradby #SecretService. Excellent, well done @ITV.”

What have TV critics said about the show?

The series received mostly positive reviews from critics, with The Guardian awarding three stars and describing the show as “confidently paced and slickly directed,” while noting that “another glossy espionage drama along next week”. Meanwhile, The Telegraph also handed out three stars, calling the series a “plodding political whodunnit enlivened by Gemma Arterton”.

The Times and Radio Times also gave three stars.

What is Secret Service about?

The story centres around Kate Henderson, an MI6 officer and “agent runner” heading up the Russia desk, whose covert operation reveals that the Russians could have an asset in the UK government’s cabinet.

man and woman looking at computer in room© ITV
MI6 agent Kate Henderson discovers that a senior British politician could be a potential Russian asset

To make things more complicated, mum-of-two Kate is married to special adviser for the Home Secretary, Stuart (Rafe Spall).

The synopsis teases: “As trust fractures within the corridors of power, Kate is drawn into an increasingly dangerous web of deceit, where shifting loyalties and personal stakes collide and exposing the truth could cost her everything.”

Why Secret Service stands out as a spy thriller

Speaking at a Q&A ahead of the show’s launch, Gemma revealed what made Secret Service stand-out from other spy thrillers she’s appeared in.

“It felt authentic. I think that’s what stood out to me,” said the Quantum of Solace actress. “It felt like an authentic spy world. These people really do exist in our society and have normal lives and have to lead these double lives.”

woman carrying beach bag and talking on phone in sunny location© ITV
All episodes of Secret Service are available to stream on ITVX

Discussing the importance of making Kate “relatable” to the audience, she continued: “I liked seeing the day-to-day office job. Obviously there are these high-octane moments, but these are people who live in our world and that’s what I thought was really important for me to bring out in the character of Kate.

“Sometimes in the spy genre, these characters can be quite otherworldly or super glam, and I wanted her to feel very real,” explained Gemma. “She’s a mum as well as being a spy handler for MI6 and a very accomplished person and she has this double life.”

Secret Service is available to stream on ITVX.