ITV's Secret Service has concluded its thrilling five-episode run, leaving audiences gripped by the espionage drama's twists. Starring Gemma Arterton as MI6 officer Kate Henderson, the series is adapted from Tom Bradby's 2019 novel of the same name. While the core plot remains faithful, Bradby noted changes were necessary to reflect the current political climate.
Finale Recap
In the climactic episode, Kate's investigation into a top British politician working as a Russian asset reaches its peak. She suspected either Ryan Walker (Mark Stanley) or Imogen Conrad (Amaka Okafor), both vying for the Labour Party leadership. Ryan ultimately becomes Prime Minister after a leaked video damages Imogen's reputation.
The video shows Imogen having sex with a man in Montenegro. Kate initially believes the man might be her superior Zak (Khalid Abdalla), but his identity is deepfaked. In a shocking revelation, Kate discovers the man is actually her husband, Stuart (Rafe Spall).
Stuart's Betrayal
Kate realizes that Stuart was recruited by Russian SVR chief Igor Borodin during a trip to Prague. As Home Secretary's special adviser, Stuart provided gossip and later sensitive details about Kate's work in exchange for the video being erased. Kate confronts Stuart in Finland, where he confesses. Rather than see him tried for treason, she allows him to flee to Russia.
In the final scenes, Kate tells Sir Alan (Roger Allam) she hopes to arrange visiting rights for Stuart with their children in a neutral country. She informs Zak of her desire to leave MI6, but he persuades her to stay, noting the need to monitor Ryan Walker. Kate is seconded to the Cabinet Office to watch for hostile influences and greets the new Prime Minister at Downing Street.
Changes from the Novel
Bradby explained to Radio Times that the political landscape shifted between the book and the drama. "We made one of the leading candidates to become prime minister a new kind of left-wing populist: charismatic and heavily to the left on tax, spend and social policy but right-wing on immigration." This adaptation keeps the story relevant to contemporary politics.
Fans can stream Secret Service on ITVX.
