The Undeclared War, a new four-part cyber thriller from BAFTA-winning writer Peter Kosminsky, premieres on Channel 4 on Thursday, June 30 at 9pm. The series, set in 2024, follows a team of analysts at GCHQ working to prevent a series of cyber-attacks on the UK ahead of a general election. Kosminsky, known for adapting Wolf Hall, describes cyber terrorism as "the most urgent battle of our time."
The show features an all-star cast led by newcomer Hannah Khalique-Brown as Saara Parvan, a student on work experience at GCHQ's Malware Department. Simon Pegg plays Daniel Patrick, Head of Operations at GCHQ, while Adrian Lester portrays the UK's first black Conservative prime minister, Andrew Makinde. Maisie Richardson-Sellers stars as American cyber-analyst Kathy Freeman, and Oscar-winner Mark Rylance plays retired Cold War veteran John Yeabsley.
The plot kicks off when a routine stress test of internet infrastructure goes wrong, thrusting 21-year-old intern Saara into high-stakes cyber warfare. The team must stay one step ahead of an unknown enemy nation attacking the UK online, with real-world consequences. The series was filmed partly in Wales and has been "years in the making," according to Kosminsky.
The Undeclared War airs weekly on Channel 4 on Thursdays, but the entire series is available to binge now on All4. Kosminsky hopes the drama will give audiences insight into a world that will significantly impact our lives in the years ahead.
