Gemma Arterton’s Secret Service goes global

Potboiler’s Gemma Arterton-starring espionage thriller Secret Service is heading around the world, with Australian streamer Stan and German national broadcaster ARD among buyers.

The series, sold by All3Media International, will become available in a second window in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on ARD Plus, with the five-parter debuting on MagentaTV/Deutsche Telekom.

In Switzerland, the first window will be exclusively available on Blue Play (Blue TV).

Stan and Sky New Zealand are among companies taking rights in the southern hemisphere, while a pan-territory deal covering Asia and India has been agreed with BBC First and its multi-genre SVOD service, BBC Player.

Nordic public broadcasters NRK (Norway), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), RUV (Iceland) and Sweden (SVT) have also picked up the show, alongside Movistar Plus+ in Spain, AntenaPLAY in Romania and Cosmote in Greece.

Secret Service is adapted from the topical novel by ITV News anchor Tom Bradby and produced by Potboiler Productions, with James Marsh (Man on Wire) directing.

The show counts Rafe Spall among the cast and follows a senior MI6 officer as a covert investigation uncovers evidence that a high-ranking UK politician may be working as a Russian asset.

Gail Egan (A Most Wanted Man) exec produces alongside Andrea Calderwood (The Buccaneers), with Bradby and Chloe Sizer.

All3Media International distributes globally and is attached as co-commissioner on Secret Service, which debuts in the UK on ITV1 and ITVX this spring.

Maartje Horchner, exec vice president of content at All3Media International, said the sales reflected the “international appetite for cinematic, high-stakes and star-studded programming…”

She added: “Gemma Arterton and Rafe Spall are on top form in this pacy thriller, that pairs powerhouse performances with edge-of-your-seat storytelling, propelling audiences across London, Malta, Finland and beyond.”