ITV viewers torn over new thriller Secret Service as some blast new spy drama: 'Won't take off!'

Olivia Gantzer
Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:37:57 +0000

ITV's spy thriller debuted on screens on Monday night, but unfortunately left viewers split down the middle in their assessments of the show, which is based off newsreader Tom Brady's novel of the same name.

The drama follows senior MI6 officer Kate Henderson (Gemma Arterton). On the surface, her life appears ordinary: a civil servant married to Stuart (Rafe Spall) with two teenage children.

However, behind that facade, Kate heads the Russia Desk at the Secret Intelligence Service.

When her undercover operations reveal alarming evidence that a high-ranking UK politician may be working as a Russian asset, Kate finds herself in a desperate race to identify the traitor.

As a brutal murder thrusts her team into the spotlight, she must navigate the dangerous world of espionage while struggling to hold her family together and protect her reputation.

Despite the high drama promise of the thriller, there were many viewers who labelled the show "boring."

Sharing their view on X, one wrote: "Found #SecretService on @ITV boring which is a shame. It’s no The Night Manager."

Another pointed out: "#SecretService ITV described that as action packed lol." (sic)

"Don't ITV realise their viewers have a short attention span. Don't think this will take off #SecretService," another agreed.

"Bored already. #secretservice," someone else penned, while another admitted: "I bailed after 15 mins."

However, some who had tuned into the first episode found it intriguing.

"Watched the first episode @tombradby #SecretService excellent well done @ITV," one fan shared.

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"Just watched the first one. Very good," another social media user agreed.

One more added: "#secretservice is a good watch." (sic)

Speaking recently to GB News and other media, journalist Mr Bradby detailed insights into bringing his spy thriller to screens. insights into bringing his spy thriller to screens.

Mr Bradby, who serves as both ITV broadcaster and creator of the source material, conceived the story amid growing concerns about Russian interference in Western democracies.

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"I just thought, 'Well, imagine if you were actually what would that really be like? How would your bosses react? How would the politicians react?'" he reflected.

He acknowledged that adapting the novel for television required the story to develop alongside shifting global circumstances.

"Obviously it did have to evolve, because the world was evolving," he said. "But as I said, the slightly scary thing is, it never felt any less relevant."

Originally penned seven years ago, the tale has only grown more pertinent with time, something Mr Bradby views with mixed feelings.

"It just seems to get more and more relevant, which is great for the drama, but possibly not for democratic societies," he noted.