The Wargame, an award-winning Sky News podcast, is being adapted into a four-part TV documentary and drama series exploring crisis decision-making at the highest level.
Produced by The Garden, part of ITV Studios, the series places real-world senior politicians, military leaders and intelligence chiefs in a simulated COBR-style crisis room, where they must respond to a hypothetical Russian attack on UK soil.
Participants include Michael Gove, Nicola Sturgeon, Penny Mordaunt, Sayeeda Warsi, Harriet Harman, Jim Murphy, Ayesha Hazarika, General Sir Richard Barrons, Kim Darroch, Christopher Steele, Lord George Robertson and Anthony Scaramucci. Keir Giles leads a team of Russia experts to challenge their decisions.
Set six months in the future, the simulation was developed with input from academics, military and defence experts, including Sky News’ Security and Defence Editor Deborah Haynes, to accurately reflect the pressures of political decision-making.
The series uses rolling news bulletins, social media footage, military and intelligence reports, and unexpected interventions to create minute-by-minute dilemmas for the participants.
These scenarios force the simulated Cabinet to make decisions with potentially far-reaching consequences.
Phil Edgar-Jones, Executive Director, Unscripted Originals at Sky, said: “A year ago, Sky News’ groundbreaking original podcast The Wargame captivated listeners, shedding light on the impossible choices our country’s leaders face under escalating military threat.
“Now working with the talented team at The Garden we’re bringing The Wargame to new audiences in a visceral new TV format, which will challenge some of the most experienced political and military minds in the country to imagine how they might respond under threat of war.
“At a time when we are facing increasing threats from all sides, this series couldn’t be more timely.”
Nicola Brown, Executive Producer at The Garden, added: “The news brings a near-constant stream of information about the threats we face as a country, but do we really know what would happen if the UK came under attack, or how prepared we really are?
“In a simulated crisis scenario, where actions can have world changing consequences, The Wargame will put viewers ‘in the room’ to see first-hand how decisions are made at the highest level. We’re thrilled to be working with Sky on this important series.”
Launched in June 2025, The Wargame podcast became a hugely successful news podcast series, reaching Number One on the Apple Podcasts UK All Podcasts Chart, on the Apple News Chart and the Apple Series Chart for four consecutive weeks, as well as Number One on Spotify’s Trending Chart for two weeks.
The Wargame TV series will air on Sky and NOW this September.
