Production underway in Malta on ITV's 'Secret Service' starring Gemma Arterton

ITV's Secret Service, adapted from novel by ITV News anchor Tom Bradby and produced by Potboiler Productions, has begun filming in Malta.

The five part series stars Gemma Arterton, Rafe Spall, Alex Kingston, Roger Allam, Amaka Okafor, and Khalid Abdalla and is written by Bradby and Jemma Kennedy and directed by James Marsh.

Filming will also take place in London.

The drama follows senior MI6 officer Kate Henderson (played by Arterton), living a supposed normal life married to civil servant Stuart (Rafe Spall) with two teenage children but her true role is heading the Russia Desk at the Secret Intelligence Service. 

The ensemble cast also includes Avi Nash, Aoife Hinds, Rochenda Sandall, Alma Prelec, Galaxie Clear, Harley Barton, Michael Tcherepashenets, Petar Zekavica, Miglen Mirtchev, Juris Žagars and Lana Vlady.

Produced by Potboiler Productions, the series is executive produced by Gail Egan (Funny Woman, A Most Wanted Man, The Little Stranger) and Andrea Calderwood (The Buccaneers, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind). 

James Marsh will direct the first three episodes, with Farren Blackburn (Gangs of London, The Winter King, A Discovery of Witches) joining to direct episodes four and five. The production is overseen by drama commissioners, Helen Ziegler and Huw Kennair Jones on behalf of ITV. All3Media International are co-commissioners and will be responsible for the international distribution.