Michael Gove and Nicola Sturgeon to play PM’s in Sky show

Titled The Wargame, the four-part series will air this September and is based on the Sky podcast of the same name.

The format places public figures around the table of a fictional cross-party cabinet to respond to a simulated Russian attack on UK soil, with the drama unfolding through Cobra-style emergency meetings.

Michael Gove, former Conservative MP, will lead the fictional government as prime minister.

New Sky show to star Michael Gove and Nichola Sturgeon

He is joined by former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon as deputy prime minister.

Penny Mordaunt serves as defence secretary, Labour’s Baroness Harriet Harman is home secretary, and former Labour MP Jim Murphy takes the role of foreign secretary.

Phil Edgar-Jones, executive director of 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.

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“At a time when we are facing increasing threats from all sides, this series couldn’t be more timely.”

The cabinet cast also includes Tory Baroness Sayeeda Warsi as attorney general, Labour’s Baroness Ayesha Hazarika as director of communications, retired British Army general Sir Richard Barrons as chief of defence staff, Lord Kim Darroch as national security adviser, and former MI6 officer Christopher Steele as intelligence chief.

The fictional UK team will be opposed by a group of Russia experts led by British writer Keir Giles.