The Wargame - a gripping new podcast series that simulates a Russian attack on the UK

Russia knows our weaknesses, but do you?

Today, Sky News and Tortoise Media announce The Wargame, a gripping five-part original documentary podcast series that simulates a Russian attack on the UK, with former ministers and military and security chiefs playing the part of the British government. The scenario is designed to test Britain’s defences and national resilience as well as the reliability of the country’s key allies like the United States.

Launching on 10 June, this ambitious and innovative podcast gives listeners the chance to experience the kind of wargame that is genuinely tested inside government. The only difference with this version is that nothing discussed is classified.

Written and presented by Sky News Security and Defence Editor Deborah Haynes, The Wargame pitches the British side against an imagined Kremlin in a high-stakes contest that draws on the real-life knowledge and experience of a stellar cast. The series’ fictional government is headed by Sir Ben Wallace, who in real life was the longest-serving Conservative defence secretary and before that security minister. The role of foreign secretary is played by Jack Straw, the UK’s top diplomat in Tony Blair’s government. Amber Rudd resumes her former role as home secretary, while Jim Murphy, who was Secretary of State for Scotland when Gordon Brown was in power, plays the Chancellor.

The defence secretary is James Heappey, a former armed forces minister, and the attorney general is Baroness Helena Kennedy, a leading barrister and expert on human rights law. Lord Mark Sedwill is the national security adviser, a role he held for real under both Theresa May and Boris Johnson, while General Sir Richard Barrons, a leader of Sir Keir Starmer’s upcoming Strategic Defence Review, is the chief of the defence staff. Lieutenant General Sir David Capewell resumes his former role as chief of joint operations, the UK’s warfighting commander.

Above: The cast of the show. Photo: Tim Anderson

The series begins a few months in the future, with the prime minister and his top team assembling for a Cobra emergency meeting at a time of growing tensions with Russia. The British side has little idea about what is about to unfold, but they are about to find out.

The scenario was devised and overseen by Dr Rob Johnson, director of the Changing Character of War Centre at Oxford University and a former director of net assessment and challenge at the Ministry of Defence. He describes the events in his game as very low likelihood but high impact. That means a low chance of it happening but catastrophic consequences if it did.

The Wargame is an exclusive collaboration between acclaimed podcast producers Sky News (Patient 11, Unreliable Witness) and Tortoise Media (Sweet Bobby, Hoaxed), now the new owners of The Observer. Executive producers for Sky News are Sarah Whitehead and David Mapstone and the commissioning editor for Sky News is Paul Stanworth. The series producer is James Shield, and the editor is Jasper Corbett.

The first two episodes will premiere at 00:01 on 10th June across all Sky News platforms. Episodes three and four will follow on Tuesday 17th June, with the final episode airing Tuesday 24th June.

The release comes as the UK government prepares to publish its Strategic Defence Review and as Britain and its allies prepare to meet for a major NATO summit next month.

Deborah Haynes, Sky News’ Security and Defence Editor, said: “Pretty much everyone I speak to inside the military says the UK has allowed its defences to shrink too far and has lost the kind of national resilience it once had during the Cold War. But because we live in a country that generally feels pretty safe, it’s perhaps hard to understand why or even whether that matters.

It made me wonder, what if we simulate an emergency and find out how the UK might respond? Whatever the outcome, it would at least bring to life the reality of the threat.” Jonathan Levy, Managing Director and Executive Editor of Sky News UK, said: “The Wargame is a bold and innovative podcast that pushes storytelling boundaries to give audiences the full story, first. By blending real-world expertise with hypothetical crises, this premium series set in a simulated national emergency, offers a rare glimpse into Cabinet decision-making and highlights the risks of a weakened defence posture. The Wargame is essential listening for everyone, as the UK’s defence future faces increased scrutiny and growing threats.” Jasper Corbett, Head of Audio at Tortoise and the Observer said: “We were excited to work with Deborah Haynes and the team at Sky News to bring The Wargame to life. It’s just the kind of ambitious narrative series we at Tortoise love to make. We brought together a phenomenal cast of military experts and former ministers to play the wargame. The question of how well the UK could defend itself in the face of an attack has risen up the political agenda, so there’s never been a more appropriate moment for a series like this.”