If you’ve been watching Episode 1 tonight, let’s hope you’re intrigued! The reality of the setup is a very interesting one, and feels relevant as well. Also, it’s getting an amusing confusion, in things people are talking about, especially on social media with people reacting like its a documentary – which definitely adds another layer considering the subject matter. And, for those shouting the loudest, it is a drama. But head here for my initial reaction, and it’s spoiler-free.
The Undeclared War is a new series set in a post-COVID 2024 in the run up to a British general election, the show tracks a GCHQ (like our version of US’s NSA) team of analysts, who are trying to fight off a cyber-attack on our electoral system.
It’s created, written, directed and executive produced by Peter Kosminsky who, during the writing process, took a deep dive into the cybersecurity industry to try and make this as realistic as possible. Interestingly, it’s been said for years, and we’ve seen just a snippet of it in the last 5-10 years with the likes of Cambridge Analytica, that the biggest problem to society? A growing reliance on technology in every aspect of our day-to-day lives…
Starring Hannah Khalique-Brown, Simon Pegg, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Edward Holcroft, Adrian Lester, Alex Jennings, German Segal, Tinatin Dalakishvili, Hattie Morahan, Ed Stoppard, Kerry Godliman and Mark Rylance. Check out this excellent teaser that ran across multiple platforms at the same time:
Kosminsky had this to say:
“The Series is based deep within the least-known arm of the UK’s intelligence infrastructure, GCHQ. The story we’re now able to tell casts an extraordinary, revelatory light on the hot, undeclared war taking place right now in the world’s newest and most invisible domain of conflict — cyber.”
critical popcorn 