Sky News' podcast The Wargame has been adapted for television, offering a stark simulation of how the UK would handle a sudden national emergency. The series, which premieres on Sky One at 9pm on March 22 and will stream on NOW, depicts a fictional scenario where the UK finds itself at war with Russia, and the portrayal is far from reassuring.
The show begins with an emergency COBR meeting where the cabinet watches CCTV footage of two fighter jet pilots killed by a mystery assassin. With little information about the threat, the government must decide whether to respond on instinct or wait for facts. The danger, as they see it, is that they may not have time for facts if Russia is launching a determined attack on British soil.
A Cabinet Led by Michael Gove and Nicola Sturgeon
In the simulation, the Prime Minister is Michael Gove, a figure who never reached number 10 in real life. Penny Mordaunt returns as Secretary for Defence, a post she held for only 85 days under Boris Johnson, and former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon serves as Deputy Prime Minister. The inclusion of Sturgeon, despite her controversial personal life, was described by columnist Adam Miller as 'the first source of comfort' in the lineup.
Miller attended a press conference at a secret London location where journalists were briefed on the scenario. He noted that every detail felt authentic, making it easy to be swept up in the story. Sturgeon faced the press without knowing the questions in advance, yet she delivered 'impressive, well-constructed and heartfelt answers without a second's hesitation.'
Britain's Vulnerability Exposed
The series highlights Britain's precarious position on the global stage. The European Union has no obligation to defend the UK, the 'special relationship' with the United States is portrayed as non-existent, and Anthony Scaramucci, a former advisor to Donald Trump, bluntly tells the UK: 'You have to accept your middle power status, whether you like it or not.'
The simulation shows defence budgets so drastically slashed that the cabinet must choose which two areas of the country to protect, as resources are insufficient to defend the majority. The government also faces unexpected challenges, including Russian disinformation on social media and deep-fake videos that make the UK appear untrustworthy to international allies.
A Call for National Conversation
Baroness Ayesha Hazarika, who plays Gove's Director of Communications in the show, stressed the need for broader discussion: 'We have got to start having a national conversation about this, not just in the corridors of Westminster or in our newsrooms, but this is a conversation that has to go out into the communities, into workplaces, into schools, colleges, family around the dinner table.'
The show also captures public reaction through social media clips, with one woman on TikTok saying, 'There's not supposed to be a World War 3, especially in my lifetime.' This sentiment, Miller argues, reflects a blissful ignorance that the UK is somehow immune to the missile strikes seen in other countries.
Miller concludes that the prospect of World War 3 feels more real than ever, and the UK is woefully unprepared. He admits the show has made him consider practical questions about personal preparedness, such as where he would want to be, who he would want to be with, and what supplies he would need, noting that his cupboards aren't big enough to stockpile a month's worth of tinned goods.
