Sky has released the first trailer for The Wargame, a new constructed documentary series putting senior politicians, military figures and intelligence experts inside a simulated crisis involving a Russian attack on UK soil. The four-part series begins on Monday, 21 September on Sky and NOW. Nicola Sturgeon is among the high-profile names taking part alongside Michael Gove.

What Is The Wargame About?

The Wargame places its participants inside a sealed COBR-style crisis room and asks them to respond to a fictional attack on Britain as events unfold. Across the series, the group is presented with rolling news reports, intelligence briefings and new developments, forcing them to make decisions under pressure as the simulated crisis escalates.

The line-up mixes former cabinet ministers, senior political figures, military leaders and intelligence experts. Alongside Nicola Sturgeon and Michael Gove, participants include Harriet Harman, Penny Mordaunt, Sayeeda Warsi, Jim Murphy, Ayesha Hazarika, Richard Barrons, Kim Darroch, Christopher Steele, George Robertson and Anthony Scaramucci.

When Is The Wargame on Sky?

The Wargame launches on Monday, 21 September on Sky and NOW, with one episode airing each night through to Thursday, 24 September. Sky has confirmed that the final episode will then be followed by a live programme filmed in front of a studio audience.

The schedule is:

Monday, 21 September – Episode 1
Tuesday, 22 September – Episode 2
Wednesday, 23 September – Episode 3
Thursday, 24 September – Episode 4, series finale
Thursday, 24 September – The Wargame: Live special

Sky describes the main programme as a four-part series, with the separate live special bringing the overall commission to five hour-long programmes.

What Happens in The Wargame Live Special?

After the simulation reaches its conclusion, Cathy Newman will host The Wargame: Live, with members of the cast returning to discuss the decisions they made and the pressure of responding to the fictional crisis.

The special will also look at some of the wider questions raised by the series, including how senior decision-makers might respond to a fast-moving national emergency and what happens when political, military and intelligence priorities collide.

Is There a Trailer for The Wargame?

Yes. Sky has released the first trailer ahead of the 21 September launch, giving viewers a look inside the crisis room and the simulated emergency faced by the participants.

You can watch the official trailer for The Wargame below.

For CultureCues, this is a really interesting format, especially with such a strong political and military line-up involved. Nicola Sturgeon, Michael Gove, Harriet Harman and George Robertson all sitting around the same crisis table should make for some fascinating viewing, and having the scenario unfold across four nights gives the story plenty of room to build. The live discussion afterwards could be just as interesting as the simulation itself… We’ll be reporting for duty on 21 September.

The Wargame launches on Monday, 21 September on Sky and NOW.

More from CultureCues

When Does The Great British Bake Off 2026 Start? Date, Cast and Nigella Lawson

Small Prophets Returning for Series 2 as Hit Comedy Moves to BBC One

When Does Strictly Come Dancing 2026 Start? New Trailer, Cast and Everything You Need to Know