The Undeclared War start date and cast of new Channel 4 drama

The Undeclared War is the brand new drama coming to Channel 4 – here’s all you need to know.

The series is described as a “timely and provocative six part cyber thriller” which is directed and co-written by seven-time BAFTA-winner Peter Kosminsky (Wolf Hall, The Government Inspector).

A teaser shares: “Set in 2024, The Undeclared War tracks a leading team of analysts buried in the heart of GCHQ, secretly working to ward off a series of cyber-attacks on the UK in the run up to a general election.

“When a routine stress test of internet infrastructure goes awry 21-year-old GCHQ intern Saara Parvinsuddenly finds herself operating on the invisible frontier of high-stakes cyber warfare. The series is a result of meticulous research by BAFTA award-winning creator Peter Kosminsky, lifting the veil on the most urgent battle of our time.

“In a thrilling cat and mouse game, Saara and the team at GCHQ must try to stay one step ahead and anticipate their opponents every hidden move. The clock is ticking as a battle with high stakes and unpredictable enemies takes place entirely online, with very real consequences.

“But how do you win a war most of the public don’t know you’re fighting?”

The Undeclared War will start on Channel 4 and All 4 on Thursday, 30 June at 9PM.

Newcomer Hannah Khalique-Brown will play Saara Parvan, a young student doing work experience in the GCHQ Malware Department, with Simon Pegg (Star Trek, Mission Impossible) playing Danny Patrick, GCHQ’s Head of Operations.

Mark Rylance (Wolf Hall, Bridge of Spies) plays John Yeabsley, a Cold War veteran brought back from retirement by GCHQ to combat the heightened threat level, and Adrian Lester (Riviera, Mary Queen of Scots) will play Andrew Makinde, the UK’s first Black Conservative Prime Minister.

Maisie Richardson-Sellers (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) will play Kathy Freeman, an American cyber-analyst on attachment at GCHQ from the NSA. Alex Jennings (A Very English Scandal, The Crown) will play David Neal, the Head of GCHQ,

Also on the cast are Simon Pegg, Adrian Lester, Alex Jennings and Kerry Godliman.

Peter Kosminsky said: “The Undeclared War has been many years in the making. It imagines how the next few years might play out in the domain of cyber warfare – a battle unseen by the public but with potentially devastating consequences.

“In my work, I’ve tried to shine a light on aspects of public policy which affect us all but where the details of what is taking place, often behind the scenes, are not well understood.

“I hope this drama will give audiences an insight into a world certain to impact our lives significantly in the years ahead.”

The Undeclared War airs on Channel 4 from 30 June.