NEW DRAMA The Undeclared War Thursday, 9pm, C4
From Spaced to Star Trek, Simon Pegg has established himself as the go-to man to play characters with geekish tendencies - but his role as a cybersecurity expert in C4's The Undeclared War is taking the actor into uncharted territory.
Co-written and directed by Wolf Hall's Peter Kosminsky, the six-part thriller is set in 2024 and follows a team of GCHQ analysts working to neutralise a series of cyberattacks against the UK in the run-up to a general election.
Pegg plays head of operations Danny Patrick, who is all too aware of the heavy burden he shoulders in protecting the nation, while the cast also includes Adrian Lester.
Here, Pegg, 52, reveals why he's excited to be playing the grownup in the room this time...
What was it about this project that appealed to you?
I was extremely flattered to be sent the script, because it's not the kind of role that people normally assume that I would be interested in. I'm pretty bad at reading scripts, but I picked up episode one and I didn't stop until I finished episode six I was so gripped by the story.
What drew you to the role of Danny?
This story is from the June 25, 2022 edition of TV & Satellite Week.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 25, 2022 edition of TV & Satellite Week.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Cruel intentions
Nazi guard Stefan Baretzki exerts his power over Lali and Gita...
Night of SHAME
How ticketless thugs caused carnage at the Euro 2020 final
Lessons in love
Romance is on the curriculum at Abbott Elementary
Remade in Wales
Keith Brymer Jones and his other half Marj Hogarth turn a crumbling Victorian chapel into their new home
Digital detectives
True-crime podcasters delve into a mysterious cold case tal detectives
ALTERNATE REALITY
Joel Edgerton stars as multiple versions of the same man in a mind-bending sci-fi series
Time after time
Pop star Cyndi Lauper reveals her true colours...
CELL mates
How will Jock and Conor cope with a stint in prison?
Elephant whisperer
Sue Perkins gets up close with the gentle giants in Thailand
SECRETS and spies
A Romanian double agent tries to defect to the USA in a Cold War thriller