Nicola Sturgeon to play herself as Deputy Prime Minister of UK in TV drama 'simulation' of Russian attack

Sturgeon is to star alongside politicians including Lord Michael Gove as the Prime Minister - as well as Dame Penny Mordaunt as defence secretary, Baroness Harriet Harman as home secretary and former Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy as foreign secretary - in The Wargame, a simulation of a “sealed COBR-style crisis room” dealing with a fictional Russian attack on UK soil.

Lord George Robertson, former Secretary of State for Scotland and one-time Hamilton MP, will reprise his real life role as Nato Secretary General in the show, while former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci will play himself in the part of US Secretary of State.

Opposing the cabinet will be a team of Russia experts, led by Keir Giles.

Set six months in the future, the simulation has been developed in conjunction with leading academics, military and defence experts to replicate the pressure of political decision-making at the highest level.

Rolling news bulletins, social media footage, military and intelligence reports and unexpected interventions throw up a series of minute-by-minute dilemmas, forcing the “Cabinet” to grapple with tough decisions.

The four-part show is based on podcast The Wargame by Sky News.

Phil Edgar-Jones, executive director of Unscripted Originals at Sky said: “A year ago, Sky News' ground-breaking original podcast The Wargame captivated listeners, shedding light on the impossible choices our country's leaders face under escalating military threat.

"Now working with the talented team at The Garden, we're bringing The Wargame to new audiences in a visceral new TV format, which will challenge some of the most experienced political and military minds in the country to imagine how they might respond under threat of war.”

He added: "At a time when we are facing increasing threats from all sides, this series couldn't be more timely."