Isabella Thornton
Here’s everything you need to know about the Sky Original series The Wargame (2026), including its premiere date, where to watch, streaming availability, complete episode guide, and full cast lineup. You’ll also find a simple step-by-step guide explaining how to watch The Wargame online from outside the UK, along with key details about Sky and NOW. If you have any questions about the series or its streaming availability, leave a comment below and I’ll help you find the information you need.
How can I watch The Wargame (2026) outside the UK on NOW?
To watch The Wargame on Sky via NOW outside the UK, you can use a reliable VPN and connect to a UK server. A VPN changes your virtual location and can help you access your usual UK streaming services while travelling, although availability remains subject to NOW regional restrictions and terms of service.
- Subscribe to NordVPN
- Install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a UK-based server.
- Open the NOW website or launch its app, then log in.
- You are all set to watch The Wargame restriction-free!
The Wargame Synopsis
The Wargame takes place in a fictional near future and asks how the UK government could react if Britain came under Russian attack. Real former politicians, military leaders and intelligence specialists assume senior government roles inside a simulated crisis room. The scenario unfolds as if the emergency were happening in real time. Participants receive intelligence reports, news updates, social media footage and unexpected developments that force them to make increasingly difficult choices. Every decision can create consequences for the next stage of the simulation. The programme combines documentary realism and drama rather than presenting the scenario as an actual event. Its central focus is the pressure involved in high-level decision-making during a fictional national security crisis.
When does The Wargame premiere?
The Wargame premieres on Monday, September 21, 2026, exclusively on Sky and NOW in the UK.
Cast
- Michael Gove – Prime Minister
- Nicola Sturgeon – Deputy Prime Minister
- Penny Mordaunt – Defence Secretary
- Harriet Harman – Home Secretary
- Jim Murphy – Foreign Secretary
- Sayeeda Warsi – Attorney General
- Ayesha Hazarika – Director of Communications
- General Sir Richard Barrons – Chief of Defence Staff
- Kim Darroch – National Security Adviser
- Christopher Steele – Intelligence Chief
- George Robertson – NATO Secretary General
- Anthony Scaramucci – US Secretary of State
- Keir Giles – Russian Expert
How many episodes does The Wargame have?
The Wargame has four main episodes plus the special programme The Wargame: Live.
- Episode 1 – September 21: The simulation begins as participants confront the first reactions to the Russian threat.
- Episode 2 – September 22: The crisis escalates and the decision-makers face their first major choices.
- Episode 3 – September 23: Pressure inside the sealed COBR room reaches boiling point.
- Episode 4 – September 24: The main simulation reaches its conclusion as the participants confront their final high-stakes decisions.
- The Wargame: Live – September 28: A studio discussion examines the decisions made during the simulation and considers their wider real-world implications.
Where to Watch The Wargame in the UK
You can watch The Wargame on Sky and NOW in the United Kingdom, with the four-part event series premiering on September 21, 2026. New episodes air nightly through September 24, bringing the high-stakes simulation to its conclusion. The main series is also followed by a special live programme, The Wargame: Live, featuring further discussion of the decisions and issues raised throughout the simulation.
Is there a official way to watch The Wargame online for free?
Yes, you may be able to watch The Wargame on NOW in the UK if you have access to an eligible promotional offer or free trial. However, NOW does not consistently offer a standard 7-day free trial to every new customer, so you should check the current offers available when signing up. If no trial is available, you will need the appropriate NOW membership to stream The Wargame.
What is The Wargame: Live?
The Wargame: Live is a special programme following the conclusion of the main simulation. Hosted by Cathy Newman in front of a studio audience, it brings participants together to discuss the decisions they made and the wider issues raised by the scenario.
NOW Supported Devices
| Device Category | Supported Devices |
|---|---|
| Smart TVs | Samsung, LG, Hisense, Android TV, Google TV |
| Streaming Devices | Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Nvidia Shield |
| Game Consoles | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| Mobile Devices | Android phones/tablets, iPhone, iPad, Amazon Fire tablets |
| Computers | Windows PC, Mac |
| TV Boxes | Selected EE TV, BT, TalkTalk TV, YouView boxes |
| NOW Devices | NOW Smart Stick, supported NOW Boxes |
The Wargame Trailer
FAQs
- Is The Wargame based on a true story?
No. The Wargame presents a fictional simulated national emergency, rather than documenting an actual Russian attack on Britain. - Is The Wargame based on a podcast?
Yes. The TV series is based on the award-winning Sky News podcast The Wargame. The original podcast also explores an imagined Russian attack on the UK and the difficult political, military and security decisions that could follow. - What is The Wargame: Live?
The Wargame: Live is a special programme following the conclusion of the main simulation. Hosted by Cathy Newman in front of a studio audience, it brings participants together to discuss the decisions they made and the wider issues raised by the scenario. - What genre is The Wargame?
The Wargame combines constructed documentary with political drama and thriller elements.
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