The Wargame review – Michael Gove is awful at pretending to be PM in this mind-warping reality show

Published 1w ago · Updated 1w ago

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A bizarre new television experiment casts former senior politicians to roleplay government responses to a Russian nuclear attack.

A new reality television drama-documentary titled The Wargame explores a fictional crisis involving an imminent nuclear strike on Britain by Russia. The show features a cabinet of notable former British politicians acting out emergency scenarios, with Michael Gove cast as prime minister and Nicola Sturgeon as his deputy. Reviewers note that while the premise is terrifying, the stiffness of the participating politicians provides a darkly entertaining spectacle.

The television program combines elements of reality television and drama-documentary to simulate a high-stakes national security crisis.
The fictional cabinet includes Harriet Harman as home secretary, Sayeeda Warsi as attorney general, and Penny Mordaunt as defence secretary.
Critical reception highlights the jarring contrast between a catastrophic nuclear threat and the novelty of retired political figures roleplaying government leadership.

Written from 2 of 3 outlets — 1 has since joined this story.

Timeline

Sep 21Reviews and coverage highlight the premise of the television program featuring former politicians as government leaders.
Sep 22Financial Times characterises the broadcast as a chilling drama-documentary focusing on Michael Gove playing prime minister.

Why it matters

Political simulation television shows offer unique insights into governance and public perceptions of leadership by placing former officials into high-pressure hypothetical crises.