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The Undeclared War

The Undeclared War

The battle line is online

2022–2026Ended2 seasons12 episodes~47 min/epMidcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

In the post-pandemic world of 2024 during an upcoming British general election involving the UK’s first Black Conservative prime minister, a leading team of analysts at the heart of the UK’s NSA-style spy agency GCHQ attempt to ward off a cyber-attack on the country’s electoral system.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Undeclared War?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Undeclared War streaming on Peacock and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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Reception

Is The Undeclared War worth watching?

The Undeclared War's Midcredits score is the 48th percentile of all shows, from 7.6K ratings across 2 sources. 74% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

48th percentile

Better received than 48% of shows

44th percentile among Drama53rd percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)39th
Approval (how many liked it)58th

Acclaim

Mixed: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

68 /100

39th percentile of all shows

37th percentile among Drama44th percentile among 2020s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.1 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

74% liked it

58th percentile of all shows

52nd percentile among Drama63rd percentile among 2020s
74% rated it 7–1026% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

88th percentile

7.5K ratings across platforms

85th percentile among Drama90th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 22 days to Oct 26Up 33% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A slow-burn drama about cyberwar and disinformation, heavy on personal subplots that some find distracting.

Fans praised

  • timely and plausible cyberwar premise
  • creative visual metaphors for code analysis
  • strong supporting performances (Pegg, Rylance)

Detractors panned

  • unbelievable plot holes (intern has unfettered access)
  • wooden lead performance and poor dialogue
  • extraneous personal drama undermines tension

What stands out

OriginalityDivisive65

fresh visual approach to coding but derivative story elements

Plot and storyDivisive63

timely cyber-attack premise but many find it implausible and padded

TensionDivisive55

some gripping moments but often undermined by pacing and subplots

ActingDivisive52

Pegg and Rylance praised; lead Hannah Khalique-Brown widely panned as wooden

DialogueDivisive48

flat and clunky script, especially in personal scenes

PacingDivisive42

too slow and meandering, with unnecessary filler

CharactersDivisive40

underdeveloped and unlikeable, especially the lead

Ending30

abrupt cliffhanger leaves most unsatisfied

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 7 points apart
  • US vs non-US 6 points apart

Episodes

2 seasons

Series 2 · 2026 · 6 episodes · 1.0 average across 3 rated episodes

  • S2E1

    Episode 1

    Jul 21, 202648 minTMDB rating 1.0
  • S2E2

    Episode 2

    Jul 22, 202647 minTMDB rating 1.0
  • S2E3

    Episode 3

    Jul 28, 202648 minTMDB rating 1.0
  • S2E4

    Episode 4

    Jul 29, 202648 min
  • S2E5

    Episode 5

    Aug 4, 202643 min
  • S2E6

    Episode 6

    Aug 5, 202647 minFinale

Watch experience

What is The Undeclared War like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, dark and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you thinking.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
TenseContemplative
Heaviest: late
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Multiple perspectives · 2% of shows: The same events retold from different characters' points of view.SerializedOne continuous story
ToneThe series plays its high-stakes cyber-war premise straight and earnest, with a brooding, solemn atmosphere that never winks at the audience.
The rideThe series maintains a constant undercurrent of tension, with contemplative pauses for character moments, and builds to its heaviest emotional and thriller stakes in the final episodes.
StructureThe story unfolds in a conventional three-act structure across the series, shifting perspectives among GCHQ analysts, Russian operatives, and political figures.
Episode formatThe entire series tells one continuous story across two seasons, with each episode advancing the overarching plot.
Season formatBoth seasons continue the same narrative arc from the first season's cliffhanger to a conclusion.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Thought-provokingUnsettling
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves viewers contemplating the real-world implications of cyber warfare and feeling uneasy about the unresolved threat to democracy.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).QuestMission
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% (this title) · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Mission: Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).

6% of shows fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe series follows GCHQ analysts working to neutralize a cyber-attack on the UK electoral system, structured as a team mission to prevent a threat.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% (this title) · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% (this title) · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Self

IdentityDuty · 2% of showsSurvival · 12% of shows
Warns its theme: Presents its theme as a danger or a coming cost.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe series balances the personal identity struggle of a Muslim intern at a spy agency with the collective duty to protect national democracy from cyber warfare.
StanceThe series warns about the vulnerability of democratic processes to cyber warfare, while centering on the identity journey of its lead analyst.

The world

ContemporaryInstitutionalUrbanRealistic
ElectronicOrchestral modernSupportive music · original score
SettingGCHQ headquarters and political corridors during a cyber crisis

Content guide

Is The Undeclared War okay for kids?

As of October 5, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (43/100), sexual content at moderate (40/100), language at intense (61/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 5 other countries
  • Canada18+
  • FinlandK12
  • ROAP
  • SingaporeM18
  • Spain16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavier than 48% of all shows
Profanity
Intense
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (4 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (41 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does The Undeclared War have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Undeclared War?

Cast

Simon Pegg
as Danny Patrick
Tom McKay
as Max K
Hannah Khalique-Brown
as Saara Parvin
Joss Porter
as Phil Draper
Alex Jennings
as David Neal
German Segal
as Vadim Trusov
Ed Stoppard
as Richard Marston
Adrian Lester
as Andrew Makinde
Maisie Richardson-Sellers
as Kathy Freeman
Sian Brooke
as Barbara Napier

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TMDB's suggestions for shows like The Undeclared War include Zero Day (2025), Homeland (2011) and A Spy Among Friends (2022).

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