What everyone is saying about The Wargame podcast
Critics are calling The Wargame podcast urgent and unnerving. The Times warns it exposes the UK’s national security fragilities and NATO dependency. The Observer praises the realism and stakes of the dramatized government response, describing it as “low-likelihood but high-impact” — a plausible warning shot. Sky News coverage reinforces this, with Deborah Haynes reflecting that the exercise laid bare how underprepared Britain may be.
On the listener side, the The Wargame podcast from Sky News has struck a nerve. It holds a 4.4-star rating on Apple Podcasts, with reviews calling it “terrifyingly real,” “brilliantly produced,” and “a wake-up call.” Reddit reactions highlight the UK’s apparent vulnerability and the stark difference in scale compared to U.S. crisis response setups. Across the board, the mood is serious, this is not a thriller, it’s a rehearsal for a possible tomorrow.
My thoughts on the Wargame podcast
IN the 70’s the fantastic James Burke hosted a very similar series of specials, where experts and politicians either in post or retired played out various simulations. they were fantastic he was a masterful broadcaster, so I was concerned the Wargame Podcast wouldn’t match my expectation
Scenario: The Oil Game (1976)
A BBC television “crisis game” in which Burke and experts role-played a fictional global oil crisis. It examined how governments and markets might respond under pressure .
Scenario: The Peace Game (1977)
Another BBC crisis simulation focused on NATO decision-making during a geopolitical crisis. It used the same immersive format to explore real-world alliance dynamics .
Deborah Haynes is a brilliant master of ceremonies for this simulation. She brings a cool, honest, and deeply factual style of journalism that anchors the whole experience. While it doesn’t have the theatrical flair of James Burke’s original crisis games, it gave me exactly the same chills.
Everyone involved carries out their role with total authenticity — because these are their real jobs. The team playing the enemy is superb. They’re sharp, well-informed experts who make the threat feel disturbingly plausible.
This is top-tier, gripping content. I can’t bring myself to call it entertainment because it’s genuinely shocking. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Thank you for not disappointing me.
1. Host
- Deborah Haynes – Sky News’ security & defence editor, guiding listeners through the scenario with expert commentary .
2. Genre & Participants
- Genre: High-stakes, simulation-based geopolitical news podcast.
- Participants: A mix of former senior UK ministers, military chiefs and defence experts portraying a fictional British government and Russian Kremlin team .
- Sir Ben Wallace – former Defence Secretary, plays the fictional Prime Minister.
- Jack Straw – former Foreign Secretary under Blair/Brown, returns to role.
- Amber Rudd – former Home Secretary under Theresa May.
- Jim Murphy, James Heappey, Mark Sedwill, General Sir Richard Barrons, Baroness Helena Kennedy, Lt‑Gen Sir David Capewell, and more .
- Keir Giles – Russia expert, leads the Kremlin “red team” .
3. Synopsis
In five immersive episodes The Wargame podcast takes us on a all to real journey, policymakers and military leaders step into a wargame simulating a near-future, multi-domain Russian attack on the UK. Recorded in a bunker-style setup, the British “blue team” reacts in real time to military, cyber, informational, and diplomatic crises devised by the Kremlin team. It’s partly dramatized, partially documentary, offering insight into decision-making under pressure .
4. Channel & Premiere
- Broadcaster: Sky News, in partnership with Tortoise Media .
- Premiere Date: Episodes 1 & 2 dropped on 10 June 2025; episodes 3 & 4 followed 17 June; finale aired 24 June .
5. Key Creatives The Wargame podcast
- Created & Presented by: Deborah Haynes.
- Scenario Designer: Rob Johnson (Changing Character of War Centre, Oxford).
- Production by: Sky News & Tortoise; Executive Producers Sarah Whitehead and David Mapstone .
- Format: Original UK concept; no international adaptation noted. Please Note BBC!!
6. Next Episode of The Wargame podcast
- All five episodes have been released: Parts 1 & 2 on 10 June 2025, parts 3 & 4 on 17 June, and Part 5 on 24 June .
- Available to stream now on major podcast apps and Sky News platforms.
