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Nicola Sturgeon warns against 'alpha-male mentality' as she plays deputy PM in Sky's Russian invasion drama 'The Wargame'

From the Newshound archive · first published 22 September 2026.

Nicola Sturgeon and Michael Gove in the Sky docudrama, in which critics have dismissed the cast as unconvincing wartime leaders in the Russian invasion scenario.
Nicola Sturgeon and Michael Gove in the Sky docudrama, in which critics have dismissed the cast as unconvincing wartime leaders in the Russian invasion scenario.

Sky's new docudrama 'The Wargame' casts former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon as deputy prime minister in a scenario where Britain edges toward World War Three after Russian aggression. Sturgeon's character pushes back against hawkish colleagues, warning that an 'alpha-male mentality' is pushing the UK to the brink. Michael Gove plays the prime minister while Jim Murphy takes the role of defence secretary in the multi-part scenario-based drama.

Critics have been withering, with one calling it 'dreary' and the cast unconvincing as wartime leaders.

Murphy's character bluntly warns the COBR emergency committee 'I fear it could be Russia' after two RAF pilots are shot dead outside a Lincolnshire pub.

Sturgeon has reportedly 'learned nothing' from her participation in the exercise.

MoreThe ScotsmanThe Wargame: RECAP as Nicola Sturgeon stars in fake Russian invasion Sky docudramaThe ScotsmanThe Wargame: Sturgeon in crisis mode as ex-Labour leader sends UK to brink of WW3Daily RecordNicola Sturgeon warns against 'alpha-male mentality' in dreary TV series The WargameThe TimesNicola Sturgeon has learned nothing from her TV wargame
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