Why Atomic Is Sky’s Most Explosive Show Yet

Some TV shows take a while to get into. They’re gentle slow burners where the action ramps up slowly in a measured and delicate way. Then there’s Sky’s latest drama Atomic, which takes more of a flamethrower and fireworks approach.

It’s one wild ride across deserts, cities and cartel hideouts, all fuelled by high-octane action, playful humour and a surprising amount of heart – and it’s set to be one of this year’s most gripping TV rides.

Starring Game Of Thrones alumni Alfie Allen as free-spirited drug smuggler Max and Star Trek: Discovery’s Shazad Latif as JJ, a haunted outsider on the run, they’re an unlikely duo thrown together by chance in the Libyan desert and soon find themselves in possession of uranium that could power a nuclear bomb. 

Cue: CIA agents, cartels, warlords and a dangerous road trip from hell.

It’s an action adventure that’s also about friendship, redemption and whether two of the world’s most unlikely heroes can actually save it. Buckle in.

The, ahem, explosive five-part series launched with the first two episodes on Sky Showcase HD (CH 109) on Thursday 28 August with new episodes airing weekly. But don’t worry if you missed it – you can catch up now in Sky Showcase on demand. You’ll also be able to watch the series in Ultra High Definition in On Demand (depending on your package and Virgin TV box).

Here’s everything you need to know about Atomic from the cast and creatives:

Writer and executive producer Gregory Burke describes the show’s concept bluntly (and brilliantly): “Atomic was originally pitched as ‘the two worst people in the world have to save the world.’” Ok, that’s how you do an elevator pitch.

Both Max and JJ start from morally dubious places – one is a drug smuggler, the other a former jihadi haunted by his past. They’re hardly the poster boys for heroism, and they’re unlikely to be lining up alongside all the usual batch of heroes turning up in capes and tights in the cinemas this summer.

But Burke says the show’s central theme is about change, saying: “The idea is that nobody is one thing forever. Everyone can be utterly different depending on their place in time and space.”

That balance between action and philosophy was intentional: “On the surface, it’s an action adventure, but it also has complex themes. The key theme is redemption – the idea that the worst people in the world can become the best people in the right situation.”

Maybe we all have a little bit of a hero inside ourselves.

Sure, uranium is dangerous (ask anyone!). But the real combustible element? Max and JJ’s reluctant friendship, which is in the vein of a classic buddy movie.  The push-pull between Max and JJ powers the series, creating tension, humour and, ultimately, brotherhood.

Alfie Allen (Max) says: “Max is the chalk to JJ’s cheese — an idealist who wears his heart on his sleeve, constantly pushing for connection, even when it’s unwelcome. They start off unsure of each other’s motives, but they gradually form a bond… on the surface, they are far from heroes, but they have the opportunity to become each other’s salvation.”

For Shazad Latif (JJ), it was that relationship that interested him: “It’s classic buddy movie stuff. There’s a lot of offbeat humour even though the series deals with complex themes. Like any great buddy movie, they don’t like each other a lot of the time but learn to need and love each other along their unexpected journey.”

Director Shariff Korver agrees: “Max and JJ are really the heart of the story – they’re the reason you’ll want to watch the show. It feels like you’re watching a buddy film, a thriller and an action-packed comedy series all at once.”

Alongside the central duo is Cassie Elliott (Samira Wiley, The Handmaid’s Tale), a highly skilled scientist and a Non-Official Cover officer for the CIA, whose mission is to stop nuclear weapons from falling into the wrong hands and who plays a vital role in the action.

Wiley says what drew her to the role was perspective: “When I think about atomic bombs and nuclear weapons, I often think about men as the perpetrators. To see Cassie as a representative of the other 50% of our population, to be that voice, and see the kinds of things that mattered to her about the future of our world, was really appealing. She’s the series’ moral compass.”

Her relationship with Max and JJ evolves from suspicion to reluctant alliance: “Her whole goal is to save the world. She doesn’t care if they live or die – she only sees the uranium, which represents destruction. But as the story progresses, she starts to understand where they come from, who their families are, and what they care about.”

The show is inspired by William Langewiesche’s book The Atomic Bazaar, which explores the black market for nuclear material.

Gregory Burke explains: “The book warned about the possibility of non-state actors or terrorist groups obtaining enough nuclear material to make a crude atomic bomb. We used the book as the basis for the story, but fictionalised everything else.”

That grounding in reality gives the drama weight, even as it embraces big spectacle.

Forget green screens and ping pong balls on sticks. This is proper filmmaking, and the series was filmed in Morocco’s deserts and cities, doubling for Libya, Syria, Beirut, Marrakech and beyond. That meant harsh desert shoots against rocketing temperatures, with dust storms and relentless sun.

Allen recalls: “We’ve had some pretty harsh conditions on set. The toughest day was when we shot in Palmyra, when it was like 44°C. There’s a scene where helicopters descend on us and send dust everywhere. That looks incredible, but it was tough to shoot in.”

Wiley adds: “In Marrakech, we didn’t have to act the harsh environments; we were in them. Everyone was completely drenched in sweat, and the smells were interesting.”

From car flips to rooftop chases, Atomic doesn’t hold back. The creative team were determined to keep the action practical, with actors performing much of it themselves.

Stunt coordinator Cedric Proust explains: “We aimed to perform as much as possible with the actors themselves, which added to the complexity. All three of them were very eager to get involved in the action. We tried to limit the use of stunt doubles. Alfie is quite a good driver and did his own driving, Shazad was also very hands-on.”

Allen admits he relished the driving: “Doing it in the desert was great because you can really whip the back end out and go crazy with it.”

For Wiley, it was a whole new challenge and says the shoot pushed her to the limit: “It is the hardest physical stuff I’ve ever done. Running through the Medina, jumping out ofthe way of real motorcycles… That first week I got here, I couldn’t walk for two days.”

We might be used to TV shows looking as good as movies these days, but that means the bar just keeps getting higher. From its sweeping desert vistas to the chaos of crowded cities, Atomic was designed to feel big and immersive on our screens.

Production designer Darryl Hammer says: “I wanted to create an authentic reality, with a strong visual dynamic. I wanted it to feel raw and dirty, where the viewer feels the dust and heat, whilst holding onto a sense of danger.”

Director Korver describes the visual style as “like watching the most beautiful sunset while dust and heat blow right into your face.”

Even the costumes and make-up were carefully tuned to the environments. Costume designer Nina Ayres revealed that desert animal motifs and raw uranium references are hidden in the wardrobe as subtle Easter eggs. See if you can spot them.

While Atomic delivers thrills, the creative team insist its emotional depth sets it apart.

Burke highlights the philosophical heart: “The series is about the idea that everything in the universe is changeable, including human beings. It explores how people can change and be multiple things at the same time – good and bad.”

Executive producer Judy Counihan adds: “The series challenges audience preconceptions about who the ‘bad guys’ really are – and invites viewers to consider whether redemption is possible.”

And as Wiley puts it: “People are not one thing. People can be multiple things at once, and it depends on the situation that shows our true character at any moment.

“Let’s always give people the chance to surprise us.”

For Allen, it’s simple: “It’s one hell of a ride. It’s an intense, passionate story about these two different characters who are grappling with their past and thrust into a chaotic journey through survival.”

Latif promises: “It’s a high-stakes action adventure with wit and heart. There’s a lot of offbeat comedy in it as well.”

Director Korver sums it up: “Atomic is like a wildly dangerous roller coaster that you actually want to ride. It will make you go through all the emotions you’ve got, and it will hopefully make you think about certain things in a different way whilst being entertaining, captivating, gripping and thrilling.”

Explosive, funny and unexpectedly moving, Atomic is more than just your average action-packed series. It’s a story about unlikely connections and the possibility of redemption, all set against a backdrop of global danger. Whether you’re in it for the adrenaline-fuelled action, the offbeat buddy chemistry, or the deeper questions it poses, Atomic looks unmissable.

If you don’t currently have a package where you can access Sky Showcase, you can upgrade your package at any time by signing in to your My Virgin Media account. When you’ve confirmed your order, you’ll receive a confirmation email with more details on what to expect next.

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