Last updated on: January 21, 2026
If you’re a fan of gripping political thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat, you’re in for a treat. Trinity, Netflix’s highly anticipated new series, is bringing the mind-bending drama you loved from Bodyguard back to your screen. This eight-episode thriller comes straight from the creative mind of Jed Mercurio, the mastermind behind some of British television’s most addictive dramas. Whether you’re seeking your next binge-worthy obsession or just love a good conspiracy story, Trinity is shaping up to be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
What Is Trinity?
So, what exactly is Trinity about? Imagine this: a heroic naval officer finds herself drawn into a dangerous world of political intrigue when she becomes entangled with a charismatic politician who may be hiding a explosive secret. That’s the heart of this political thriller and military drama.
The show follows Commander Katherine Decker, a courageous woman who serves as second-in-command on the USS Kansas—a nuclear submarine that’s essentially one of the most powerful weapons on Earth. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she becomes involved with Webb Preston, the Secretary of Defense. On the surface, he’s charming, innovative, and different from your typical politician. But as Katherine digs deeper, she discovers he might be at the center of a dangerous conspiracy that could shake everything you think you know about power and loyalty.
Why is everyone talking about Trinity? Well, there are several reasons. First, it’s coming from Jed Mercurio, the brilliant mind who created Line of Duty and Bodyguard—two shows that basically redefined what British television drama could be. Second, it reunites Mercurio with Richard Madden, the actor who stole hearts in Game of Thrones and Bodyguard. And third, pairing Madden with Gugu Mbatha-Raw, a powerhouse actress known for her stunning work in Loki and The Morning Show, creates a dynamic that fans are already incredibly excited about. The genre itself—political intrigue mixed with military stakes—is something viewers have proven they absolutely love.
Release Date & Format
Here’s what you need to know about getting your hands on Trinity: there’s no official Netflix release date yet. As of early 2026, the streaming giant hasn’t announced exactly when you’ll be able to start watching.
That said, based on production timelines and the show’s current status, most industry sources predict that Trinity will arrive sometime in 2026. Since filming wrapped in November 2025 in Vancouver, the post-production work is likely happening right now. Netflix typically takes a few months to finalize editing, sound design, and all the visual effects work before releasing a series to the public.
When Trinity does arrive, you’ll get eight episodes for the first season. That’s a solid amount of content—enough to give you a complete story while keeping you hungry for more if Netflix decides to renew it.
Full Cast & Characters
Main Cast: The Heart of the Story
Your introduction to Trinity starts with its phenomenal lead actors, so let’s meet them:
Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Commander Katherine Decker – Katherine is the emotional and moral anchor of the series. As the second-in-command on the USS Kansas nuclear submarine, she’s experienced, capable, and deeply committed to her duties. Mbatha-Raw brings a nuanced performance to the role, capturing both Katherine’s strength as a naval officer and her vulnerability as she gets pulled into a web of political deception.
Richard Madden as Secretary of Defense Webb Preston – Richard plays Webb, and this role lets him showcase what made him so incredible in Bodyguard. Webb presents himself as a tech-savvy, innovative politician—different from the usual Washington power players. He’s charming on the surface, but there’s something darker lurking beneath. His background in technology makes him uniquely threatening to those around him who fear change and disruption. The chemistry between Madden and Mbatha-Raw is electric, and that tension between them drives the entire narrative.
Marcia Gay Harden as Margaret Vandenburg – Harden joins the cast as Margaret, a powerful CEO who leads her family’s business empire with an iron fist. She has serious political connections and isn’t afraid to use them. Harden’s presence immediately elevates any project she’s in, and her experience handling complex, morally gray characters makes her perfect for this role.
JD Pardo as Tom Reyes – Pardo plays Lieutenant Commander Tom Reyes, a naval officer who gets caught up in the central conspiracy. His character serves as an important piece of the puzzle connecting the military and political worlds.
Supporting Cast: Building the World
Beyond the main players, you’ve got an impressive roster of supporting and recurring characters played by some seriously talented actors:
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James Remar as President Paul Barnard – Remar brings his commanding presence to the role of the U.S. President, caught between his loyalty to Webb and the growing suspicions surrounding him.
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Bruce Greenwood as Special Agent Eric Colby – Greenwood, known for his work in The Resident and Fall of the House of Usher, plays a federal agent who gets drawn into the conspiracy.
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Robert Wisdom as Admiral Griff Tatum – Wisdom brings military authority to his role as the Admiral, adding another layer of institutional power dynamics to the story.
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Kirk Acevedo as Captain Jock Campbell – Acevedo, known for Band of Brothers and Arrow, plays a military captain involved in the unfolding drama.
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Ben Cotton as Special Agent Jake Ryan – Cotton brings his talent from The Night Shift to the role of another federal agent working the case.
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Jason Ralph as Brooks Vandenburg – Ralph, known for The Magicians and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, plays a character connected to Margaret’s family empire.
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Mark O’Brien as Dr. Brian York – O’Brien, a versatile actor from City on a Hill and Ready or Not, plays a doctor whose character adds another perspective to the unfolding conspiracy.
Meet the Key Cast Members
Gugu Mbatha-Raw: Rising Star, Leading Lady
You might recognize Gugu from her captivating performance as Sylvie in Marvel’s Loki series, where she brought intelligence and complexity to her role. But her talents go far beyond that. She’s also starred in the Apple TV+ series Surface, where she demonstrated her ability to carry a dramatic narrative. Her breakthrough role was in the 2013 film Belle, where she played the titular character—a groundbreaking biopic that earned her a BAFTA nomination and numerous accolades including a Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture.
What makes Gugu perfect for Katherine Decker is her ability to convey both strength and vulnerability. She doesn’t play characters as one-dimensional heroes or victims—she finds the complexity in people, which is exactly what this role demands. Katherine must be a capable military officer while also being someone who’s emotionally affected by her discoveries. That’s a delicate balance that requires real skill.
Richard Madden: From King in the North to Political Thriller Star
If you watched Game of Thrones, you know Richard Madden as the tragic Robb Stark, the King in the North whose story ended dramatically at the Red Wedding. That role made him a household name, but it was actually his performance in the BBC thriller Bodyguard (2018) that showed just how versatile he could be. Playing Sergeant David Budd, a troubled war veteran assigned to protect the British Home Secretary, Madden earned himself a Golden Globe Award and widespread critical acclaim.
What’s exciting about Richard reteaming with Jed Mercurio for Trinity is that there’s already proven chemistry there. They created something special with Bodyguard, and now they’re exploring new territory. Richard has also shown his range in films like Eternals (as the villain Ikaris), 1917, Cinderella (as Prince Kit), and the action series Citadel. He’s an actor who can make you believe in almost any character he plays, and his ability to suggest hidden depths beneath a charming exterior is exactly what Webb Preston requires.
Marcia Gay Harden: Award-Winning Powerhouse
Marcia Gay Harden is one of those actresses whose name alone suggests quality. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as painter Lee Krasner in Pollock (2000). She was also nominated for another Oscar for Mystic River (2003), where she played the troubled wife of one of the main characters. Beyond film, she’s a stage veteran—she won a Tony Award for her performance in God of Carnage on Broadway.
In recent years, you might have seen her in the acclaimed Apple TV+ series The Morning Show, where she played a senior network executive, or in the CBS comedy So Help Me Todd. Her ability to play powerful, complex women who navigate systems of power makes her ideal for Margaret Vandenburg. When Harden is on screen, you believe she’s someone who gets things done and isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes to protect her interests and her family.
Creative Team Behind Trinity
Jed Mercurio: The Mastermind
You might not know Jed Mercurio’s name off the top of your head, but you absolutely know his work. This British writer, producer, and director has become one of the most important voices in contemporary television drama.
Here’s his story: Jed was born in 1966 and grew up in Staffordshire, England. His parents were Italian immigrants—his father worked as a coal miner. Early in his career, he attended the University of Birmingham Medical School and actually worked as a hospital doctor for three years. He was also a Royal Air Force officer, receiving flying training with the intention of specializing in aviation medicine.
But then came a turning point. While still a medical student, he answered an advertisement in the British Medical Journal and essentially pitched himself as a television writer, despite having minimal writing experience. They took a chance on him, and he created Cardiac Arrest (1994-1996), a gritty BBC medical drama that shocked viewers with its realistic portrayal of hospital life. The series was twice nominated for the Writers’ Guild Best Original Drama award and topped a poll of UK medical professionals as the most realistic medical drama ever made.
From there, Mercurio went on to create Line of Duty, which became a cultural phenomenon in the UK—a masterclass in institutional corruption and moral ambiguity. The sixth season finale drew 17.1 million viewers over 28 days, making it the most-watched drama episode in UK television history. He also created Bodyguard, which earned a stunning 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and is considered one of the most underrated British shows of the 21st century.
What makes Mercurio’s work so addictive is his background as a doctor and military officer. He understands institutions—how they work, how they protect themselves, and how they can corrupt the people inside them. His stories are driven by character first, with plotting that keeps you constantly second-guessing what you think you know.
For Trinity, Mercurio is serving as showrunner, writer, and executive producer. He’s bringing all the lessons from his previous successes and creating something new in the naval and political thriller space.
Michael Cuesta: The Director With Pedigree
Michael Cuesta is directing the first two episodes of Trinity and serving as an executive producer. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he has an impressive track record directing prestige television drama.
Cuesta is perhaps best known for directing the pilot episode of Dexter—arguably one of the greatest television pilots ever made. He’s also directed key episodes of Homeland (including some of the best episodes from the earlier, acclaimed seasons), worked on City on a Hill, Billions, True Blood, and recently directed episodes of Daredevil: Born Again, Marvel’s new Netflix revival.
What Cuesta brings to the first impression of Trinity is a strong visual style and an understanding of how to set up complex narratives. His work on submarine-based dramas and military stories will be crucial in establishing the tone and feel of the USS Kansas setting.
The Production Team
Behind the scenes, you’ve also got Jimmy Mulville from Hat Trick Productions working as an executive producer, along with Wendy Mericle, who brings her television pedigree from shows like Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow. The studio producing Trinity is 20th Television, which has had recent hits on Netflix like Nobody Wants This.
Production Details
Where and How They’re Making It
Trinity filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada—specifically at North Shore Studios and Lions Gate Studios. Filming took place from July 7, 2025, through November 5, 2025, giving the crew nearly five months to shoot eight episodes.
Vancouver is often called “Hollywood North” because so many major productions film there. The city offers both modern soundstages and diverse locations that can stand in for almost anywhere in the world. For Trinity, the production team built elaborate sets to bring the USS Kansas to life—including interior mock-ups of a nuclear submarine and even an actual submarine placed in a pool for filming water-based scenes.
The production was reportedly so detailed that the crew even transformed one of the Riverview hospital buildings in Coquitlam into a Naval Medical Center for the Portsmouth scenes. This level of production design tells you that Netflix is taking Trinity seriously as a major event series.
What to Expect From the Story
Themes That Will Keep You Hooked
Trinity explores several interconnected themes that make for compelling drama:
Political Intrigue – At its core, this is a story about power and how it corrupts. You’ll see political maneuvering, backstroom deals, and people willing to compromise their principles for advancement. It’s the kind of story that makes you think about trust and loyalty.
Military Life and Culture – The show is grounded in naval culture and military hierarchy. Katherine’s world aboard the USS Kansas gives the series a unique setting. You get authentic military procedure mixed with the very human drama of people working in high-stress, dangerous environments.
Conspiracy and Deception – Webb Preston may seem like a visionary, but Katherine soon realizes nothing is what it seems. The conspiracy at the heart of the story is designed to unravel slowly, with each revelation making you question everything that came before.
Power Dynamics and Attraction – There’s an underlying tension between Katherine and Webb. She’s drawn to him, but she’s also investigating him. This creates an intoxicating dynamic where you’re never quite sure where loyalty lies or what either character will do.
The Tone and Style
Based on Jed Mercurio’s previous work, expect Trinity to have a tense, propulsive tone. Bodyguard was described by critics as having “pulse-pounding action and brain-bending twists,” and some reviews mentioned it being so anxiety-inducing that viewers could barely stay in their seats. Trinity will likely follow a similar path—fast-paced, morally complex, and absolutely gripping.
The show won’t give you easy answers or reassuring resolutions. Mercurio’s style is to create moral gray areas where good people do questionable things and the lines between right and wrong get blurry. You won’t be able to predict what happens next, and that’s part of what makes his dramas so addictive.
Comparisons & What Fans Are Saying
How Trinity Compares to Bodyguard
The most obvious comparison is to Bodyguard, Mercurio and Madden’s previous collaboration. On Rotten Tomatoes, Bodyguard sits at a remarkable 93% critical score, and fans consider it one of the most underrated British shows of the 21st century. The series finale drew massive audiences and kept viewers in a constant state of tension.
Trinity is positioned as a spiritual successor to Bodyguard—a high-stakes political thriller with a similar level of intrigue and tension, but in a completely different setting. While Bodyguard was about a protection officer and the Home Secretary of the UK, Trinity shifts the focus to naval and international defense. Many fans are hoping Trinity will capture that same magic.
Other Netflix Thriller Comparisons
Fans are also comparing Trinity to Netflix’s Zero Day, another political thriller, as well as to prestige network dramas like The Fall and Homeland. The thriller genre has exploded on streaming platforms, and viewers have become increasingly sophisticated about what they want: complex characters, plot twists that feel earned rather than cheap, and stakes that feel real.
What the Community Is Saying
On social media and fan forums, the response to Trinity’s announcement has been overwhelmingly positive. Fans of Loki are excited to see Gugu Mbatha-Raw lead her own project. Game of Thrones fans are curious to see what Richard Madden does next. And anyone who loved Bodyguard is basically already counting down the days until they can watch.
The reunion of Mercurio and Madden is a major selling point for devoted fans. People remember exactly how addictive Bodyguard was, and they’re eager to experience that same level of dramatic tension again.
FAQs
Is there an official release date for Trinity yet?
No, Netflix hasn’t announced a specific premiere date as of January 2026. However, based on production timelines, most sources expect it to arrive sometime in 2026. Keep an eye on Netflix’s official channels and your email for the announcement.
How many episodes will Trinity have?
The first season will have eight episodes. This is standard for prestige Netflix dramas—enough to tell a complete story without dragging things out.
Who are the main stars of Trinity?
The leads are Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Commander Katherine Decker and Richard Madden as Secretary of Defense Webb Preston. Marcia Gay Harden also plays a major role as Margaret Vandenburg.
Who created Trinity?
Jed Mercurio, the genius behind Bodyguard and Line of Duty, created and is showrunning the series.
Is Trinity a continuation of any existing story?
No, Trinity is completely original. It’s not based on any books, films, or existing intellectual property. It’s Jed Mercurio’s own creation.
Where is Trinity filmed?
The entire series was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, primarily at North Shore Studios and Lions Gate Studios. Filming wrapped in November 2025.
Will there be more seasons if Trinity is successful?
Netflix hasn’t announced anything about future seasons yet. However, given that the first season is eight episodes with a complete story arc, it could work as a limited series, or Netflix could greenlight additional seasons depending on viewership and reviews.
How does Trinity compare to Bodyguard?
Both are Jed Mercurio thrillers that reunite him with Richard Madden. However, Bodyguard focused on a protection officer and UK politics, while Trinity shifts to the military, naval warfare, and American politics. They share a similar tone of high-stakes intrigue and moral ambiguity but tell completely different stories.
Conclusion
Trinity represents everything that makes modern television drama so exciting. You’ve got a brilliant creator at the top of his game, exceptional casting that brings both star power and serious acting chops, a timely premise about power and corruption, and production values that make you feel like you’re watching a theatrical event.
Whether you’re drawn to political thrillers, military dramas, or just want to see what Jed Mercurio, Richard Madden, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw do next, Trinity deserves to be on your radar. The combination of Mercurio’s proven ability to create addictive narratives, Madden’s demonstrated talent for playing morally complex characters, and Mbatha-Raw’s emerging status as one of the industry’s most compelling actresses suggests we’re in for something really special.
So keep your eyes on Netflix. While there’s no confirmed date yet, Trinity is coming in 2026, and based on everything we know, it’s going to be worth the wait. Mark your calendars, follow Netflix’s announcements, and get ready to dive into a world of naval intrigue, political machinations, and dangerous liaisons. Your next binge-watch is on the way.
