SKY has just launched its latest big budget show – a disaster drama about a geothermal storm.

Cobra stars Trainspotting’s Robert Carlyle as the Prime Minister as he deals with an unfolding national emergency with the COBRA committee, a team of leading experts and crisis contingency planners, to protect the people of the UK.

The high stakes six-part thriller, written by Ben Richards, started on Friday on Sky and the whole series is available on demand on Now TV.

And those who have seen it may have recognised a familiar scene when a helicopter swooped into ‘Chequers’.

Arley Hall, near Appleton Thorn, doubles as the PM’s country house.

The estate – home to Lord Ashbrook’s family since the 15th century – has been used as a location for numerous TV shows over the years, most notably in Peaky Blinders.

Arley’s main scene in Cobra involved Prime Minister Robert Sutherland (Carlyle) and his chief of staff Anna Marshall (Victoria Hamilton) flying into Chequers.

They landed the helicopter on a field on the estate and then filmed scenes in the hall, on the Furlong Walk and in the Herbaceous Border.

“It was just great to add more famous faces to the list of actors we’ve had the privilege of watching here at Arley,” said Andrew Moores, a member of the team at Arley Hall and Gardens.

“Everyone recognises Robert Carlyle whether it’s from Hamish Macbeth or Trainspotting and now we all know Victoria Hamilton from The Crown in which she played the Queen Mother brilliantly.

Warrington Guardian:

“We’ve gone from being the home of Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders to the home of the Prime Minister in Cobra and what is always fascinating is how the hall and gardens can be made to look quite different for every new role it takes on.

“These kinds of experiences not only put Arley on the map, but also the area, which is great.

“Visitors to Arley can read all about the TV shows that are filmed here in our exhibition, which is on all year, but we really are running out of space to fit in all the shows that choose us as a location. “

Sky has recently committed to bringing more original British content to the screen and Cobra is the latest to be produced by New Pictures for the TV giant.

The show sees the PM and his chief of staff contending with impossible political decisions.

Not only must they bear the weight of public expectation and their family’s needs, they must also be mindful of their political opponents who will use any sign of weakness as an opportunity to strike.

It also stars Richard Dormer (Game of Thrones, Fortitude), David Haig (Killing Eve, Penny Dreadful), Marsha Thomason (Better Things, White Collar) and Lucy Cohu (Broadchurch, Forgiven).

Cameron Roach, director of Sky Drama and Sky Studios, said: “Cobra gives a fascinating look into the world of politics and power under pressure, brought to life so brilliantly by Ben Richards’ scripts.

“It is a fantastic addition to our growing line up of home-grown British drama on Sky.”

Charlie Pattinson, co-founder of New Pictures, added: “Cobra is a thrilling mix of high stakes politics and high octane action. We are delighted to be working with Sky again to realise Ben Richards’ exhilarating scripts.”

Cobra airs every Friday on Sky One at 9pm or is available to stream now in its entirety on Now TV.