David Tennant and Toby Jones team up for new phone hacking drama The Hack
Produced by the team behind Mr Bates vs The Post Office
Mr Bates vs The Post Office has become of ITV/STV's biggest ever dramas, telling the real-life story of the Post Office scandal and Horizon IT, so it's no surprise the creators were keen to turn more real-life issues into a drama series.
ITV/STV have now announced a brand new drama for 2025 called The Hack, which will explore the phone hacking scandal at the News of the World, which led to the closure of the newspaper in 2011.
What is The Hack about?
ITV/STV say of the The Hack: 'Set between 2002 and 2012, the drama deftly interweaves two real life stories, the work of investigative journalist Nick Davies, played by David Tennant, who uncovered evidence of phone hacking at the News of the World, and running parallel, the story of the investigation into the unsolved murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan, led by former Met Police Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Cook, played by Robert Carlyle. Toby Jones plays former Editor-in Chief of The Guardian, Alan Rusbridger.
ITV by Director of Drama, Polly Hill said of the drama: “I am very proud to be making this important drama with Patrick Spence, Jack Thorne and Lewis Arnold. They are a brilliant team and the perfect people to bring this story to screen. And its testament to them that we have such an incredible cast led by David Tennant, Robert Carlyle and Toby Jones.” Patrick Spence:
Is there a trailer?
No trailer has been released just yet.
When is it on TV?
At this stage bosses are yet to confirm a start date, but they have revealed the series is currently in post-production having filmed during 2024.
Who is in the cast?
The Hack has a star-studded cast, with Toby Jones, Robert Carlyle and David Tennant all playing leading roles.
Toby Jones plays former Editor-in Chief of The Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, whilst Robert Carlyle takes on the role of Superintendent Dave Cook. Scottish actor David Tennant plays real-life investigative journalist Nick Davies, who uncovered evidence of phone hacking at the newspaper.
Other cast members include Rose Leslie, Dougray Scott, Eve Myles, Adrian Lester, Katherine Kelly, Kevin Doyle, Neil Maskell, Lara Pulver, Lee Ingleby, Pip Torrens, Lisa McGrillis, Sean Pertwee, Robert Bathurst, Richard Pepple, Nadia Albina, Phil Davis, Ace Bhatti, Charlie Brooks, and Steve Pemberton.
How many episodes?
The Hack will be made up of seven episodes.
What channel is it on?
The hugely-antipcated new drama will air on ITV and STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player.
Who wrote it?
Lewis Arnold, who has worked on shows such as Time and The Long Shadow is directing The Hack, whilst Mr Bates vs The Post Office producer Patrick Spence will act as Executive Producer.
Jack Thorne and Joe Williams are also working as Executive Producers, having worked together on Mr Bates vs The Post Office
Abi Bach is the Series Producer, whilst Annalisa Dinnella has written one of the episodes and is co-writing two of the episodes with Jack Thorne.
Jack Thorne said: “This is a strange and deceptive piece of our recent history. One with so many layers to it. I thought, as someone who is interested in politics, I understood everything that happened. I did not. It’s a fight for the truth that really shocked me. That is why it matters to tell this story now in an age where the truth seems more in danger than ever. It is a true honour to be bringing this story to the screen alongside David, Robert, Toby, Lewis, Patrick, Joe and Abi. I hope we find a way to do justice to the complexity of what happened and of celebrating the incredible reporting that sits underneath it.”
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The Hack will air on ITV/STV later this year.
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