In the same year that Rupert Murdoch issued a surprise apology and settlement with Prince Harry, ITV is bringing us a brand-new drama about the phone hacking scandal that's set to be another masterpiece. The seven-part true story series, titled The Hack, is penned by Adolescence writer Jack Thorne and stars David Tennant as real-life investigative journalist Nick Davies, who uncovered evidence of phone hacking at Murdoch’s now-defunct News of the World. If you enjoyed last year's Mr Bates vs The Post Office, this is your official replacement.
Set between 2002 and 2012, the drama interweaves two real-life stories, the intense - and important - investigative work of Davies, 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 (Robert Carlyle). It's a seemingly perfectly timed series and writer Jack has said it's more important than ever to tell this story. "This is a strange and deceptive piece of our recent history. One with so many layers to it," he says.
"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," he says.
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With the series set to arrive on our screens this week, here's everything you need to know about The Hack before you tune in, including the plot, cast and release date.
What is The Hack about?
As we briefly mentioned, over the course of seven episodes, The Hack will dig into the story behind the phone hacking scandal. The scandal led to the closure of the News of the World and the imprisonment of its ex-editor Andy Coulson.
The official synopsis for the show reads: "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."
The first-look photos show a grey-haired Tennant and in one, he's sitting alongside Toby Jones, who plays former Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian, Alan Rusbridger. With the likes of Eve Myles and Katherine Kelly also starring (The Crow Girl reunion we've been long for?), it's certainly whet our appetite for more.
![itv studios and stan foritv annd itvxthe hackpic tured:eve myles as jacqui hamesthis photograph is (c) itv studios and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or itv plc. this photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by itv plc picture desk. this photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of itv picture desk. full terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/termsfor further information please contact:patrick.smith@itv.com](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/the-hack-17-68cfc5d824eca.jpg?crop=0.668xw:1.00xh;0.0697xw,0&resize=980:* "itv studios and stan foritv annd itvxthe hackpic tured:eve myles as jacqui hamesthis photograph is (c) itv studios and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or itv plc. this photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by itv plc picture desk. this photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of itv picture desk. full terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/termsfor further information please contact:patrick.smith@itv.com")
The series is set to be the new Mr Bates vs The Post Office and is actually produced by the same team, so we’re expecting big things. The drama has been directed by BAFTA-winning director Lewis Arnold (Time, Sherwood) and is executive produced by BAFTA-winning Patrick Spence, (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, A Spy Among Friends). Jack Thorne (Adolescence) also executive produces alongside Joe Williams (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Lewis Arnold and David Tennant.
Who's in the cast of The Hack?
ITV has announced an all-star cast, including:
- David Tennant
- Robert Carlyle
- Toby Jones
- 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
- Steve Pemberton
Is there a trailer for The Hack?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for ITV's The Hack below:
How can I watch The Hack?
There's not long to wait before The Hack arrives on our screens. The drama will premiere on Wednesday 24th September at 9pm on ITV1, and episodes will also available to stream on ITVX.
What other true story dramas can I watch now?
It's been an exceptional year for true story dramas, starting with A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story on ITV. The series stars Lucy Boynton as the titular Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in Britain and is available to stream on ITVX. More recently, ITV brought us I Fought the Law, the powerful story of Ann Ming (played by Sheridan Smith), the real-life grieving mother who fought the law to get her daughter's killer brought to justice. You can binge it all on ITVX now. For more great real-life dramas, check out our pick of the very best here.
