ITV has commissioned The Hack, a seven-part drama…
ITV Studios co-production with Stan, Australia about the phone hacking scandal written by BAFTA, Tony and Olivier award winning screenwriter, Jack Thorne, with David Tennant, Robert Carlyle and Toby Jones in leading roles and produced by the team from Mr Bates vs The Post Office.
Jack Thorne:
“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.”
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.
The Hack has been commissioned for ITV by Director of Drama, Polly Hill and will air on ITV and STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player. The series is currently in post-production having filmed during 2024.
Polly Hill:
“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.”
ITV Studios is producer and co-financier of the drama and distributes the series internationally.