David Tennant takes center stage as investigative journalist Nick Davies in ITV's upcoming drama series The Hack, which delves deep not only unit the infamous phone hacking scandal but also intertwines the tragic story of private investigator Daniel Morgan's unsolved murder.
The seven-part series, commissioned by ITV, aims to shed light on the dark and convoluted narrative behind the closure of the News of the World. Spanning from 2002 to 2012, it chronicles the persistent efforts of Davies, who famously uncovered evidence of widespread phone hacking at the now-defunct tabloid.
Written by acclaimed screenwriter Jack Thorne, known for his detailed and engaging storytelling, The Hack features Tennant alongside notable cast members including Robert Carlyle and Toby Jones. Carlyle portrays Dave Cook, the former Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Superintendent who led the investigation of Morgan's murder, which occurred back on March 10, 1987. Jones takes on the role of Alan Rusbridger, the former Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian, which covered the burgeoning scandal extensively.
Thorne, who is also executive producing the drama, described the story as “a strange and deceptive piece of our recent history,” emphasizing the layered complexity of the events surrounding the scandal. He reflected on his own revelations during the writing process, stating, “I thought, as someone who is interested in politics, I understood everything... I did not. It’s a fight for the truth... That is why it matters to tell this story now.”
The scandal erupted publicly when the News of the World, owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN), was implicated not only for hacking the voicemail accounts of celebrities and public figures but also for allegedly spying on families of crime victims. This unforeseen breach of trust eventually led to the newspaper's closure in 2011. Notably, the scandal has left reverberations throughout British politics and media industry practices.
While The Hack pulls primarily from the investigative work of Davies, it also dovetails this narrative with the personal tragedy of Morgan, whose murder remains unsolved decades later. The circumstances surrounding Morgan's death continue to raise unsettling questions about police complicity and corruption, especially as allegations surfaced claiming the News of the World had followed Morgan during his inquiries.
The drama has been directed by BAFTA award-winner Lewis Arnold, and the production team includes Patrick Spence, who previously worked on Mr Bates vs The Post Office, another project focusing on the convergence of journalism and legal issues.
“I am very proud to be making this important drama,” remarked Polly Hill, ITV's Director of Drama. She commended the team's effort to bring such pivotal stories to the screen with the brilliant ensemble cast on board. The weighty combination of stellar performances, historical relevance, and pressing social themes makes The Hack much anticipated, especially as the show unravels the intricacies of journalistic integrity.
Set amid the backdrop of high-profile revelations, the launch of The Hack feels poignant as recent events have seen figures like Prince Harry and others settling legal actions against NGN. Such developments highlight the enduring impact of the phone hacking scandal on victims and the tabloid industry.
Filming for the series is currently complete, and it is now entering post-production. Although no release date has been announced yet, it will be made available on both ITV and STV, with streaming options provided via ITVX and STV Player.
Interest around The Hack continues to grow, particularly as it reflects the current media climate fraught with misinformation. By reclaiming lost narratives and elucidations of truth-seeking journalism, the show promises to deliver compelling and thought-provoking content.