ITV has unveiled a sneak peek at its upcoming phone-hacking drama, The Hack, featuring David Tennant in the lead role.
The seven-part series, set between 2002 and 2012, skilfully intertwines two real-life narratives. One follows investigative journalist Nick Davies (played by Tennant), who exposed evidence of phone hacking at News of the World.
The other narrative centres on the investigation into the unsolved murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan, led by former Met Police Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Cook.
Directed by Lewis Arnold of Sherwood fame, the script is penned by award-winning screenwriter Jack Thorne, who also serves as an executive producer. Annalisa Dinnella from Sex Education has written one episode and co-written two others with Thorne.
The star-studded cast includes Robert Carlyle of Once Upon a Time fame as Detective Cook, and Toby Jones, known for Mr Bates vs. The Post Office, as Alan Rusbridger, former Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian.
The show also features 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.
Tennant will not only star but also serve as an executive producer alongside Joe Williams and Lewis Arnold, while Abi Bach from The Honourable Woman is the series producer, reports the Express.
The new series has been given the green light by ITV Director of Drama Polly Hill and is set to be broadcast on ITV and STV, with streaming options available on ITVX and STV Player. With filming wrapped up in 2024, the team is now focusing on post-production efforts.
“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,” shared Thorne in a recent statement.
“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.”
The Hack is set to air on ITV and stream on ITVX