From the raw emotional depth of Adolescence to the hard-hitting social commentary of Help and Best Interests, screenwriter Jack Thorne has built a reputation for tackling complex and uncomfortable truths. His latest project, The Hack, is an upcoming ITV drama that delves into the explosive phone hacking scandal that shook the foundations of the British media and tabloid journalism.
With its timely subject matter and high-profile talent, including Broadchurch and Mr Bates vs The Post Office stars, the series is set to be one of the most talked-about dramas of the year. Here's everything you should know:
What's The Hack about?
The seven-part series explores the notorious phone hacking scandal that rocked News of the World, leading to its closure and the imprisonment of its ex-editor Andy Coulson.
The official synopsis 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."
Who's in the cast of The Hack?
The new drama has an impressive all-star cast including:
• David Tennant (Broadchurch, Des) as Nick Davies
• Toby Jones (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Detectorists) as Alan Rusbridger
• Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting, Toxic Town) as DCS Dave Cook
• Cara Theobold (Downton Abbey, The Syndicate) as Amelia Hill
• Rose Leslie (Game of Thrones, Vigil)
• Eve Myles (Keeping Faith, The Guest)
• Dougray Scott (The Crow Girl, Crime)
• Adrian Lester (Life, Trigger Point)
• Katherine Kelly (Protection, Innocent)
• Lee Ingleby (The A Word, The Long Shadow)
• Kevin Doyle (Downton Abbey, Happy Valley)
• Lisa McGrillis (Mum, Rivals)
• Lara Pulver (Maternal, Sherlock)
• Neil Maskell (Hijack, The Bay)
• Sean Pertwee (Chancer, Bodyguards)
• Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet, Toast of London)
• Ace Bhatti (Manhunt, Protection)
• Steve Pemberton (Inside No. 9, Missing You)
• Charlie Brooks (EastEnders, Lie With Me)
• Pip Torrens (The Crown, Poldark)
• Phil Davis (Whitechapel, Trying)
• Richard Pepple (Beasts of No Nation, COBRA)
David Tennant told the Off Menu podcast with James Acaster and Ed Gamble, that shooting the series had been "very intense, just because there's a lot of quite complicated information in that, you know."
"I'm playing a journalist who sort of broke the case open, and there's just a lot of quite technical stuff. And obviously you have to be very specifically on that because there's a lot of lawyers watching to make sure you don't say the wrong thing."
Where can I watch The Hack?
A release date for The Hack has yet to be announced, but the miniseries will air on ITV1 and will be available to stream on ITVX. We'll update this page when we know more.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, going to see shows and playing board games and walking her three dogs.