The phone hacking drama comes from the team behind Mr Bates vs the Post Office. 

With impeccable timing, after the recent out-of-court settlement between Prince Harry and News Group Newspapers, ITV have announced The Hack.

The show explores the UK’s phone hacking scandal and its impact. Filmed during 2024, the 7-part drama is currently in post-production.

The Hack is led David Tennant, Toby Jones and Robert Carlyle, and comes from the team behind the acclaimed Mr Bates vs the Post Office – writer Jack Thorne, director Lewis Arnold and producer Patrick Spence.

The show’s wider cast holds a wealth of British talent. It includes 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.

Here’s the premise of The Hack:

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 is written by Jack Thorne with Annalisa Dinnella (Sex Education). The director is Lewis Arnold (Sherwood) and the executive producer is Patrick Spence (A Spy Among Friends). The series producer is Abi Bach (And Then There Were None). Jack Thorne also executive produces alongside Joe Williams, Lewis Arnold and David Tennant.

Jack Thorne said:

“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.”

The Hack is an ITV Studios co-production with Stan, Australia

We’ll keep you posted.