The Hack is a 7-part ITV Studios co-production with Stan, Australia about the phone hacking scandal written by 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.

Set between 2002 and 2012, the drama 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.

The drama has been directed by BAFTA award winning director Lewis Arnold (Time, Sherwood, The Long Shadow) and is executive produced by BAFTA and RTS award winning Patrick Spence, (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, A Spy Among Friends, Adult Material), who is the Managing Director of AC Chapter One.

Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials, Help, National Treasure, the films Enola Holmes) also executive produces alongside Joe Williams (Mr Bates vs The Post Office as Executive Producer, Lupin as Story Producer) for ITV Studios, Lewis Arnold and David Tennant.  Abi Bach, producer of multi award-winning dramas (The Honourable Woman, Black Earth Rising, And Then There Were None) is the Series Producer.

Annalisa Dinnella (Sex Education, Ralph & Katie) has written one of the episodes and is co-writing two of the episodes with Jack Thorne.

Commented 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.”

Commented 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.”

Commented Patrick Spence: “It’s clear that several questions remain unanswered.   This drama is our contribution to that conversation.”

Alongside David Tennant, Robert Carlyle and Toby Jones, the cast also 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.

Commented Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie: “The Hack is a timely and impactful series that underscores Stan’s commitment to bringing high-quality and thought-provoking content to our audiences, together with our partners at ITV, alongside Jack, Lewis, Patrick, Joe and Abi. The importance of this series can be seen with the exceptional 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.