STAN AND ITV COMMISSION THE HACK, WRITTEN BY MULTI AWARD-WINNING SCREENWRITER JACK THORNE, WITH DAVID TENNANT, ROBERT CARLYLE AND TOBY JONES IN LEADING ROLES.
Directed by Lewis Arnold and Executive Produced by Patrick Spence, the Stan Original Series The Hack is produced by the team behind the global success Mr Bates vs The Post Office.
January 30, 2025 – Stan and ITV today announced the brand new Stan Original Series The Hack, a seven-part limited series about the phone hacking scandal which resulted in the closure of the best-selling newspaper in the UK, written by BAFTA, Tony and Olivier award winning screenwriter, Jack Thorne.
Set between 2002 and 2012, the drama deftly interweaves two real life stories, the work of investigative journalist Nick Davies, played by David Tennant (Rivals, Good Omens), 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 (Cobra, The Full Monty). Toby Jones (Mr Bates vs. The Post Office) plays former Editor-in Chief of The Guardian, Alan Rusbridger.
The series 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.
Alongside David Tennant, Robert Carlyle and Toby Jones, the cast also includes Rose Leslie (Vigil, The Time Traveller's Wife), Dougray Scott (Vigil), Eve Myles (Hijack), Adrian Lester (Hustle), Katherine Kelly (Mr Bates vs. The Post Office), Kevin Doyle (Downton Abbey), Neil Maskell (Hijack), Lara Pulver (Maternal), Lee Ingleby (The Long Shadow), Pip Torrens (The Nevers), Lisa McGrillis (Rivals), Sean Pertwee (The Night Caller), Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet), Richard Pepple (Cobra), Nadia Albina (All of You), Phil Davis (Vera Drake), Ace Bhatti (Alex Rider), Charlie Brooks (Lie with Me), and Steve Pemberton (Missing You).
Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie said: "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, Jo and Abi. The importance of this series can be seen with the exceptional cast, led by David Tennant, Robert Carlyle, and Toby Jones."
Screenwriter 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."
ITV Director of Drama, Polly Hill said: "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 it's testament to them that we have such an incredible cast led by David Tennant, Robert Carlyle and Toby Jones."
Executive Producer Patrick Spence said: "It’s clear that several questions remain unanswered. This drama is our contribution to that conversation."
Stan’s Executive Producers are Cailah Scobie and Amanda Duthie. ITV Studios is producer and co-financier of the drama and distributes the series internationally.
The Stan Original Series The Hack is coming soon, only on Stan.
For more information, contact Stan Publicity: stan.publicity@stan.com.au
For all Stan publicity assets, please go to: www.stan.news
January 27, 2025