The Hack

Set between 2002 and 2012, The Hack follows two intertwined real-life threads: the exposure of phone hacking at the News of the World and the long-running inquiry into the unsolved killing of private investigator Daniel Morgan. The series moves between newsroom meetings and police rooms, showing how rumors, power plays, and institutional blind spots shape investigations. David Tennant plays reporter Nick Davies, whose reporting collides with police work led by Robert Carlyle's DCS Dave Cook. Along the way political figures and newsroom leaders appear, and the show keeps its focus on procedure, secrecy, and the slow work of uncovering facts, without revealing final outcomes.

The series was released in 2025, created by Jack Thorne and Annalisa D'Innella, and directed by Lewis Arnold. It draws on real reporting and public inquiries for source material, and features Dougray Scott as Gordon Brown and Toby Jones as Alan Rusbridger.

Critical response has been mixed to positive, reflected in a 6.8/10 user vote average from a small sample. Reviewers have singled out the performances of Tennant and Carlyle and noted the series' steady pacing, while some critics wanted tighter plotting. The show focuses on institutional accountability, the relationship between media and power, and the difficulty of proving wrongdoing when records and memories conflict.

Culturally, The Hack has renewed conversation about press ethics and police oversight, reminding viewers of how historical scandals resonate today. It prompted renewed interest in archived reporting and public inquiries, and generated discussion on social media about the limits of accountability when powerful institutions resist scrutiny.

As of early 2025, The Hack has not accumulated major industry awards or high-profile nominations. Any festival screenings, regional awards, or later nominations may appear as the series reaches broader audiences, but at release its recognition is mainly critical and conversational rather than trophy-driven.