'Their best project yet': David Tennant & Robert Carlyle lead cast in thrilling drama about national scandal

Cosmopolitan

05-08-2025

This is not a drill. David Tennant and Robert Carlyle are teaming up to lead ITV's newest true crime drama series The Hack, inspired by the harrowing phone hacking scandal.
The unexpected duo will star alongside Toby Jones, Cara Theobold, Eve Myles, Rose Leslie, Katherine Kelly and Adrian Lester for what is likely to be one the best series we'll see from either of them.
And we're not alone in our excitement for this. As soon as the first look images were shared on Instagram yesterday, fans were beside themselves with glee at David and Robert both appearing in the same series with one writing: "Stella cast!!! I shall be watching this for sure!" and another saying: "Now that's a line-up. Tennant, Jones, and Carlyle—an ensemble that feels like it belongs in the same breath as De Niro, Pacino, and Pesci. But there's something about Robert Carlyle that shifts the gravity of a project." And another added: "I am so excited that two of my favourite Scottish actors are FINALLY together in a show."
The new series will weave together two real life stories, that of the work of journalist Nick Davies who uncovered the News of the World phone hacking scandal and the unsolved murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan.
So what do you need to know about the series? Here's your full rundown.
The Hack was first announced back in January 2025 and is a seven-part drama series written by Adolescence's Jack Thorne.
The official synopsis of the show is as follows: "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."
In July 2011, The Guardian claimed journalists at the now defunct newspaper News of the World had hacked into phones for information. The claim and subsequent investigation lead to the closure of the paper.
Leading the cast of The Hack is David Tennant as Nick Davies, the investigative journalist at The Guardian who was responsible for uncovering the phone hacking that was going on at the News of The World. Playing his editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger is Toby Jones, who starred in last year's hit series Mr Bates vs The Post Office.
Joining them is Robert Carlyle as former Met Police Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Cook. Cook was working on the investigation into the murder of Daniel Morgan, a private investigator whose death remains unsolved to this day. The investigation into his death will also be explored in the series.
Cara Theobold will be playing the role of Amelia Hill, a Guardian journalist who worked alongside Davies to uncover the phone hacking scandal.
Also in the cast in yet undisclosed roles are Katherine Kelly, Rose Leslie, Dougray Scott, Eve Myles, Adrian Lester, Lisa McGrillis and many more.
So far the exact release date of the new series has not been confirmed, however ITV has said it is "coming soon", which at least means it's likely to come before the end of 2025.