Latest news with #ACChapterOne
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
David Tennant looks completely different in new ITV drama with Downton Abbey and Happy Valley stars
David Tennant is starring in ITV's new drama about the phone hacking scandal from award-winning writer Jack Thorne and the producers behind Mr Bates vs The Post Office. The Doctor Who actor leads the star-studded cast as investigative journalist Nick Davies – and he looks completely different. A first-look photo of the series, titled The Hack, shows a grey-haired David sitting alongside Toby Jones, who plays former Editor-in Chief of The Guardian, Alan Rusbridger. The synopsis reads: "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." Alongside David, Robert and Toby, the cast also includes Downton Abbey star Rose Leslie, Happy Valley's Katherine Kelly, Torchwood's Eve Myles and Crime star Dougray Scott. Adrian Lester, 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 also star. The series, which was filmed last year, is currently in post-production. BAFTA-winning director Lewis Arnold (Time, Sherwood, The Long Shadow) is at the helm as director, while Patrick Spence (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, A Spy Among Friends) is an executive producer and Managing Director of AC Chapter One. Jack Thorne also executive produces alongside Joe Williams for ITV Studios, Lewis Arnold and David Tennant. Meanwhile, Abi Bach (The Honourable Woman, Black Earth Rising) is the Series Producer. Annalisa Dinnella (Sex Education has penned one of the episodes and is co-writing two of the episodes with Jack Thorne. Jack said of the series: "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 drama is an ITV Studios co-production with Stan in Australia in association with AC Chapter One and One Shoe Films.
The Independent
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
ITV commissions drama about phone hacking scandal produced by Mr Bates vs The Post Office team
A new series on Britain's phone hacking scandal has been commissioned by ITV. The Hack, a 7-part drama, comes on the back of the success of Mr Bates vs The Post Office and is written and produced by some of the same team behind the Bafta Award-winning show. It will also star Mr Bates' lead, Toby Jones. Written by Bafta, Tony and Olivier award-winning screenwriter, Jack Thorne, it will also star Doctor Who actor David Tennant and The Full Monty and Trainspotting star Robert Carlyle. The series will interweave the real life stories of investigative journalist Nick Davies played by Tennant, who discovers evidence of phone hacking at News of the World, and former Met Police detective chief superintendent Dave Cook (Carlyle) as he investigates the unsolved murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan. Jones will play former editor-in-chief of The Guardian, Alan Rusbridger. Set between 2002 and 2012, the phone hacking scandal blew open unethical practices by journalists, including tapping into the voicemails and phones of celebrities, murder victims and their families, and the royal family. It led to the shutting down of the News of the World after 168 years in operation. 'This is a strange and deceptive piece of our recent history,' said Thorne. 'One with so many layers to it. I thought, as someone who is interested in politics, I understood everything that happened. I did not.' He added: '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.' Thorne's previous credits include His Dark Materials, Enola Holmes, Help, and National Treasure. The show will be directed by Bafta-winner Lewis Arnold, whose previous credits include Time, Sherwood, and The Long Shadow. Executive producer Patrick Spence, who is also managing director of AC Chapter One, will join the team following his success on Mr Bates. Produced by ITV studios, it will be co-produced with Australian streaming service, Stan in association with AC Chapter One and One Shoe Films. The series is currently in post-production having filmed during 2024. It will air on ITV and STV and be available for streaming on ITVX and STV Player.
