Writer Jack Thorne has described his new ITV drama, The Hack, as a "celebration of journalists who called out their own industry" in the phone hacking scandal. The drama, which stars David Tennant as Nick Davies, the Guardian reporter who exposed the extent of the hacking at the News of the World, aims to uncover the troubling relationship between the press, politics, and the police that allowed the scandal to persist. Thorne, who also wrote the Netflix hit Adolescence, praised the courage of journalists who were willing to damage their own industry in the pursuit of the truth.
Thorne's remarks highlight a key difference between The Hack and other recent dramas about public scandals. He noted that while a show like Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office was about the failure of journalism to get to the heart of a story, his new show celebrates the journalists who were successful in doing so. This distinction is central to the drama's purpose, which is to honor the work of investigative reporters who tirelessly pursued the truth despite immense pressure and resistance from powerful institutions. The series focuses on the stories of Davies and detective Dave Cook, who investigated the murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan, a case that eventually became linked to the hacking scandal.
The drama comes at a time when the reputation of journalism is under intense scrutiny. By focusing on the actions of journalists who acted with integrity, Thorne hopes to restore some faith in the profession. He stated that he initially thought the scandal was just about journalists behaving badly, but his research revealed a much more complex and systemic issue. The show seeks to expose the deep seated corruption and the culture of impunity that existed within certain parts of the media, as well as the police and political establishment.
By telling this story, Thorne believes the drama will shed light on a piece of recent history that is still not fully understood. He hopes the show will encourage a broader conversation about journalistic ethics and the importance of a free and responsible press. The Hack is set to provide viewers with a detailed and compelling account of the investigation that ultimately led to the closure of Britain's biggest selling Sunday newspaper and a public inquiry into the ethics and culture of the press.
