Few scandals in modern British journalism have caused as much outrage as the News of the World phone-hacking scandal, a controversy that exposed the invasive tactics of tabloid media and ultimately led to the newspaper’s downfall in 2011.
Now, this dark chapter of media history has been brought to life in ITV’s new drama “The Hack”, written by Jack Thorne and starring David Tennant as Nick Davies, the investigative journalist from The Guardian who helped uncover the story.
In his Irish Times review, critic Ed Power praises The Hack as a thoughtful, socially charged retelling of an important real-world event, though he argues that its creative choices sometimes undermine the power of its message.
The show, he writes, is both fascinating and frustrating — a mixture of meticulous journalism drama and eccentric visual flair that doesn’t always gel.
Public Service Drama at Its Best- or Almost
The UK has a long-standing reputation for producing world-class public service dramas — shows that combine entertainment with social commentary.
Power begins his review by situating The Hack within this tradition, comparing it to earlier successes like Mr Bates vs the Post Office, which shed light on institutional injustice against sub-postmasters, and Adolescence, Thorne’s Netflix project that explored how toxic online masculinity shapes young men.
Just like those dramas, The Hack aims to do more than tell a story.
It seeks to hold power to account, exploring how corporate greed, political influence, and press corruption can collude to exploit ordinary citizens.
For Power, this ambition is commendable- a reminder that British television still dares to tackle difficult truths.
David Tennant’s Riveting Portrayal of Nick Davies
At the heart of The Hack lies a commanding performance from David Tennant, who brings intensity and empathy to the role of Nick Davies, the real-life Guardian journalist who uncovered the systemic phone hacking by News of the World reporters.
Tennant’s connection to the subject matter runs deeper than the script. He was himself a victim of phone hacking, one of several celebrities and public figures targeted by tabloids.
Also Read: Inside Netflix’s ‘True Haunting’: Are the Stories Really Real?
This personal history adds weight to his performance- an authenticity that manifests in every scene.
According to Power, Tennant’s Davies is “world-weary yet relentless,” a man driven by moral conviction and haunted by the enormity of what he discovers.
His portrayal captures both the exhaustion of investigative journalism and the righteous fury of a man standing up against corruption in his own industry.
A Strong Supporting Cast: Toby Jones and Robert Carlyle
Tennant’s portrayal is grounded by equally strong supporting performances. Toby Jones plays Alan Rusbridger, The Guardian’s editor at the time, providing a measured counterbalance to Tennant’s intensity.
Jones, known for his understated intelligence, brings warmth and quiet authority to the role, reflecting Rusbridger’s reputation as a steady hand guiding the paper through its most explosive story.
In a later episode, Robert Carlyle joins the cast as a police constable investigating the disappearance of a private detective.
His subplot eventually intertwines with Davies’s investigation, broadening the scope of the drama and showing how the tentacles of corruption reached beyond the newsroom.
Power notes that this narrative thread adds texture to the story, giving it a detective-like momentum that keeps the audience engaged.
A Story Worth Telling- But Weighed Down by “Wackiness”
While The Hack is praised for its storytelling ambition, Power is less impressed by some of its stylistic experiments.
Much like Thorne’s previous show Adolescence, which filmed each episode in a single take, The Hack introduces a layer of surrealism that he finds distracting.
Animated backgrounds, talking advertisements on the London Underground, and even moving posters- including one depicting media mogul Rupert Murdoch- attempt to visualize Davies’s paranoia and frustration.
While these flourishes aim to externalize the psychological toll of the investigation, Power argues they instead create an atmosphere of “wackiness” that detracts from the gravity of the story.
“The tale is strong enough to stand on its own feet,” he writes, suggesting that the surrealism dilutes rather than enhances the tension.
Ambition vs. Authenticity
Power acknowledges that Thorne’s creative risks stem from a desire to make journalism exciting and cinematic.
After all, investigative reporting doesn’t naturally lend itself to thrilling visuals- it’s long, repetitive, and cerebral work.
However, by layering The Hack with overt artistic metaphors, the series sometimes sacrifices realism for spectacle.
Despite this, Thorne’s script remains sharp and intelligent.
It explores not only the mechanics of the phone-hacking scandal but also the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists- the blurred line between exposure and exploitation, public interest and privacy invasion.
The drama’s moral complexity makes it compelling, even when its execution falters.
The Guardian as the Hero: A Love Letter to Journalism
Unsurprisingly, Power notes, journalists are drawn to stories that portray their profession heroically.
The Hack fits that mold, casting The Guardian and its staff as truth-seekers fighting against powerful enemies.
Yet, the show’s reverence for its protagonists doesn’t feel self-congratulatory. Instead, it highlights the immense pressure and isolation that come with holding the powerful to account.
Tennant’s Nick Davies is not presented as infallible- he’s exhausted, conflicted, and sometimes unsure whether the public will even care about the corruption he’s exposing.
This vulnerability makes him a more human and relatable figure, deepening the emotional impact of the series.
A Flawed but Fearless Retelling
Ultimately, The Hack succeeds as a bold and thought-provoking exploration of one of Britain’s most consequential media scandals.
Ed Power’s review captures both its strengths and weaknesses: a remarkable story told with passion, slightly undermined by stylistic indulgence.
The series reaffirms David Tennant’s status as one of Britain’s finest television actors, while cementing Jack Thorne’s reputation as a writer unafraid to tackle uncomfortable truths.
Even if its experimental visuals don’t always land, The Hack reminds viewers why the press matters- and what happens when it loses its moral compass.
For all its imperfections, The Hack stands as a timely reflection on power, accountability, and truth in the age of media manipulation, proving that sometimes the biggest stories are the ones about those who tell them.
