ITV Studios has announced the first round of international sales for its highly anticipated premium event series “The Hack,” which debuts on ITV in the UK and Stan in Australia. The drama, produced by ITV Studios, AC Chapter One, and One Shoe Films, in co-production with Stan, has already been acquired in 50 countries, with additional deals currently under negotiation.
Tom Clark, EVP Global Sales & Commercial Strategy, Global Partnerships at ITV Studios, stated: “We are so honoured to bring this thought-provoking drama from the team behind ‘Mr Bates vs The Post Office’ and ‘Litvinenko’ to global audiences. ‘The Hack’ brings to screen the untold story behind the UK phone-hacking scandal, and we’re sure it will keep audiences hooked worldwide.”
European broadcasters ARTE (for France and Germany), YLE in Finland, SVT in Sweden, NRK in Norway, DR in Denmark, and Cosmote TV in Greece have secured rights to the series, alongside TVNZ in New Zealand. Pan-regional deals include Lionsgate Play for South Asia, spanning seven countries, and BBC Studios, which acquired the series for 25 countries across Central and Eastern Europe.
Set between 2002 and 2012, “The Hack” explores two interwoven real-life stories: the investigative journalism of Nick Davies, portrayed by David Tennant, who uncovered the UK phone-hacking scandal at the News of the World, and the parallel investigation into the unsolved murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan, led by Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Cook, played by Robert Carlyle. Toby Jones joins the cast as Alan Rusbridger, the former editor-in-chief of The Guardian.
The ensemble cast includes Rose Leslie, Dougray Scott, Eve Myles, Adrian Lester, Katherine Kelly, 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.
Written by Emmy, BAFTA, Tony, and Olivier Award-winning screenwriter Jack Thorne, “The Hack” is directed by BAFTA winner Lewis Arnold and executive produced by Patrick Spence for AC Chapter One, alongside Joe Williams, Lewis Arnold, David Tennant, and Jack Thorne for ITV Studios. Annalisa Dinnella also contributes as co-writer of two episodes and sole writer of one.
The series is produced and co-financed by ITV Studios, which is also handling global distribution. With an all-star cast, acclaimed creative team, and timely subject matter, “The Hack” positions itself as one of the most significant international drama events of the year.
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