The Hack, like Mr Bates before it, shows how the powerful use influence to hide their wrongdoing

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Following Robert Redford’s passing, many people shared their appreciation for his work. One tribute that caught attention was from Bob Woodward, the journalist Redford famously played in the 1976 film *All the President’s Men*. The movie told the story of how Woodward and a fellow reporter bravely uncovered the Watergate scandal and held those in power accountable.

Woodward described Redford as a genuinely good and ethical person, and his acting, paired with Dustin Hoffman’s portrayal of Carl Bernstein, motivated many young people to see journalism as a respectable and valuable career.

As a total film buff, I’ve noticed a real trend lately – movies about journalism. And honestly, with trust in the press at a low point thanks to things like fake news and social media bubbles, it feels pretty timely. The latest one, “The Hack,” really dives into the good and the bad sides of being a reporter. It stars David Tennant as Nick Davies, an investigative journalist from The Guardian, and it’s based on the true story of how one anonymous tip led to the uncovering of widespread phone hacking that affected thousands of people. It’s a fascinating – and frankly disturbing – look at what happened.

This new series comes from the talented team behind *Mr Bates vs the Post Office* and boasts a strong creative pedigree, including a script by recent Emmy winner Jack Thorne. With Toby Jones and Robert Carlyle also starring, it promises a compelling story. Like Alan Bates in the previous series, the main character demonstrates remarkable determination, and Jack Thorne doesn’t shy away from portraying both good and bad characters with equal intensity.

It’s uncertain how much media coverage this skillfully made show will get. It probably won’t be heavily promoted as a top pick in weekend newspaper listings, and some people might dismiss it as unoriginal, whether fairly or not.

Recently, investigations have wrapped up and payouts have been made after celebrities had their voicemails hacked over ten years ago. The TV drama *Mr Bates vs the Post Office* sparked widespread public outrage, leading the government to act and begin to right the wrongs suffered by those affected. Now, the creators of *The Hack* are facing questions about their motivations.

Why does this matter? Just like with the Mr Bates scandal, powerful individuals acted wrongly and then used their influence to cover it up. Although some victims received compensation, it couldn’t undo the pain, especially for families like Milly Dowler’s, who were given false hope when her phone was hacked. And there were many other people affected whose stories remain unknown.

Davies’s relentless efforts led to seven police investigations, almost 40 convictions, and the downfall of many powerful people.

Thorne believes self-reflection is crucial for improvement, and this story critically examines the media, the police, and the government – institutions we must hold accountable to safeguard our values. Spence challenges us to consider what our priorities are if we aren’t interested in this kind of accountability.

It’s understandably scary to think about, and difficult to stand up to powerful forces – but that’s precisely why these stories matter. They can inspire us, just like the story of David and Goliath, to face our own challenges and fight for what’s right.

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2025-09-23 03:09