![ITV STUDIOS AND STAN For ITV ANND ITVX THE HACK EPISODE 1 Pictured: DAVID TENNANT as Nick Davies. This photograph is (C) ITV STUDIOS and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: patrick.smith@itv.com](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/SEI_267534846-4129.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Viewers are hailing ITV’s The Hack for its ‘brave’ and ‘original’ take on the phone hacking scandal.
The seven-part series, written by Adolescence co-writer Jack Thorne, weaves between two real-life stories from 2002 and 2012.
The first follows investigative journalist Nick Davies (David Tennant), who uncovered evidence of phone hacking at the News of the World.
The second story running parallel to the first then follows the invesitgation by ex-Met Police Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Cook (Robert Carlyle) into an unsolved murder.
However, throughout the first episode which aired on Wednesday night, viewers were struck by Tennant’s character breaking the fourth wall and narrating moments of the series.
Writing on X, @roscoeleebarnes said: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever watched a TV drama told like this before. Not sure how I feel about it #TheHack.’
![ITV STUDIOS AND STAN For ITV ANND ITVX THE HACK EPISODE 1 Pictured: TOBY JONES as Alan Rusdridger. This photograph is (C) ITV STUDIOS and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: patrick.smith@itv.com](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/SEI_267534864-75b5.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
![ITV STUDIOS AND STAN For ITV ANND ITVX THE HACK EPISODE 1 Pictured: DAVID TENNANT as Nick Davies. This photograph is (C) ITV STUDIOS and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: patrick.smith@itv.com](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/SEI_267534849-545b.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
@bigrobnocape added: ‘I like the breaking of the ‘4th wall’. It draws the viewer in to feel part of the story.’
@Laineygills also wrote: ‘I think this is brilliantly done. Hooked! #TheHack’
@fashion_mommyWM echoed this comments, writing: ‘Enjoying The Hack, great acting and like the breaking of the 4th Wall. #TheHack’
Others were also intrigued by the phone hacking scandal, with @rebecca_ryder21 commenting: ‘When a story has been obtained by secret, sly and destructive methods. Endangering the truth, by hacking, burgling or bribery. That is not the action of someone with the general public at its interest, but the action of bullies. @fashion_mommyWM.’
Meanwhile, several other users highlighted the show’s stellar cast, which includes Mr Bates vs the Post Office star Toby Jones.
![ITV STUDIOS AND STAN For ITV ANND ITVX THE HACK EPISODE 1 Pictured: DAVID TENNANT as Nick Davies,TOBY JONES as Alan Rusdridger and NADIA ALBINA as Gill Phillips. This photograph is (C) ITV STUDIOS and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: patrick.smith@itv.com](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/SEI_267534857-aa4c.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Not all viewers were as equally pleased by Tennant talking to the camera, with some actually arguing that it confused the story slightly.
@seanymc77 wrote: ‘Not sure about this breaking the 4th wall, is it necessary?’
@rebecca_ryder21 also said: ‘I enjoyed #TheHack, but I do think it went in too deep, too fast, too quickly. Lots of friends and family switched off because they got confused or didn’t understand what was going on.’
A synopsis for the series reads: ‘DCS Dave Cook is assigned to investigate the unsolved murder of private detective Daniel Morgan, the most investigated homicide in the history of the Metropolitan Police.
‘As he is drawn deeper into the case, Dave finds himself under surveillance by the News of the World. When his private and work lives are put under pressure, Dave begins to pursue the case ruthlessly and takes up matters with Rebekah Wade, the News of the World’s powerful editor.’
Every episode of The Hack is available to watch on ITVX.
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