The Hour (2011– )

A behind-the-scenes drama and espionage thriller in Cold War-era England that centers on a journalist, a producer, and an anchorman for an investigative news programme.

Creator:

Abi Morgan

Stars:

Ben Whishaw, Romola Garai, Dominic West

Nominated for 4 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Ben Whishaw	...	Freddie Lyon (12 episodes, 2011-2012)
Romola Garai	...	Bel Rowley (12 episodes, 2011-2012)
Dominic West	...	Hector Madden (12 episodes, 2011-2012)
Anna Chancellor	...	Lix Storm (12 episodes, 2011-2012)
Oona Chaplin	...	Marnie Madden (12 episodes, 2011-2012)
Lisa Greenwood	...	Sissy Cooper (12 episodes, 2011-2012)
Joshua McGuire	...	Isaac Wengrow (11 episodes, 2011-2012)
Julian Rhind-Tutt	...	Angus McCain (11 episodes, 2011-2012)
Paul Chahidi	...	Ron (7 episodes, 2011-2012)
Anton Lesser	...	Clarence Fendley (6 episodes, 2011)
Hannah Tointon	...	Kiki (6 episodes, 2012)
Peter Sullivan	...	Commander Laurence Stern (6 episodes, 2012)
Tom Burke	...	Bill Kendal (6 episodes, 2012)
Filippo Delaunay	...	Camera man (6 episodes, 2011)
Kostas Katsikis	...	Vision Mixer (6 episodes, 2011)
Robert Demeger	...	Malcolm Lyon (5 episodes, 2011)
Adetomiwa Edun	...	Sey Ola (5 episodes, 2011-2012)
Peter Capaldi	...	Randall Brown (5 episodes, 2012)
Vincent Riotta	...	Raphael Cilenti (5 episodes, 2012)
Morgan Watkins	...	Norman Pike (5 episodes, 2012)

Storyline

A behind-the-scenes drama and espionage thriller in Cold War-era England that centers on a journalist, a producer, and an anchorman for an investigative news programme.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2011 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Hornsey Town Hall, The Broadway, Haringey, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kudos Productions Ltd.

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The Wright Stuff: Episode #15.135 (2011)

User Reviews

Fascinating story line, great character building!

The Hour is a great series made from an interesting angle: media in post-War Britain. Since I have a media background, the story line of a BBC news show that is made under influence of the government appeals to me very much.

What I especially like about The Hour are the characters. None of them are either good or bad and their behavior and views seem very realistic. There's no crude division between good or bad which gives the overall story line a layered kind of dynamics: the overall story line as well as the personal drama interested me from the beginning to the end. How I 'grew into' the characters while watching the series reminded me of The Wire. Acting is well done by the way, which pushes the series to a very high level.

This is the first series I saw after seeing the American-made Homeland and it is such a relief to me that the British do not seem to fall for the blunt simplifications of good and bad as portrayed in American drama.

Bravo!