How to watch ‘The Hack’ online for FREE — stream the phone hacking scandal dramatization from anywhere
By Aatif Sulleyman
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Entertainment
How to watch ‘The Hack’ online for FREE — stream the phone hacking scandal dramatization from anywhere
Aatif Sulleyman
23 September 2025
A jaw-dropping scandal that exposed the sordid relationship between money and power
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(Image credit: ITV)
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Need to Know
Starring David Tennant and Robert Carlyle, “The Hack” blows the lid on a network of corruption that traced all the way to 10 Downing Street via the highest offices of Parliament and the Metropolitan Police. Rupert Murdoch (played here by Steve Pemberton), David Cameron, Cressida Dick and Keir Starmer were pulled into the orbit of an extraordinary scandal that for all of its murky complexities, neatly captures the grubby relationship between money and power.
Here’s how to watch “The Hack” online from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for free.
‘The Hack’ — Dates, time and TV channel
“The Hack” premieres on Wednesday, September 24 in the U.K. and Australia.
• WATCH FREE — ITVX (U.K.)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk-free
The seven-part drama, produced by the same team behind the stirring “Mr Bates vs The Post Office”, picks up in 2002, with Guardian journalist Nick Davies (Tennant) receiving a tip-off about phone hacking at the News of the World, and DCS Dave Cook (Carlyle) setting to work on the unsolved 1987 murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan, who was found dead in a pub car park with an axe in his head.
When Dave subsequently becomes a target of surveillance, he discovers a chain of command rising from the Morgan murder suspects to the private investigators assigned to spy on him to the Met and News of the World reporters and editors. The scope of the scandal really is jaw-dropping.
A key cog was Morgan’s business partner Jonathan Rees, who earned six-figure sums from the News of the World under Rebekah Wade and Andy Coulson. Another was DS Sid Fillery, who was assigned the Morgan case despite having moonlighted for him. Fillery would even go on to replace Morgan as Rees’ new business partner.
Read on as we explain how to watch “The Hack” online from anywhere, including free options.
How to watch ‘The Hack’ for free in the U.K.
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
“The Hack” premieres at 9 p.m. BST on Wednesday, September 24 on ITV1 in the U.K.. Episodes air in the same slot weekly.
All seven episodes will also be available to stream live and on demand on ITVX for free. Just note that you need a valid TV license to stream content live.
Outside of the U.K. when it’s on? Use a VPN to get around the geo-restrictions that will prevent ITVX from working. Scroll down for more information and instructions.
How to watch ‘The Hack’ from abroad
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), “The Hack” should be available to Brits no matter where they are. The software allows your devices to appear as if they’re back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. Our favorite is NordVPN — and you can find out why in our NordVPN review.
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Use Nord to unblock ITVX and watch “The Hack” online with our exclusive deal.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we’ve said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you’re in the U.S. and want to view a British service, you’d select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and watch the show. Head to ITVX to watch “The Hack” for free.
Can I watch ‘The Hack’ in the U.S.?
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Unfortunately, “The Hack” isn’t airing in the U.S. at the time of writing.
If you’re a Brit currently in the U.S., you can catch the show for free by using a VPN, such as NordVPN.
Can I watch ‘The Hack’ in Canada?
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
There’s no word on whether or not “The Hack” will air in Canada either.
If you’re in the Great White North for work or on vacation from the U.K., you can catch the TV series for free by using a VPN, such as NordVPN.
How to watch ‘The Hack’ in Australia
(Image credit: Shutterstock)
“The Hack” premieres on Stan on Wednesday, September 24 in Australia too. Stan’s subscription plans range from $12 to $22 per month.
Remember, Brits visiting Oz can watch “The Hack” for free by using a VPN.
‘The Hack’ Need to Know
‘The Hack’ trailer
The Hack – Coming soon to ITV1 & ITVX – YouTube
‘The Hack’ cast
David Tennant — Nick Davies
Toby Jones — Alan Rusbridger
Robert Carlyle — DCS Dave Cook
Steve Pemberton — Rupert Murdoch
Cara Theobold — Amelia Hill
Eve Myles — Jacqui Hames
Darren Charman — George Osborne
Kiana K. — Shami Chakrabarthy
Elisabeth Hopper — Caroline Davies
Danusia Samal — Keima Payton
Jade Harrison — Julie Anne Cleveland
Nicola Stephenson — Cynthia Edmonds
Daniel Ryan — Tom Watson
Jay Simpson — Glenn Vian
Patrick Baladi — John Whittingdale
Alec Newman — John Mullin
Steven Waddington — Mick Sullivan
Paul Kaye — Gary Eaton
Lisa Dillon — Clare Rewcastle Brown
Rose Leslie
Dougray Scott
Adrian Lester
Katherine Kelly
Kevin Doyle
Neil Maskell
Lara Pulver
Lee Ingleby
Pip Torrens
Lisa McGrillis
Sean Pertwee
Robert Bathurst
Richard Pepple
Nadia Albina
Charlie Brooks
‘The Hack’ episode guide
Episode 1: Investigative journalist Nick Davies receives an anonymous tip off about phone hacking at the News of the World. As he follows the trail, he discovers damning evidence that proves that phone hacking at the paper was not the work of ‘one rogue reporter’, as has been claimed for years but was, in fact, endemic. Nick and his long-time editor and friend Alan Rusbridger must now decide to risk their careers and their newspaper to go up against one of the most powerful media organisations in the world.
Episode 2: In 2002, DCS Dave Cook is assigned to investigate the unsolved murder of private detective Daniel Morgan — the most investigated homicide in the history of the Met. As he’s drawn deeper into the case, Dave finds himself under surveillance by The News of the World and learns they are business associates of some of those suspected to be involved with the murder. The investigation and the resulting pressure awakens recent traumas and puts pressure on his home life and marriage. With his private and work life now under pressure, Dave begins to pursue the case ruthlessly and attempts to turn the tables on the suspects. As the investigation runs into set-backs, Dave takes up matters with the News of the World’s powerful editor, Rebekah Wade.
Episode 3: With the story now in the open, News International fight back and threaten Nick and Alan with a smear story. As Nick leaps to his editor’s defence, a new clue surfaces that could further prove phone hacking by senior Murdoch editors. He teams up with lawyer Charlotte Harris to persuade her clients to take legal action that could get more evidence disclosed in court. Meanwhile, Nick reaches out to his old friend, DCS David Cook, and attempts to secure further disclosures from the Metropolitan Police. As he does, he uncovers the cosy relationship between the tabloid press and Scotland Yard.
Episode 4: DCS Dave Cook is dragged back into another re-investigation of Daniel Morgan’s murder, after new intelligence comes to light. The reinvestigation forces Dave to work with an unlikely ally from within the tabloids, The Sun journalist Mike Sullivan, whose articles bring forward another new lead: a career criminal named Gary Eaton who claims to know who planned the murder. But as the caseload increases and the challenges of handling the unstable Eaton mount, Dave’s marriage becomes strained, his health suffers, and he believes he might once again be under surveillance. Under such extreme pressure, Dave pushes further to get the case across the line.
Episode 5: With Andy Coulson now in Downing Street, Nick and Alan team up with the New York Times in an effort to make the hacking scandal catch fire. As new leads are uncovered, Nick and Charlotte work together to find hacking victims who might be brave enough to take on the Murdoch press. Meanwhile, Dave is challenged in the witness box at the Morgan murder trial over his handling of supergrass witnesses. With the case at risk, Dave takes new measures to help Nick in his quest to expose wrongdoing at the News of the World.
Episode 6: As the hacking scandal slowly builds momentum, Nick meets with Dave’s new ally, Gordon Brown, who persuades him that there is still work to be done. He teams up with fellow Guardian journalist, Amelia Hill, who has a source within the Met’s new hacking investigation. Meanwhile, a tip-off from Charlotte Harris leads Nick to wonder if hacking was far more egregious than just celebrities and politicians. The shocking information he discovers next has the potential to blow the hacking scandal wide open.
Episode 7: With the Leveson inquiry into press standards and ethics finally underway, and Rupert Murdoch set to appear before a parliamentary Select Committee, Nick is hopeful for proper accountability and change within Fleet Street. Before long, a pushback begins, as Alan’s home is potentially compromised, Amelia is threatened with prosecution over her source, and Dave finds himself under investigation from his former employers. With the Leveson Inquiry more important than ever, Jacqui prepares to give evidence on the human cost of hacking, while Nick delivers a rallying call to arms for open, public-interest journalism.
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Aatif Sulleyman
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Aatif is a freelance journalist and copywriter based in the UK. He’s written about technology, sport and politics for a wide range of publications including TechRadar, What Hi-Fi?, The Independent, Trusted Reviews, and Newsweek. These days, he focuses mainly on streaming at Future, an arrangement that combines two of his greatest passions: live TV and penny-pinching. When he’s not attending a top-flight English soccer match, you can find him perfecting his table tennis skills.
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