LONDON — Dominic West, Romola Garai and Ben Whishaw will star in the BBC’s upcoming Kudos-produced Cold War espionage drama The Hour, which will also air on BBC America.
Scripted by BAFTA Award-Winning writer Abi Morgan and from the same stable as Spooks, Ashes to Ashes and Life on Mars, The Hour promises to be “an edge of your seat spy thriller,” according to Kudos, which will produce alongside the BBC and BBC America.
The drama is set behind the scenes in the BBC’s newsroom in 1956 and follows a love triangle between youthful producer Bel Rowley (Garai) anchorman Hector Madden (West) and renegade reporter Freddie Lyon (Whishaw). The three become caught up in the claustrophobic world of post-war espionage thriller as well as ever more complex personal relationships.
“I’m very proud that BBC America is co-producing The Hour, a drama with complex storytelling and a range of compelling characters,” said Perry Simon, general manager, channels, BBC America. “It’s another example of BBC America’s commitment to bringing the highest quality British drama to American audiences.”
The drama has been hailed as Britain’s answer to Mad Men with its exploration of the ruthless sexual politics behind the unruffled social facade of 1956 as well as the intense workplace ambitions and competition.
