The Hour (2011–2012)

TV ShowEndedDrama, Thriller, Espionage2 seasons, 12 episodes
The Hour posterReview score: 74%

Plot

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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Highest-rated episodes all ranked

  1. 01The Hour S01E06Episode 6S01E06 · 10.0It is now November 1956 and The Hour is about to broadcast live and tensions increase for everyone. Bel wants to see the BBC's commitment to impartiality meaning that they cover both the arguments for and against the war in Egypt. Both McCain and Douglas have other ideas though. Freddie has lined up a mystery guest for the show but there is a chance he might not show up. Hector has been sleeping in the office and there is lots of tension between him and Bel following Marnie's visit. Freddie ends up in Clarence's office and is unsure what to do with the information he is given. After when Lix reveals the full scope of Peter and Tom's Egyptian mission, and the real reason for Ruth's death, Freddie is shocked.
  2. 02The Hour S02E06Episode 6S02E06 · 9.7Bel, Freddie and Hector verge on breaking the biggest corruption expose ever - a house of cards stretching across London's most influential men - but things get complicated when one of them becomes the centre of a tabloid sex scandal. As they battle against high-level cover-up, Freddie's quest for a controversial contributor takes him right into the lion's den.
  3. 03The Hour S01E04Episode 4S01E04 · 9.5It is now October, 1956 and Freddie is celebrating his birthday. The after effects of Tom's death are still being felt in the newsroom. Even though it was said that Tom had suffered a heart attack, MI6 are now a regular presence in the newsroom and it seems that Freddie in particular is being watched. Freddie goes to see Tom's widow, Jane and after realising that that she was the one behind the camera in Ruth's film, Freddie believes that she could hold some important information. Isaac believes that his latest idea for the programme could bring Sissy closer to him.

Episodes by season

Season01Best seasonEpisode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode6Episodes2011Aired 9.0Season avg
  1. S01E01The Hour S01E01Episode 1July 19, 2011 8.3Bel and Freddie, who work as BBC reporters, are given the chance to escape from their boring jobs to run a topical weekly show instead. With
  2. S01E02The Hour S01E02Episode 2July 26, 2011 8.5It is July 1956 and The Hour is struggling as the ratings are down, the reviews are bad and Hector and Freddie are arguing like children. Fr
  3. S01E03The Hour S01E03Episode 3August 2, 2011 9.0It is now September 1956 and Hector's brilliant interview with Mr Hafiz has caused the fortunes of The Hour to pick up.. The team are invite
  4. S01E04The Hour S01E04Episode 4August 9, 2011 9.5It is now October, 1956 and Freddie is celebrating his birthday. The after effects of Tom's death are still being felt in the newsroom. Even
  5. S01E05The Hour S01E05Episode 5August 16, 2011 9.0Public anger against the Suez crisis leads to violence in the streets. Marnie Madden reveals that she has found out about Bel's affair with
  6. S01E06The Hour S01E06Season's bestEpisode 6August 23, 2011 10.0It is now November 1956 and The Hour is about to broadcast live and tensions increase for everyone. Bel wants to see the BBC's commitment to

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

Season02Episode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode6Episodes2012Aired 8.8Season avg
  1. S02E01The Hour S02E01Episode 1November 14, 2012 8.3With Freddie gone, Bel struggles to keep The Hour afloat as the new Head of News arrives.
  2. S02E02The Hour S02E02Episode 2November 21, 2012 8.0Hector's drunken late nights at El Paradis catch up with him when he is arrested on suspicion of beating up Kiki. Bel has a fight on her han
  3. S02E03The Hour S02E03Episode 3November 28, 2012 8.5It is Christmas at Lime Grove and a time for much soul-searching. Kiki has gone missing and Hector's self-destructive behaviour spirals as B
  4. S02E04The Hour S02E04Episode 4December 5, 2012 9.0Freddie and Bel's bond deepens as they make startling discoveries about the extent of Soho club-owner Cilenti's influence. Yet when a contac
  5. S02E05The Hour S02E05Episode 5December 12, 2012 9.3Bel is shaken by news of a source's murder and tries to put a stop to the team's pursuit of organised criminal Cilenti. However, the story i
  6. S02E06The Hour S02E06Season's bestEpisode 6December 13, 2012 9.7Bel, Freddie and Hector verge on breaking the biggest corruption expose ever - a house of cards stretching across London's most influential

Season 2 ranked & reviewed

Castfull cast & details

Anna ChancellorAnna ChancellorAlexis "Lix" StormBen WhishawBen WhishawFreddie LyonDominic WestDominic WestHector MaddenJoshua McGuireJoshua McGuireIsaac WengrowJulian Rhind-TuttJulian Rhind-TuttAngus McCainLisa GreenwoodLisa GreenwoodSissy CooperOona ChaplinOona ChaplinMarnie MaddenRomola GaraiRomola GaraiBel Rowley

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The Hour

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Trailers & Videos

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TrailerTHE HOUR New Series Launch Trailer

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Stack The Hour's full episode-rating history against a rival, on one chart.

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