David Tennant and acclaimed writer Jack Thorne have delivered a searing indictment of the 2017 WannaCry cyberattack that brought the National Health Service to its knees, in ITV's powerful new drama, 'The Hack'. The star and creator confess they feel a profound responsibility to amplify a crisis they believe was dangerously under-reported at the time.
'We were all guilty,' Tennant states with palpable fervour, 'of not shouting about this earlier. This wasn't just an IT failure; it was a direct attack on the most vulnerable in our society, and it laid bare the fragility of the institution we hold most dear.'
A Drama Born from Real-Life Crisis
Penned by Bafta-winner Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials, Help), the drama meticulously reconstructs the chaos of May 2017. The ransomware attack, which exploited outdated Windows systems, infected computers worldwide, but its impact on the NHS was uniquely catastrophic. Appointments were cancelled, ambulances diverted, and critical patient records were held hostage.
'The human cost was staggering,' Thorne explains. 'We spoke to consultants who were making life-or-death decisions without access to scans, to nurses manually writing up notes. This was a week where the NHS was pushed to the brink, operating on pure, frayed adrenaline and the unwavering dedication of its staff.'
Tennant's Return to Riveting Television
David Tennant takes on the role of a dedicated NHS manager thrust into the heart of the storm, fighting against time and a faceless enemy to protect his hospital. The role marks a compelling return to hard-hitting British television for the actor, who is no stranger to portraying characters in crisis.
The production aimed for authenticity, working closely with NHS professionals who lived through the attack. This collaboration ensures the drama doesn't just focus on the digital threat but shines a light on the extraordinary resilience and courage displayed by hospital teams across the country.
An Urgent Warning for the Future
Beyond being a tense thriller, 'The Hack' serves as a stark warning. Both Tennant and Thorne hope the drama will ignite a crucial conversation about cybersecurity funding and the protection of essential public services.
'This is not a historical piece,' Thorne asserts. 'The vulnerabilities are still there. This drama asks the question: have we learned our lesson, or are we waiting for it to happen again?'
'The Hack' is more than a television programme; it is a long-overdue tribute to the NHS staff who battled through the crisis and a urgent plea to safeguard our national health service from the evolving threats of the digital age.
