The Hour (UK): Season 1

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 62 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	Your Score
7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 62 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

BBC-2 | BBC America | BBC Two | Season Premiere Date: July 19, 2011

Starring: Dominic West, Ben Whishaw, Romola Garai

Summary: This British drama is set in the BBC's newsroom during the mid-1950s where journalist Freddie Lyon (Ben Whishaw) and Hector Madden (Dominic West) battle for the affections of a producer, Bel Rowley (Romola Garai), who works on their investigative news program.

Creator: Abi Morgan

Genre(s): Drama

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E6. 1/6
Air Date: August 23, 2011
tbd
S1:E5. 1/5
Air Date: August 16, 2011
tbd
S1:E4. 1/4
Air Date: August 9, 2011

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

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Critic Reviews

100

David Wiegand

Aug 17, 2011

The Hour stands perfectly well on its own merits. It's so good that other shows should start looking to it as something to emulate. Read full review

James Poniewozik

Aug 17, 2011

The BBC's The Hour, the best new show this summer. Read full review

Curt Wagner

Aug 17, 2011

The smartly written series throws a lot of information, historical context, beautiful sets and costumes at viewers early on to create what eventually becomes a first-rate thriller. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Aug 15, 2011

This is the kind of meticulously handsome period piece one would expect to find via the BBC--mostly because it would surely struggle Stateside. Judged by the most bottom-line measurement of all, The Hour is an hour well spent. Read full review

Matthew Gilbert

Aug 17, 2011

It offers amusement and a tad of suspense, but little to ponder over the long run. Read full review

David Hinckley

Aug 17, 2011

No, The Hour is unlikely to remind anyone of "Mad Men." Except that it's superior period drama with a deliberate pace. Read full review

Renee Scolaro Mora

Aug 17, 2011

Freddie's stereotypically hard-hitting reporter's persona is soon tiring and irksome. Still, Freddie isn't so tedious as the show's "villains." Read full review

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User Score

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7.9

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User Reviews

s3ver14n

Aug 29, 2011

Just watched the final episode of the first series and understand it has been commissioned for a second. Excellent work BBC. This is storytelling at it's best; thoughtful, considered and well paced. People have compared it with the excellent Mad Men but the only comparison is the time frameJust watched the final episode of the first series and understand it has been commissioned for a second. Excellent work BBC. This is storytelling at it's best; thoughtful, considered and well paced. People have compared it with the excellent Mad Men but the only comparison is the time frame - this is very different in geography, context and concept. Compare the two and you're missing the point. I can't comment directly on the feel of the BBC at the time (although I understand the BBC was trying to overthrow government control at the time) however overall if definitely captures the era with rising issues such as racism, nationalism and equality at the forefront. An intriguing, if slightly obvious plot towards the end, delivered through superb acting and excellent direction. Can't wait for series 2.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

attachecrime

Aug 21, 2011

Simply excellent. The attention to detail, the acting, the story every single bit comes together in this show. It's rare for me to like a show this much.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Wookie501

Aug 24, 2011

Is it like madmen, yes. Is it as good, probably not as erudite but certainly far and away more gripping. A brilliantly paced wondrously executed show that I would recommend to anyone interested in period dramas, or thrillers. Circling around the events of a nascent BBC program, the titularIs it like madmen, yes. Is it as good, probably not as erudite but certainly far and away more gripping. A brilliantly paced wondrously executed show that I would recommend to anyone interested in period dramas, or thrillers. Circling around the events of a nascent BBC program, the titular hour, the show quickly becomes embroiled in a wondrously written spy novel that will have you on the edge of your seat from end to end.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

aSsh0le

Sep 7, 2011

Very good show, IÂ´ve watched all 6 episodes already and I was a bit disappointed towards the end, but overall the acting is good, the script is satisfying, and i liked it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarcDoyle

Aug 18, 2011

I've only seen the first episode, but I'm absolutely going to keep watching. The cast is excellent (Ben Winshaw & Dominic West in particular), but it's the sense of impending danger that keeps thing especially intriguing. I'm fired up to see the rest. It's a perfect stopgap before the fallI've only seen the first episode, but I'm absolutely going to keep watching. The cast is excellent (Ben Winshaw & Dominic West in particular), but it's the sense of impending danger that keeps thing especially intriguing. I'm fired up to see the rest. It's a perfect stopgap before the fall season begins.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

dante_finn

Dec 5, 2012

dishy period drama

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

dsrs

Aug 24, 2011

Over-hyped, but thankfully not yet over here [in the USA]. All the worst features of the BBC committee-style, commissar-style production are on view here. Some great actors, appalling script and no feel whatsoever for the ers. Almost every scene is drowned in anachronistic politicalOver-hyped, but thankfully not yet over here [in the USA]. All the worst features of the BBC committee-style, commissar-style production are on view here. Some great actors, appalling script and no feel whatsoever for the ers. Almost every scene is drowned in anachronistic political correctness...race, women, health issue. Some Brit critics have complained but with the BBc few dare to challenge the monopoly. They have rallied around the flag to praise this but it does not stand up, especially to the trite comparisons to Mad Men.… Expand

2 of 11 users found this helpful29

SEE ALL 12 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

80

Series Overview
Season 2

79
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: November 14, 2012
Season 1

81
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: July 19, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E6. 1/6
  Air Date: August 23, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E5. 1/5
  Air Date: August 16, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E4. 1/4
  Air Date: August 9, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E3. 1/3
  Air Date: August 2, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E2. 1/2
  Air Date: July 26, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E1. 1/1
  Air Date: July 19, 2011