The Hour

2Entertain and Kudos Film and TV have awarded Helen James Productions the contract to produce two DVD bonus features about the making of BBC2's new thrilling six part drama series, The Hour.

The Hour takes viewers behind the scenes of the launch of a topical news programme in London 1956, and is written and created by Bafta award-winning Abi Morgan (White Girl, Sex Traffic, Brick Lane, Murder).

With a highly competitive, sharp-witted and passionate love triangle at the heart of the series, it's through the lives of enigmatic Bel (Romola Garai) and her rivals, Freddie (Ben Wishaw) and Hector (Dominic West), that viewers will witness the decade on the threshold of change – from the ruthless sexual politics behind the polite social façade of the Fifties to the revelations that redefined the world for a new generation.

Over the six episodes, the interplay and intense ambitions between our rising news team play out against the backdrop of a mysterious murder and Freddie's controversial and dangerous investigation.

Ben Whishaw plays Freddie Lyon, a brilliant and outspoken journalist, whose passion endlessly lands him in trouble. Getting to the truth of a story can be a dangerous and risky business and it's Bel, his contemporary and best friend, who is always there to bail him out. For Freddie, Bel is so much more as well – if only he were brave enough to tell her.

Romola Garai plays Bel Rowley, spirited and ambitious and facing the most exciting and daunting challenge of her life – running The Hour. Can her passion for the truth survive the political pressure the job will bring – and will her friendship with Freddie survive her undeniable attraction to front man Hector?

Dominic West plays Hector Madden, charming, charismatic – a man whose upbringing and education have instilled in him a sense of entitlement and whose glamorous young wife has the family connections to get him the job as front man on The Hour. But, beneath the confident façade, Hector has a lot to prove. Bel provides the challenge – and the spark.

The Hour's supporting cast includes Tim Pigott-Smith and Juliet Stevenson, Anna Chancellor, Julian Rhind-Tutt and Oona Chaplin.

Jane Featherstone, Creative Director and executive producer, Kudos Film and Television, says: "The Hour is a stunning character-driven piece. It's compelling, original and will make irresistible viewing."

The executive producers are Jane Featherstone, Derek Wax and Abi Morgan for Kudos Film and Television and Lucy Richer for the BBC. The producer is Ruth Kenley-Letts (Nativity) and the series will be launched by director Coky Giedroyc (The Nativity, The Virgin Queen).