The Hour

In June 1956, BBC reporters and best friends Freddie Lyon and Bel Rowley strive to be promoted to a new current affairs program. While Bel coaches Freddie to restrain himself for the interview, an old friend puts Freddie onto a story that could thrust him into the middle of a dangerous conspiracy.

The Hour begins its first few weeks of broadcast, but Hector flounders on air. While Freddie clashes with Hector, he also continues to investigate the murder of Peter Darrall and the apparent suicide of Ruth Elms. Then Egypt"s President Nasser seizes the Suez Canal, sending the newsroom into a frenzy.

Freddie and Bel join Hector"s shooting party in the country for the weekend, while Isaac keeps an eye on Mr. Kish back at the studio. As Freddie learns more information about Ruth"s life, Hector and Bel indulge in their flirtation.

Freddie pays a visit to Kish"s widow and grows convinced that he"s being followed. With Britain on the brink of war with Egypt over the Suez, the staff of The Hour—led by a newly confident Hector—are also breaking the story of the Hungarian uprising, but Freddie is nowhere to be found.

The BBC"s impartiality comes under threat when the government wants The Hour to tout the Conservative party"s line about Egypt. As Hector and Freddie hit the streets to cover public protests against the war, Bel receives a visit from Marnie at the office. Later, Hector has a revealing chat with McCain.

The newsroom strategizes about how to address the Suez crisis, in spite of the gag rule on covering topics up for Parliamentary debate. Clarence urges Freddie to drop his Elms investigation, but Freddie has a surprise interview up his sleeve that will make for a highly controversial episode.