The Hour

9:00pm – Thursday, January 31 on ABC1

When a source’s body is found in a Soho backstreet, a shaken Bel commands the team halt altogether in their pursuit of the dangerous Cilenti. But when she begs Freddie not to risk his life for the sake of glory, he’s more determined than ever due to a new lead: a mystery company ‘Castlecore’ is investing in Cilenti’s company set to make money from nuclear bases. Freddie’s determined to find who they are.

When Randall challenges McCain about his part in Cilenti’s manipulation of the previous week’s show, his honourable treatment of McCain’s blackmail predicament leads McCain to offer help – he hints that a visit to El Paradis that evening might just throw light on Castlecore…

Freddie visits Laurie, leaving the corrupt Commander planning his own stand against Cilenti. Meanwhile, Hector wows executives in a meeting with ITV and is tempted by the prospect of being lauded with Marnie as ITV’s golden couple – will he leave The Hour for its rivals.

Randall and Lix are drawn together by a setback in their search for their daughter. Meanwhile, Hector offers Bel insight into her falling out with Freddie, and when Freddie finally confronts Bel about his letter from America she’s left reeling by his new-found boldness.

That evening, Freddie and Hector’s sting at El Paradis reveals a startling answer to what Castlecore is. But proceedings are interrupted by an unexpected visitor who causes controversial front-page chaos… Has Freddie caused a situation he might live to regret?

9:00pm – Thursday, January 24 on ABC1

In episode 4, Bel and Freddie pitch to expose Cilenti’s vice network and police collusion over the anti-nuclear policy story planned for tomorrow’s show. Randall sees the scoop’s potential, but challenges them to find sources to prove their story is ready. Heeding this, Bel arranges a meeting with showgirl Rosa-Maria, who puts herself in mortal danger in order to reveal what is behind Cilenti’s hold over London’s most influential men… It looks like the story just got a whole lot juicier.

Bel’s relationship with Bill deepens, much to the chagrin of Freddie, whose home life with Camille suffers under his dedication to the story. Hector’s marriage is given hope by a long overdue moment of honesty.

Randall and Lix’s bond reignites over new information regarding their long-lost secret… Cracks form in the team as Freddie and Bel refuse to protect Hector’s ex-comrade, corrupt officer Laurie, in their pursuit of the story. When a conspiratorial McCain offers Hector an exclusive interview that could pip any other story to the top spot, Hector must choose whether to forsake the team’s story to protect the man who saved his life.

Meanwhile, photos of the NATO summit reveal a familiar face to Freddie and further digging reveals that the Cilenti story and nuclear story might not be as far apart as previously thought – could Cilenti’s influence go nuclear? If so, Bel and Freddie have cracked the biggest story of the year. But as bad news arrives, they’re left asking at what cost to their sources and relationships?

9:00pm – Thursday, January 17 on ABC1

Bel and Freddie are determined to find out who beat up Kiki, but dredging up his arrest angers Hector, whose drinking is starting to spiral.

At home he and Marnie live as strangers, her career on the rise while his seems increasingly fragile.

Bel announces that this week The Hour will be covering the controversial Wolfenden Report, but she finds it unusually difficult to get contributors. Then Rosa-Maria nervously appears with the news that Kiki is missing – can they help find her? Bel and Freddie need no encouragement and a despairing Hector calls Laurie for support, unaware he’s discussing it with the very man who beat her.

At a Christmas party Laurie warns the team to steer clear of the Kiki story, but Freddie is certain he’s getting closer to the truth. Bel finally has some success with Wolfenden when Bill provides her with a key contact – and some unexpected romance. However, the Christmas cheer is short lived as a confrontation with McCain prompts Hector into making a drunken spectacle. It’s left to Laurie to take him home and, in a liquored haze a memory stirs for Hector which starts to throw his friend’s dependable character into question.

As Freddie and Bel pull together in their search for Kiki a deeper connection grows between them, which doesn’t go unnoticed by Camille. The net is closing in on Laurie, but has Hector become too selfdestructive to be able to handle the situation?

9:00pm – Thursday, January 10 on ABC1

Hector and Marnie host a gathering of friends at their apartment. Racial tension is on the rise across London, a response to the influx of immigrants from the Commonwealth who bring new culture to Britain’s streets, but also division. It’s a subject close to Freddie’s heart and provokes much discussion at the party, but is interrupted when two policemen arrive at the door to arrest Hector on suspicion of beating up Kiki. Hector denies the allegations but is taken away.

The next day Hector’s absence has not gone unnoticed by Randall, and Bel has a tough job to try and keep Hector’s arrest a secret from him. Freddie complicates matters further when he decides to hold a controversial interview with a fascist named Trevor on the same day as a visit from members of the board.

Still in jail, Hector comes to question whether he’s strayed too far from his career and marriage. Can he claw the situation back, or is this one allegation, which he can’t charm his way out of?

9:00pm – Thursday, January 3 on ABC1

November 1957. A year has passed since The Hour was unceremoniously taken off air, and much has changed. Freddie (Ben Whishaw) has been fired and gone travelling, while Bel (Romola Garai) stayed to try to keep The Hour afloat. Enter new Head of News, Randall Brown (Peter Capaldi) – all eyes are on him as a force for change.

Hector (Dominic West) has become a national celebrity and – ignoring his marital problems – is drawn to the seductive glamour of Soho nightclub El Paradis. El Paradis is run by Raphael Cilenti (Vincent Riotta), charming but ruthless. His lead showgirl is Kiki Delaine (Hannah Tointon) – beautiful, talented and utterly beguiling. Hector finds her hard to resist.

In the newsroom, nuclear hysteria is growing around the Soviet launch of Sputnik 2. During a heated team meeting, Freddie appears – he’s Randall’s new addition, designed to stir up the team. Bel feels undermined because she wasn’t told of his return, but is also pleased to have back the friend she has missed. Hector is also angry when he discovers that Freddie will be co-host of The Hour. And it seems foreign reporter Lix (Anna Chancellor) and Randall have a shared past…

Despite the friction, the old team are reunited. Bel harnesses Freddie’s maverick enthusiasm to cover a crime story and, when Hector brings them an unexpected tip off, the trio find themselves with a potential scoop which could outdo new ITV rival program, Uncovered.

8:30pm – Monday, December 19 on ABC1

The final episode of this lavish thriller set in the world of television journalism in ’50s Britain, from the BAFTA Award-winning writer Abi Morgan and starring an internationally acclaimed cast.

The Hour is about to go live and there are tensions for all as they prepare to defy government instruction and deliver a controversial episode on the crisis in Suez. Freddie finally learns what happened to Ruth, and Hector and Bel come to a decision on their affair.

8:30pm – Monday, December 5 on ABC1

A lavish thriller set in the world of television journalism in ’50s Britain, from the BAFTA Award-winning writer Abi Morgan and starring an internationally acclaimed cast.

It’s Freddie’s birthday and the effects of Tom’s death are still being felt around the newsroom. Two huge news stories are breaking but Freddie’s disappeared and it’s a newly confident Hector who’s leading the charge. Meanwhile, Bel and Hector’s affair gathers steam, and Isaac’s got his eye on Sissy.

8:30pm – Monday, December 5 on ABC1

A lavish thriller set in the world of television journalism in ’50s Britain, from the BAFTA Award-winning writer Abi Morgan and starring an internationally acclaimed cast.

It’s Freddie’s birthday and the effects of Tom’s death are still being felt around the newsroom. Two huge news stories are breaking but Freddie’s disappeared and it’s a newly confident Hector who’s leading the charge. Meanwhile, Bel and Hector’s affair gathers steam, and Isaac’s got his eye on Sissy.

8:30pm – Monday, November 21 on ABC1

A lavish thriller set at the BBC in 1950s Britain, from the BAFTA Awardwinning writer Abi Morgan and starring an internationally acclaimed cast.

June, 1956. At Alexandra Palace, reporters and best friends Bel Rowley and Freddie Lyon reach the end of another long day working on the BBC newsreels. Both yearn for bigger stories and they may be about to get the break they need – on a new weekly current affairs program, The Hour.

Reporting from the engagement party of a young debutante, Freddie recognises his childhood friend, Ruth. He finds himself drawn into a murky world of subterfuge, intimidation and political scheming. It’s a story that will lead him from a suspicious murder and a coded message, into the private dealings of the ruling elite and a conspiracy with the potential to shatter the society around him.

At The Hour, Freddie obtains the freedom he needs to pursue the story. But it’s not all smooth sailing.

Anchorman Hector Madden is entitled and self assured; his immediate spark with Bel creates friction with Freddie. Also on the newly-formed team is seasoned war reporter Lix Storm, mild-mannered assistant Isaac Wengrow and young but resourceful secretary Sissy Cooper.

With the looming crisis in Suez, the team of The Hour soon find themselves at the heart of a fierce political struggle between the government and the BBC which will dominate their decisions and test their resolve.

Episodes 1 and 2 will air as a special movie-length compilation.

The Celebrity Apprentice, Nine, 7pm
Grand Final. The final challenge continues, and after weeks of avoiding elimination in the boardroom, the first-ever celebrity apprentice is announced – taking home $100,000 for their favourite charity.

The X Factor, Seven, 7.30pm
Top three perform. The end is near and competition is fierce as our final three perform duets with the biggest stars. Who will perform with Kylie Minogue, The Fray and Salt-N-Pepper? It’s a show not to be missed.

The Hour, ABC1, 8.30pm
A lavish thriller set in the world of television journalism in 1950s Britain.

The Big Bang Theory, Nine, 8.30-ish (after The Celebrity Apprentice)
Final new episode until 2012. The Ornithophobia Diffusion. Leonard and Penny attempt to hang out alone; and Sheldon tries to overcome his fear of birds.

The Mentalist, Nine, 9.30 or so…
Pink Tops. Final new episode until 2012. An undercover narcotics cop is murdered, and the team retraces her investigation to solve the case.

Kyle and Jackie O’s night with the Stars, Seven, 9.30pm
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O bring their unique, fun and often controversial style to TV, in their new chat-variety special. Direct from LA, Guests share their intimate and humorous stories with the duo.

Sons of Anarchy, showcase, 8.30pm AEDT
Return. Season Four sees Jax, Clay, and the rest of the incarcerated Sons released from prison on probation, returning to Charming to find that several changes have occurred in their 14-month absence. Jacob Hale Jr is now the town’s mayor, and is moving ahead with his plans to gentrify Charming for his own financial benefit, and with Unser’s health deteriorating, the town is under the jurisdiction of the San Joaquin Sheriff’s Department, and has a new, formidable top cop (Lieutenant Eli Roosevelt) in charge. Tara has given birth to Jax’s second son (Thomas). What they don’t know is that a joint government task force has set up shop with an eye towards bringing down the outlaw MC once and for all.