The Hour 2

Upping the ante on the first season, this superb British series about a BBC news show set during the 1950s stars Romola Garai as ambitious and dedicated producer Bel Rowley, Ben Whishaw as fearless (and somewhat reckless) investigative reporter Freddie Lyon, and Dominic West as on-camera host Hector Madden, a high-living celebrity whose ego and womanizing are a cover for his self-doubt. Newsworthy this season are rumblings of a government conspiracy behind the decision to put U.S. nuclear missiles on British soil; a scandal that hits a member of the team; and a new boss in the form of Randall Brown (Peter Capaldi), a seemingly dour, old-school veteran who arrives as head of news and turns out to be sharper and more dedicated than any of them initially realize. The writing is excellent, offering interesting personal stories set against the late ‘50s culture—a time of more pronounced racism and sexism—while exploring a dark tale of political corruption and blackmail wrapped up in Cold War anxiety. Compiling all six 2012 episodes, extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette. Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)