--- title: "The Hour: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/the-hour/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/the-hour" critics_score: 71 critics_reviews: 7 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Hour (2011): what the critics said Critics' score 71 from 7 reviews: 5 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like The Hour, and the praise gathers in the same places. The 1950s BBC newsroom setting is admired almost everywhere, both for its period detail and for the premise it gives the writers. The performances are the other constant, with Ben Whishaw and Romola Garai singled out most often, Dominic West close behind, and Julian Rhind-Tutt noted among the supporting cast. Several reviews find the dialogue smart and the mix of newsroom drama and conspiracy thriller engaging enough to hook them. The reservations are about pace and script. Critics describe the opening as slow and deliberate, holding plot back longer than it needs to, and more than one finds the writing uneven and the spy material predictable. The spread is narrow: nobody is negative, and the American reviews run warmer than the British ones. The Guardian is the most guarded, calling the first episode a mix of parts that does not yet feel fully formed or gripping. ## The Hollywood Reporter — Tim Goodman Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 17 August 2011. The series is an absorbing showcase for British period drama strengths, with a compelling spy saga and nuanced personal relationships among the journalists. The critic singles out the smart dialogue, exceptional performances (especially Whishaw and Garai), and attractive 1950s design. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/hour-tv-review-224413/) ## The AV Club — Emily St. James Rating B+. 18 August 2011. The pilot excels in its central character dynamics and sharp 1950s London aesthetic, evoking Broadcast News and Mad Men while standing on its own. It offers promise through strong performances and visual style despite some predictable spy elements and clunky moments. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-hour-pilot-1798169294) ## Variety — Brian Lowry Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 13 August 2011. An engrossing if slow-grinding mystery/soap that proves addictive, with smart writing, terrific looks and strong casting in its 1950s TV newsroom setting. The deliberate pace allows relationship development but leaves the audience in the dark on plot points for too long. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2011/tv/reviews/the-hour-1117945808/) ## The Times — Andrew Billen Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 27 July 2011. The drama is the tale of three newsroom idiots with a clunky script, but the strong premise of a 1950s BBC current affairs show outweighs the uncertain execution and adolescent elements. The period detail enchants and the supporting cast is strong. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/last-nights-tv-the-hour-fjz2s9qcbcn) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 19 July 2011. The series is a hotchpotch of newsroom drama, conspiracy thriller and period detail that doesn't yet feel fully formed or gripping after the first episode. It has intrigue and strong supporting performances, particularly Julian Rhind-Tutt, to whet the appetite despite a slow start. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/jul/19/tv-review-the-hour) ## Den of Geek — Ryan Lambie Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 18 July 2011. The series opener delivers solid period detail and engaging lead performances from Ben Whishaw, Romola Garai and Dominic West in a mix of newsroom drama and conspiracy thriller. The script is uneven with some obvious dialogue, but it provides enough intrigue in its love triangle and mystery to hook viewers. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-hour-episode-1-review/) ## Digital Spy — Alex Fletcher Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 20 July 2011. The premiere is not a Mad Men equivalent but succeeds as a newsroom drama blending conspiracy and murder mystery elements with strong character work, especially Romola Garai's Bel and her chemistry with Dominic West's Hector. Freddie's petulant arc and the loose plot connections provide intrigue for future episodes despite some familiar tropes. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a330643/the-hour-why-its-not-the-uks-answer-to-mad-men/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/the-hour.md