The series was initially reported under the working title 'Mandrake' during production.

The seven-part series is written by BAFTA-winning screenwriter Jack Thorne along with Annalisa Dinnella, and directed by Lewis Arnold.

The show was commissioned jointly by British streamer ITVX and Australian streamer Stan, and produced by ITV Studios with AC Chapter One and One Shoe Films.

David Tennant, who stars as journalist Nick Davies, also serves as one of the executive producers of the series.

Filming took place in Hemel Hempstead, Muswell Hill and Kilburn in London during February and March 2024.

The cast features an extensive roster of real-life figures played by well-known actors, including Steve Pemberton as Rupert Murdoch, Dougray Scott as Gordon Brown, and Robert Carlyle as DCS Dave Cook, with the named cast list running for seven pages on the press release.

The opening episode includes brief, non-speaking cameo appearances from real celebrities Harry Hill, Konnie Huq, Gabby Logan and Jonathan Ross.

Episode 3 features a cameo appearance from Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's former strategist and advisor, playing himself.

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series held a 71% approval rating based on 11 critic reviews, with reviews ranging from five-star praise in the i Paper to a two-star critique in The Guardian over Tennant's fourth-wall-breaking narration.