June 1956. BBC reporters and soulmates Bel Rowley and Freddie Lyon spot their opportunity to be a part of a brand new current affairs programme at Lime Grove Studios. But as Freddie's interview looms, a chance meeting with an old friend finds him pursuing a new story and thrusts him deep into the middle of a dark and dangerous conspiracy.

The Hour is struggling; the ratings are down, the reviews are terrible and Hector and Freddie are bickering like children. As events escalate in Suez Bel knows their only hope is to pull off a brave interview with an Egyptian diplomat but is Hector up to the challenge? Meanwhile Freddie discovers a mysterious code which may well provide a clue to Ruth's death.

A weekend invite to a shooting party at Hector's in-laws gives Freddie an opportunity to quiz Adam Le Ray on his relationship with Ruth, whilst Hector struggles with his ailing marriage and his growing feelings for Bel. At the office suspicion about Tom Kish is mounting and Isaac's on the case.

Its 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.

The war in Suez has the country divided and McCain steps up his pressure on The Hour to tow a pro-government line but with a huge anti-war protest gathering in London Freddie has other ideas. Meanwhile pressure mounts on Bel and Hector when news of their affair gets out and Lix helps Freddie with an important lead.

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.