Series two
The second series takes place in 1957. A new Head of BBC News, Randall Brown (Peter Capaldi) has taken over, to whom Bel must report while attempting to prevent the programme's now famous and increasingly dissolute presenter Hector Madden from defecting to rival ITV. Freddie, having spent time in France and married a French woman, Camille, is taken back as a co-presenter to the fury of Hector. In trying to hold on to Hector, Bel becomes involved with the ITV magazine producer Bill Kendall. Two big issues dominate the series and join together: vice in London's Soho and the nuclear race.
Despite marital problems, Hector frequents a Soho nightclub run by Raphael Cilenti, El Paradis, whose leading dancer is Kiki Delaine. During a party hosted by Hector and his wife Marnie at their apartment, two policemen arrive to arrest Hector on suspicion of beating up Kiki, which Hector denies. Marnie leaves Hector at the police station and spends the night alone before auditioning for a cookery show. She finally goes to bring him home, but is now determined not to endure his extra-marital affairs, telling him their marriage is now for appearances only. Freddie and Bel pursue the story about the attack on Kiki.
Racial tension is on the rise across London, following the arrival of Commonwealth immigrants, and Freddie is keen to feature the issue. He decides to interview a fascist, Trevor, on the same day that board members come to the studio. Camille suffers xenophobic abuse from fascists. Bel meanwhile decides that The Hour will run on the Wolfenden Report, but she finds it impossible to get participants.
Show-girl Rosa-Maria visits Bel to tell her that Kiki has disappeared; Hector calls Laurie for help, unaware that he has contacted the person who assaulted her. Freddie is sure that he is on track to uncovering the truth about Kiki, despite a warning from Commander Laurence Stern to stay away from the story. An argument with McCain leads to a drunken Hector being escorted home by Stern. Hector then begins to recall an incident from their military past which throws doubt on his friend's character.
Freddie and Bel continue their search for Kiki; they pitch the exposé of Cilenti's criminal activities coupled with anti-nuclear policy, but Randall challenges them to get sources to show that the first story is ready. Bel meets Rosa-Maria, who puts herself in danger, and reveals how Cilenti has power over some of the country's most influential leaders. Meanwhile, Randall and Lix, who had worked together in Spain during the civil war, grow closer over their adopted daughter.
Bel continues her relationship with Bill, to the annoyance of Freddie, who is soon abandoned by Camille. Photos from a recent NATO summit contain a face which Freddie deduces forms the connection between Cilenti and the nuclear stories. Bel's source is murdered. Shaken, she tries to stop the pursuit of the Cilenti story. Freddie and Hector, however, follow the story further to establishment corruption involving a mystery company aiming to profit from nuclear bases. Finally Hector's face hits the tabloids in connection with the vice scandal, making it more difficult for The Hour to cover such a major conspiracy. Freddie's determination to follow the story to the very end puts him in mortal danger.
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