Matthew Rhys is leading a BBC drama exploring the work of one the most iconic British journalists of all time.

The Americans and Beast in Me star is playing former Sunday Times editor Harry Evans in Dragon Slayers, which will act as a potted 20th century history of UK investigatory work including when Evans’ team fought for the victims of Thalidomide, uncovered the truth behind the DC-10 crash – then the world’s worst air disaster – and they faced down treason charges in exposing Kim Philby as one of the most successful spies of the 20th century.

Set in the 1970s and penned by Peter Bowker (The A Word), Dragon Slayers will be based on research, published accounts and interviews with those who knew and worked with Evans – including his widow, editor, author and journalist Tina Brown, and the Evans family.

Dragon Slayers comes from Mr Bates vs the Post Office exec Patrick Bates’ Anonymous Content-backed AC Chapter One alongside Universal International Studios. AC Chapter One is also making a Channel 4 drama about the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in London with Danny Dyer and an ITV cop thriller starring Sheridan Smith.

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said: “Dragon Slayers is a rollercoaster story, each episode gripping and powerful, written with Pete Bowker’s signature wit and sense of purpose. The investigative stories which were broken by Harry and his team carry as much power and purpose today as they did at the time. It’s a real coup that the wonderful Matthew Rhys will star as the iconic Harry Evans.”

Dragon Slayers was commissioned by Salt. It is written by Bowker, who also executive produces, and Annalisa Dinnella (Sex Education). The director is Al Mackay (The Cage), the executive producers are Spence (A Spy Among Friends), Rhys and Joe Williams (Mr Bates vs The Post Office). The producer is Natasha Romaniuk (The Split), the casting director is Shaheen Baig (Adolescence). The series is distributed by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.