Yes Minister. Image shows from L to R: James Hacker (Paul Eddington), Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne), Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds). Copyright: BBC
Yes Minister

Yes Minister

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Two
  • 1980 - 1984
  • 22 episodes (3 series)

Political satire in which well-meaning MP Jim Hacker has a fast introduction to the world of Whitehall and must then struggle against the Civil Service. Stars Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds, Diana Hoddinott and Neil Fitzwiliam

  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 752

Episode menu

Series 3, Episode 5 - The Bed Of Nails

Hacker is flattered when the PM appoints him as the Government's new 'transport supremo', tasked with forging a grand, unified national transport policy. Sir Humphrey, however, is less than keen, and has a revelation to bring Jim back down to Earth with a bump.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 9th December 1982
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Thursday 27th October 2011 10:40am Gold
Thursday 27th October 2011 5:20pm Gold
Sunday 29th January 2012 7:40pm Gold
Wednesday 16th May 2012 11:00pm Gold
Thursday 17th May 2012 2:00am Gold
Monday 3rd September 2012 1:00pm Gold
Monday 3rd September 2012 7:00pm Gold
Monday 28th January 2013 8:20pm Gold
Monday 28th January 2013 11:40pm Gold
Sunday 28th July 2013 9:00am Gold
Sunday 2nd March 2014 11:00pm Gold
Monday 3rd March 2014 2:05am Gold
Sunday 27th April 2014 9:25am Gold
Tuesday 29th April 2014 1:40pm Gold
Wednesday 30th April 2014 6:35am Gold
Thursday 9th April 2015 3:20pm Gold
Thursday 6th August 2015 2:35pm BBC2
Sunday 27th September 2015 3:30pm Gold
Friday 6th November 2015 2:00pm Gold
Tuesday 12th April 2016 10:40pm Yesterday
Tuesday 13th September 2016 9:55pm Yesterday
Wednesday 14th September 2016 8:35pm Yesterday
Thursday 22nd September 2016 2:45pm BBC2
Tuesday 21st February 2017 3:40pm Yesterday
Tuesday 21st February 2017 9:40pm Yesterday
Sunday 7th May 2017 10:00pm Yesterday
Monday 8th May 2017 3:00pm Yesterday
Thursday 2nd November 2017 7:10am Gold
Thursday 15th February 2018 7:25am Gold
Tuesday 27th July 2021 8:00pm BBC4
Tuesday 12th December 2023 8:00pm BBC4

Cast & crew

Cast
Paul Eddington James Hacker
Nigel Hawthorne Sir Humphrey Appleby
Derek Fowlds Bernard Woolley
Guest cast
John Nettleton Sir Arnold Robinson (Cabinet Secretary)
Nigel Stock Sir Mark Spencer
David Firth Peter Martell (The Times Journalist)
Peter Dennis Piers (Undersecretary Roads Division)
Robert East Richard (Undersecretary Rail Division)
David Rose Graham (Undersecretary Air Division)
Writing team
Antony Jay Writer
Jonathan Lynn Writer
Production team
Peter Whitmore Director
Peter Whitmore Producer
Ian Williams Editor
Gary Pritchard Production Designer
Ronnie Hazlehurst Composer

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