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

Yes, Prime Minister (1986)

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Two
  • 1986 - 1988
  • 16 episodes (2 series)

Jim Hacker finds himself suddenly promoted to the position of Prime Minister. Perhaps unfortunately, Sir Humphrey Appleby and Bernard Wooley accompany him upwards. Stars Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds, Diana Hoddinott and Deborah Norton

Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 3 - The Smoke Screen

Jim finds himself frustrated, as ever, by the conflicting demands of his colleagues, the Civil Service, and interest groups. This time the health of the nation is as stake as the Minister for Health puts forward anti-smoking proposals, whilst Jim is already struggling with the Treasury to find tax cuts.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 23rd January 1986
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Sunday 7th August 2011 10:40am Gold
Friday 4th November 2011 11:20am Gold
Friday 4th November 2011 5:20pm Gold
Thursday 24th May 2012 11:40pm Gold
Friday 25th May 2012 1:25am Gold
Thursday 6th September 2012 1:00pm Gold
Thursday 6th September 2012 7:00pm Gold
Sunday 13th January 2013 9:20pm Dave
Tuesday 5th February 2013 8:20am Gold
Tuesday 5th February 2013 1:40pm Gold
Tuesday 1st October 2013 6:20pm Gold
Tuesday 2nd September 2014 6:50pm Gold
Wednesday 3rd September 2014 12:10pm Gold
Friday 17th April 2015 3:20pm Gold
Saturday 18th April 2015 8:30am Gold
Wednesday 27th May 2015 7:00am Gold
Thursday 13th August 2015 1:45pm BBC2
Friday 20th November 2015 1:20am Gold
Monday 28th December 2015 2:35am Gold
Thursday 21st April 2016 10:40pm Yesterday
Friday 30th September 2016 2:30pm BBC2
Sunday 14th May 2017 11:20pm Yesterday
Monday 15th May 2017 4:20pm Yesterday
Sunday 21st May 2017 7:25am Gold
Thursday 9th November 2017 7:25am Gold
Thursday 4th January 2018 7:30am Gold
Saturday 20th January 2018 7:45am Gold
Sunday 21st January 2018 7:15am Gold
Tuesday 15th December 2020 8:00pm BBC4
Tuesday 1st February 2022 8:30pm BBC4
Saturday 5th February 2022 11:40pm BBC4
Tuesday 16th January 2024 8:30pm BBC4
Sunday 21st January 2024 12:35am BBC4

Cast & crew

Cast
Paul Eddington James Hacker
Nigel Hawthorne Sir Humphrey Appleby
Derek Fowlds Bernard Woolley
Guest cast
John Barron Sir Ian Whitworth (Permanent Secretary to the DHSS)
Clive Merrison Dr. Peter Thorne (Minister of Health)
Peter Cellier Sir Frank Gordon (Permanent Secretary to the Treasury)
Bill Wallis Leslie Potts (Minister of Sport)
Brian Hawksley Gerald (Chairman of British Tobacco Group)
Writing team
Antony Jay Writer
Jonathan Lynn Writer
Production team
Sydney Lotterby Director
Sydney Lotterby Producer
Chris Wadsworth Editor
Gloria Clayton Production Designer
Ronnie Hazlehurst Composer

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