British Comedy Guide
Ambassadors. Image shows from L to R: Neil Tilly (Robert Webb), Keith Davis (David Mitchell)
Ambassadors

Ambassadors

  • TV comedy drama
  • BBC Two
  • 2013
  • 3 episodes (1 series)

Comedy drama starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb as the British ambassador and his Mission deputy who are busy in Tazbekistan. Stars David Mitchell, Debbie Chazen, Matthew Macfadyen, Oliver Dimsdale, Richard Katz and more.

F
X
R
W
E

Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 1 - The Rabbit Never Escapes

Keith Davis, the new British ambassador to Tazbekistan, is tasked with securing a multi-billion pound contract with the country's government. It's thrown into jeopardy when a pompous human rights activist gets himself arrested.

Preview clips

Further details

Ambassadors. Image shows from L to R: Jennifer (Keeley Hawes), Keith Davis (David Mitchell). Copyright: Big Talk Productions / That Mitchell & Webb Company

The new British ambassador to Tazbekistan is tasked with securing a £2 billion helicopter contract for the UK.

Things begin badly when Keith Davis accidentally shoots an ibex, the national animal, while on a hunting trip with the president - and are further jeopardised when an arrogant young British human rights activist is arrested by the regime on trumped-up charges.

This throws Davis into direct conflict with Neil Tilly, who believes Britain should be prioritising human rights over winning arms contracts. Neil, though, has ethical troubles of his own when the Tazbek secret police blackmail him into spying on the British for them.

The embassy is hosting a 'Best of British Festival' to offer an opportunity for Davis to impress the Tazbeks and persuade them to go with the British helicopters. However, the best the festival can offer is a medieval folk group from Gloucestershire, a demonstration of how to make a pork pie and a one-man production of Frankenstein.

Nobody, least of all Davis, is feeling too confident... Then news reaches them that the human rights activist is facing the death penalty and the ambassador and his team are forced to make a tough decision.

Broadcast details

Date
Wednesday 23rd October 2013
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
60 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
David Mitchell Keith Davis
Debbie Chazen Ludmilla
Matthew Macfadyen POD
Oliver Dimsdale French Ambassador
Richard Katz Jamatt
George Lasha Tall Surveillance Man
Sevan Stephan Short Surveillance Man
Velibor Topic Svecko
Andy Lucas Sergei
James Doherty Kevin
Lachele Carl US Ambassador
Jenny Galloway Mrs Petrova
Robert Webb Neil Tilly
Keeley Hawes Jennifer
Susan Lynch Caitlin
Amara Karan Isabel
Shivani Ghai Natalia
Yigal Naor (as Igal Naor) President Karzak
Natalia Tena Tanya
Guest cast
Danny Scheinmann Guide
Henry Lloyd-Hughes Simon Broughton
Elliot Cowan Stephen Pembridge
Helen Daniels Daisy
Writing team
James Wood Writer
Rupert Walters Writer
Production team
Jeremy Webb Director
Chris Carey Producer
Kenton Allen Executive Producer
Luke Alkin Executive Producer
Chris Sussman Executive Producer
Matthew Justice Executive Producer
David Mitchell Executive Producer
Robert Webb Executive Producer
James Wood Associate Producer
Rupert Walters Associate Producer
Crispin Green Editor
Tom Bowyer Production Designer
Daniel Pemberton Composer

Video

Toasting Tazbekistan

Davis and Neil discuss the complicated order of the Tazbekistan toasts.

Featuring: David Mitchell (Keith Davis), Robert Webb (Neil Tilly) & Susan Lynch (Caitlin).

Share this page