British Comedy Guide
Taking The Flak. Image shows from L to R: Rory Wallace (Damian O'Hare), Jane Thomason (Doon Mackichan), David Bradburn (Martin Jarvis), Joyful Sifuri (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith), Margaret Hollis (Joanna Brookes), Harry Chambers (Bruce Mackinnon), Grace Matiko (Lydiah Gitachu). Copyright: BBC
Taking The Flak

Taking The Flak

  • TV comedy drama / sitcom
  • BBC Two
  • 2009
  • 7 episodes (1 series)

Comedy drama following a team of journalists in a war zone who are in a state of perpetual danger, not just from bombs... but each other too. Stars Martin Jarvis, Doon Mackichan, Bruce Mackinnon, Joanna Brookes, Damian O'Hare and more.

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Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 1 - Bigfooting

Taking The Flak. Margaret Hollis (Joanna Brookes). Copyright: BBC
A small African war suddenly becomes the centre of global attention when a team of BBC journalists arrives in Karibu, ready to cover the conflict. Local 'stringer' Harry is hanging on to the bottom of the journalist ladder and thinks the story will be his big break. But he finds himself 'bigfooted' when BBC News heavyweights, including senior foreign correspondent David Bradburn, flanked by his production team, and Margaret Hollis from the World Service, arrive in town.

Preview clips

Broadcast details

Date
Wednesday 8th July 2009
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
60 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Martin Jarvis David Bradburn
Doon Mackichan Jane Thomason
Bruce Mackinnon Harry Chambers
Joanna Brookes Margaret Hollis
Lydiah Gitachu Grace Matiko
Lucy Chalkley Samantha Cunningham Fleming
Kobna Holdbrook-Smith Joyful Sifuri
Guest cast
Mackenzie Crook Nigel Bagwell
Lloyd Owen Jack
Alistair Lowe Karim Khan
Bernard Safari Zawadi
Mourad Sadat Mkombe
Nash Nderitu Waiter
George Alagiah Self
Sophie Raworth Self
Bill Turnbull Self
Sian Williams Self
Writing team
Tira Shubart Writer
Jon Rolph Writer
Sandra Jones Writer (Additional Material)
Production team
Michael Buffong Director
Tira Shubart Producer
Jon Rolph Producer
Jon Plowman Executive Producer
Sandra Jones Producer
Jon Blow Editor
Georgina Millett Production Designer
David Lowe Composer

Video

Where's lonelyjournalist63?

Here is David Bradburn's worldwide viral video.

Featuring: Martin Jarvis (David Bradburn) & Damian O'Hare (Rory Wallace).

Press

Taking the Flak (BBC2), which competes for the same airtime, begins promisingly enough.

Nancy Banks-Smith, The Guardian, 9th July 2009

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