
The Thick Of It
- TV sitcom
- BBC Two / BBC Four
- 2005 - 2012
- 23 episodes (4 series)
Satirical political sitcom. Number 10's foul-mouthed policy enforcer Malcolm Tucker rules the Government's PR team with an iron fist. Stars Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison, James Smith, Joanna Scanlan, Rebecca Front and more.
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 1
Further details
Cliff Lawton, the Minister for Social Affairs, is having a meeting with Number Ten's Chief Political Advisor - Malcolm Tucker. There have been press rumours that the Minister is to be sacked. Lawton is told that none of these stories have come from Number Ten. However, now they're out there, Number Ten would look weak not to sack him. He's given the opportunity to 'resign' before he is sacked, although obviously they'll be telling the press that he jumped before he was pushed.
His replacement as Minister, Hugh Abbot, takes office. Bored of spinning out his predecessor's Departmental line, he finds a new policy to announce - the Snooper Force.
The decision is made to ignore Governmental procedure and move full steam ahead with press releases - leaving Terri Coverley, the Press Secretary, concerned about revenue implications. The Department's response is 'F*** the revenue implications... bounce the Treasury.'
Abbot and Senior Policy Advisor Glenn Cullen are chuffed with their new policy. But as they prepare to deliver a press launch, their hopes are quashed. They receive a furious call from Tucker. Where did this policy come from? Did the PM approve it? When is 'should' a 'yes'?
Junior Policy Advisor Oliver Reeder is called in to help brainstorm a new cost-free policy that they have to announce to the nation's press in 45 minutes.
But how can they stop the media wheel from turning? Will the press be able to see through the cover-up? And how many shit sandwiches can you feed your allies and enemies before they turn on you?
Broadcast details
- Date
- Thursday 19th May 2005
- Time
- 10:30pm
- Channel
- BBC Four
- Length
- 30 minutes
Cast & crew
Peter Capaldi | Malcolm Tucker |
Chris Addison | Oliver Reeder |
James Smith | Glenn Cullen |
Joanna Scanlan | Terri Coverley |
Chris Langham | Hugh Abbot |
Lucinda Raikes | Angela Heaney |
Timothy Bentinck | Cliff Lawton (ex-Minister) |
John Biggins | Driver |
Jesse Armstrong | Writer |
Armando Iannucci | Writer |
Ian Martin | Writer (Additional Material) |
Martin Sixsmith | Script Development |
Sam Bain | Writer (Additional Material) |
Armando Iannucci | Director |
Adam Tandy | Producer |
Jon Plowman | Executive Producer |
Billy Sneddon | Editor |
Simon Rogers | Production Designer |