The Thick Of It. Image shows from L to R: Oliver Reeder (Chris Addison), Terri Coverley (Joanna Scanlan), Nicola Murray (Rebecca Front), Glenn Cullen (James Smith), Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi). Copyright: BBC
The Thick Of It

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.

  • Series 1, Episode 1 repeated Thursday 2nd May at 11:30pm on BBC Scotland
  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 375

Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 1

Hugh Abbot, newly appointed Minister for Social Affairs, faces a policy crisis.

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

Repeats

  1. Thursday 2nd May 2024 at 11:30pm on BBC Scotland

Cast & crew

Cast
Peter Capaldi Malcolm Tucker
Chris Addison Oliver Reeder
James Smith Glenn Cullen
Joanna Scanlan Terri Coverley
Chris Langham Hugh Abbot
Lucinda Raikes Angela Heaney
Guest cast
Timothy Bentinck Cliff Lawton (ex-Minister)
John Biggins Driver
Writing team
Jesse Armstrong Writer
Armando Iannucci Writer
Ian Martin Writer (Additional Material)
Martin Sixsmith Script Development
Sam Bain Writer (Additional Material)
Production team
Armando Iannucci Director
Adam Tandy Producer
Jon Plowman Executive Producer
Billy Sneddon Editor
Simon Rogers Production Designer

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