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.
Press clippings
Jesse Armstrong discusses how Chris Langham's 'tragic' exit led to a 'new version' of The Thick Of It
Armstrong and Joanna Scanlan spoke about the fall-out of his sudden departure during a conversation at the 2025 Hay Festival.
Annabel Nugent, The Independent, 30th May 2025How The Thick of It redefined expletives on TV
Armando Iannucci wanted to make something 'rough and ready' about what politics was really like in the 2000s, but with a team of talented writers, he created a classic comedy that still resonates today. Katie Rosseinsky dissects the anatomy of its foul-mouthed invective.
Katie Rosseinsky, The Independent, 19th May 2025The full uncensored history of The Thick Of It
It was the political satire that gave us omnishambles, pet asbos and the terrifying Malcolm Tucker. Two decades on, creator Armando Iannucci and stars including Peter Capaldi and Rebecca Front lift the lid on its chaotic creation.
Tim Jonze, The Guardian, 18th May 2025Peter Capaldi: "We didn't rehearse for The Thick Of It. I could never remember my lines"
The Doctor Who star talks about the new series of The Devil's Hour, having a sinister voice, and how society has stopped investing in young people.
Helen Brown, i Newspaper, 18th October 202410 little-known UK sitcoms that US viewers need to watch
Only a few British sitcoms make an impression in the United States, but there are plenty of hilarious shows which deserve bigger international audiences. While shows like Fawlty Towers, Blackadder and The Office have had plenty of success in America, this is merely the tip of the iceberg. British comedy doesn't always translate well overseas, so people don't often give lesser-known British sitcoms a chance.
Ben Protheroe, Screen Rant, 28th July 2024What would Malcolm Tucker make of this election campaign?
You know things are seriously bad when a leaders' debate looks to be the better option as compared to watching Scotland at the Euros. However, the good news is that these debates have turned into comedy gold in terms of political satire. Indeed the one person I feel sorry for just now is Armando Iannucci, because the politicians are blatantly stealing his best plot-lines.
Robert Menzies, The Herald, 28th June 2024Armando Iannucci on how the Americans ruined The Thick Of It
Armando Iannucci has spoken of how the Americas ruined The Thick Of It - exorcising all the swearing and making a "really boring" version of his political sitcom.
Chortle, 26th June 2024The 50 best TV comedies of all time - ranked
From cult classics to sitcom royalty, we've assembled the definitive list of TV comedy greats - but has Mrs. Brown's Boys made the grade?
Michael Hogan, The Telegraph, 20th June 2024Armando Iannucci compares Tory plan to Thick Of It's "The Rise of the Nutters"
Armando Iannucci has compared a bizarre plotline in The Thick Of It to the Conservative Party's latest immigration initiative.
Nicole Vassell, The Independent, 4th June 2024The Office named top landmark comedy of the last 50 years
The Office was the highest-placed comedy in a Broadcasting Press Guild list of the top 50 landmark programmes of the last 50 years.
British Comedy Guide, 13th March 2024