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.

  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 136

Press clippings

The 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

Peter Capaldi says The Thick Of It could not be remade because politics now is 'beyond a joke'

Peter Capaldi has said that a reboot of the dark political comedy The Thick Of It would be too pertinent given the current climate of contemporary British politics.

Ellie Muir, The Independent, 9th January 2024

British comedy's US disasters

As media continues to become more globally inclusive (largely thanks to the rise of streaming services) the idea of remaking anything to fit another culture is gradually becoming more of an outdated concept. But in the past, American TV producers have repeatedly tried and failed to remake many beloved British sitcoms with terrible consequences.

Jazzy Janey, The Comedy Blog, 2nd September 2023

What happens to comedy when British politics becomes a joke?

When audiences do want something sharp, they want it to confirm prejudices.

The Economist, 17th August 2023

BBC puts comedy starring convicted child sex offender on iPlayer

Victims group questions promotion of The Thick Of It starring Chris Langham, who was jailed for downloading child sexual abuse content.

Patrick Sawer, The Telegraph, 15th July 2023

The reality of remaking UK sitcoms

The CBS version of the BBC comedy Ghosts is one of the biggest shows on American TV. But US remakes more often than not go south. Armando Iannucci and other creators share their horror stories.

Daniel Dylan Wray, The Guardian, 13th May 2023

Armando Iannucci: The Thick Of It was fuelled by my anger at the Iraq war

Tony Blair's terrible decision inspired my tale of stupidity in the corridors of power - with a howl of frustration among the one-liners, writes the show's creator Armando Iannucci.

Armando Iannucci, The Guardian, 18th March 2023

Can you really be radicalised by The Thick Of It?

Key signs that people have fallen into [far-right extremism were judged to] include watching the Kenneth Clark TV series Civilisation, The Thick Of It and Great British Railway Journeys.

Douglas Murray, The Spectator, 16th February 2023

BBC Four to repeat comedy classics

To link in with the celebrations of 100 years of the BBC, from Saturday 22nd October BBC Four will begin broadcasting classic episodes of sitcoms and sketch shows.

British Comedy Guide, 14th October 2022

The Thick Of It star downplays return

Armando Iannucci's The Thick Of It might have ended in 2012, but that hasn't stopped it being mentioned almost every time there's a political storm.

Helen Daly, Radio Times, 22nd August 2022

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