Yes Minister. Image shows from L to R: James Hacker (Paul Eddington), Sir Humphrey Appleby (Nigel Hawthorne), Bernard Woolley (Derek Fowlds). Copyright: BBC
Yes Minister

Yes Minister

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Two
  • 1980 - 1984
  • 22 episodes (3 series)

Political satire in which well-meaning MP Jim Hacker has a fast introduction to the world of Whitehall and must then struggle against the Civil Service. Stars Paul Eddington, Nigel Hawthorne, Derek Fowlds, Diana Hoddinott and Neil Fitzwiliam

  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 924

Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 1 - Open Government

Newly installed in his office, Jim Hacker is about to have his first encounter with the feared Sir Humphrey Appleby in an effort to establish "Open Government".

Notes

Produced as a pilot, this episode features a different opening title sequence and music to the rest of the series.

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 25th February 1980
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
30 minutes
Recorded
  • Sunday 4th February 1979 at BBC Television Centre (Recorded as a pilot, in Studio 1.)

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Monday 6th June 2011 8:00pm Gold
Monday 3rd October 2011 10:40am Gold
Monday 3rd October 2011 5:20pm Gold
Saturday 17th March 2012 10:50am Gold
Saturday 17th March 2012 4:15pm Gold
Tuesday 17th April 2012 11:40pm Gold
Wednesday 18th April 2012 1:30am Gold
Monday 20th August 2012 12:20pm Gold
Monday 20th August 2012 7:00pm Gold
Thursday 25th October 2012 10:15pm Gold
Friday 26th October 2012 1:35am Gold
Tuesday 1st January 2013 11:35pm Gold
Wednesday 2nd January 2013 8:20pm Gold
Thursday 19th September 2013 6:20pm Gold
Friday 20th September 2013 11:40am Gold
Saturday 1st February 2014 11:00pm Gold
Sunday 2nd February 2014 2:00am Gold
Friday 4th April 2014 6:00am Gold
Friday 4th April 2014 11:30am Gold
Sunday 22nd June 2014 8:00am Gold
Sunday 22nd June 2014 2:30pm Gold
Saturday 20th September 2014 7:00am Gold
Saturday 20th September 2014 7:00pm Gold
Monday 1st June 2015 4:45pm BBC2
Tuesday 1st March 2016 10:40pm Yesterday
Tuesday 12th July 2016 10:00pm Yesterday
Wednesday 13th July 2016 8:40pm Yesterday
Tuesday 23rd August 2016 2:45pm BBC2
Thursday 26th January 2017 3:00pm Yesterday
Thursday 26th January 2017 9:00pm Yesterday
Sunday 5th March 2017 10:00pm Yesterday
Monday 6th March 2017 9:00pm Yesterday
Monday 9th October 2017 7:10am Gold
Monday 22nd January 2018 7:35am Gold
Tuesday 23rd February 2021 8:00pm BBC4
Tuesday 8th August 2023 9:00pm BBC4
Sunday 13th August 2023 1:10am BBC4

Cast & crew

Cast
Paul Eddington James Hacker
Nigel Hawthorne Sir Humphrey Appleby
Derek Fowlds Bernard Woolley
Diana Hoddinott Annie Hacker
Neil Fitzwiliam Frank Weisel
Guest cast
John Nettleton Sir Arnold Robinson (Cabinet Secretary)
Edward Jewesbury Vic Gould (Chief Whip)
Norman Mitchell The Mayor
David Moran Nigel Lloyd-Pritchard
Fraser Kerr Radio Reporter
Writing team
Antony Jay Writer
Jonathan Lynn Writer
Production team
Stuart Allen Director
Stuart Allen Producer
Michael Casey Editor
Jim Clay Production Designer

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