| Background | | | | home life is troubled, being divorced and with a disabled |
| Armando Iannucci originally conceived of a modern | | | | son. Originally intending to run for parliament at the next |
| political satire after "arguing the case" for Yes Minister | | | | election, working with the disastrous new minister leads |
| in a 2004 Best British Sitcom poll for BBC2. His idea | | | | to him being refused permission to run as an MP. |
| was commissioned by Roly Keating, the controller of | | | | Oliver "Olly" Reeder (Chris Addison) is a special |
| BBC Four, who granted Iannucci limited budget, telling | | | | adviser to the Secretary of State (formerly Junior |
| him to "turn that into what you can." Iannucci created | | | | Policy Adviser) to Hugh Abbot and his replacement, |
| the first series of three episodes, which aired in | | | | Nicola Murray. An Oxbridge graduate, he is arrogant, |
| May-June 2005, and a second series, also of three | | | | inept, inexperienced, somewhat gawky and is often |
| episodes, which followed in October. | | | | inadvertently the cause of departmental mistakes. |
| Production | | | | However, the minister often takes up his ideas |
| The series is written by a team of writers led by | | | | believing them to be vote-winners. He was seconded |
| Armando Iannucci, who also directs the series, with | | | | to 10 Downing Street after he slept with an opposition |
| Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Roger Drew, Sean | | | | party worker and was told to use his relationship to |
| Gray, Ian Martin, Will Smith and Tony Roche. Some of | | | | gather information on opposition party policy. He is |
| the dialogue is improvised rather than scripted (with the | | | | described by Terri as "a bit morally bankrupt". |
| cast credited as providing "additional material"), and | | | | Terri Coverley (Joanna Scanlan) is Director of |
| includes some very strong language. Peter Capaldi has | | | | Communications for the department. Notionally |
| stated that "Fundamentally 80% of the final cut is the | | | | responsible for press relations at DoSAC, Coverley |
| script that we started with. The improvisation just | | | | was Head of Press recruited from supermarket chain |
| makes it feel more real and not written." Prior to | | | | Waitrose as part of an ill-advised scheme to make |
| rehearsals, the scripts are sent to a "swearing | | | | government run like a business.. Professional but |
| consultant" in Lancaster called Ian Martin, who adds | | | | prudish, she is often left to "mop up" the bad press |
| some of the series' more colourful language. The | | | | garnered by the department. As a civil servant, |
| programme's producer is Adam Tandy, who has | | | | compared to the MPs and advisors she is relatively |
| produced all of Iannucci's television projects since 2000. | | | | safe in her job, a fact which she repeatedly states to |
| The programme is shot with hand-held cameras to | | | | their annoyance. She takes a leave of absence during |
| give it a sense of vrit or fly on the wall documentary. | | | | series 2 due to the death of her father. |
| The documentary style is furthered by the absence of | | | | Episodes |
| any incidental music or laughter track. | | | | Main article: List of The Thick of It episodes |
| On 2 April 2007, a DVD of the first six episodes was | | | | The first run of three episodes screened on BBC Four |
| released as "The Complete First Series". It also | | | | from 19 May 2005. A further three episodes were |
| included audio commentary, deleted scenes, and photo | | | | transmitted 20 October 3 November 2005. The six |
| galleries. The two specials were released on a second | | | | episodes were repeated on BBC Two in early 2006, |
| DVD in April 2009. | | | | and later on BBC America together as a single series. |
| Plot | | | | The subsequent DVD release of all six episodes calls |
| The action centres on the fictitious Department of | | | | them The Complete First Series. |
| Social Affairs and Citizenship ("DoSAC" previously the | | | | An hour-long Christmas special, "The Rise of the |
| Department of Social Affairs, or "DSA", prior to the | | | | Nutters", aired in January 2007 with a further ten |
| reshuffle of episode five), which supposedly came out | | | | episodes planned for later on in the year. However, |
| of the Prime Minister's passing enthusiasm for | | | | Chris Langham did not reprise his role as Hugh Abbot, |
| "joined-up government". Thus, it acts as a "Super | | | | due to legal allegations against him, and his subsequent |
| Department" overseeing many others, which enables | | | | conviction has ruled him out of any further roles. To fill |
| different political themes to be dealt with in the | | | | this void, Iannucci introduced new characters into the |
| programme, similar to the Department for | | | | series forming the opposition. |
| Administrative Affairs in Yes Minister. | | | | Another one-off hour-long episode "Spinners and |
| Hugh Abbot, played by Chris Langham, is a blundering | | | | Losers" aired on 3 July 2007. It was followed by a 15 |
| minister heading the department, who is continually | | | | minute extra episode through BBC Red Button, |
| trying to do his job under the watchful eye of Malcolm | | | | following the same story from the opposition's point of |
| Tucker (Peter Capaldi), Number 10's highly aggressive | | | | view. |
| and domineering "enforcer". The programme also | | | | For Series 3, transmission switched to BBC Two, with |
| features James Smith as Senior Special Adviser Glen | | | | subsequent repeats on BBC Four. The series ran for |
| Cullen, who is not an MP, Chris Addison as Junior | | | | eight episodes from 24 October 2009 to 12 December |
| Policy Adviser Olly Reeder, and Joanna Scanlan as | | | | 2009. As a Red Button extra, each episode had an |
| Civil Service Press Secretary Terri Coverley. | | | | accompanying 10 minute documentary titled Out of |
| Series one and two | | | | The Thick of It broadcast immediately afterwards and |
| In the first batch of three episodes, Hugh Abbot is | | | | on the BBC Comedy website, which featured cut |
| installed as a new minister following the forced | | | | scenes, specially written scenes and, later, discussion |
| resignation of his predecessor Cliff Lawton. These | | | | of the programme by the series' writers, makers and |
| episodes follow his attempts to make his mark on the | | | | with figures involved in British politics. |
| department by introducing new policies while following | | | | American adaptation |
| the party line enforced by Malcolm Tucker. Due to a | | | | Main article: The Thick of It (US TV series) |
| series of complications and mistakes, this leads to the | | | | On 27 October 2006, it was announced that The |
| minister coming close to resignation on a number of | | | | Thick of It would be adapted for American television, |
| occasions. | | | | focusing on the daily lives of a low-level member of |
| In the second batch of episodes, a reshuffle is in the | | | | the United States Congress and his staff. Arrested |
| offing, and the series follows the minister's attempts to | | | | Development creator Mitch Hurwitz would be the |
| keep his job. Olly is seconded to Number 10 "to phone | | | | executive producer, along with Armando Iannucci and |
| his girlfriend" Emma Messinger, who happens to be a | | | | Richard Day. The pilot was directed by Christopher |
| member of the shadow defence policy team, where | | | | Guest, and produced by Sony Pictures and BBC |
| he is under the close eye of enforcer Jamie. | | | | Worldwide. The cast included John Michael Higgins, |
| Meanwhile, Terri Coverley is on compassionate leave | | | | Oliver Platt, Michael McKean, Alex Borstein, and |
| following the death of her father, leaving her role to | | | | Wayne Wilderson. |
| Robyn Murdoch, a Senior Press Officer. The | | | | ABC did not pick up the show for its 2007 Autumn |
| department also has to contend with the interference | | | | schedule, Iannucci distanced himself from the pilot |
| of the Prime Minister's "Blue Skies" adviser Julius | | | | stating "It was terrible...they took the idea and chucked |
| Nicholson. The minister and the department survive the | | | | out all the style. It was all conventionally shot and there |
| reshuffle, with the department being rebranded as the | | | | was no improvisation or swearing. It didn't get picked |
| "Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship" and | | | | up, thank god." Other networks including HBO, |
| moved to a new building. However, the mistakes and | | | | Showtime, and NBC expressed interest in the show, |
| compromises continue. | | | | and in April 2009, Iannucci re-entered talks with HBO |
| Specials | | | | over the possibility of an American adaptation. |
| In the two specials, following the Christmas break, | | | | In the Loop |
| Hugh Abbot is in Australia and the department has to | | | | Main article: In the Loop (film) |
| "babysit" Junior Minister for Immigration Ben Swain, | | | | The title card of In The Loop |
| who is described as a "nutter" (a supporter of | | | | In May 2008, the BBC issued a press release stating |
| prime-minister-in-waiting Tom Davis). The first special | | | | that filming had commenced on a feature length |
| revolves around a computer problem at Immigration, | | | | adaption named In the Loop starring Tom Hollander, |
| which is exacerbated by the junior minister appearing | | | | James Gandolfini, Chris Addison, Peter Capaldi, Gina |
| in a disastrous Newsnight interview. The opposition | | | | McKee and Steve Coogan. |
| policy advisor Emma Messinger capitalises on the error | | | | In the Loop premiered in the US at the 2009 Sundance |
| by stealing an idea from Ollie Reader, her boyfriend, to | | | | Film Festival and in the UK at the 2009 Glasgow Film |
| send the shadow minister Peter Mannion on a | | | | Festival. It was released on 17 April 2009 in the United |
| factfinding mission at an immigration centre. Meanwhile, | | | | Kingdom. Although many of the cast return, the only |
| Malcolm Tucker is concerned about his position in the | | | | actual returning characters are Malcolm Tucker, Jamie |
| government after speculating that the Prime Minister's | | | | (given the surname "McDonald" for the film) and a very |
| handover to Tom Davis is expected in less than six | | | | brief cameo from Samantha Harrington as Malcolm's |
| months. Tucker conspires with Ollie to leak the Prime | | | | secretary Sam, with series regulars Chris Addison, |
| Minister's "legacy programme" (the PM's plan to move | | | | James Smith, Joanna Scanlan, Alex MacQueen, Olivia |
| the handling of immigration policy to a non-political | | | | Poulet, Eve Matheson, and Will Smith playing new |
| executive board) in the hope of stalling his departure, | | | | characters altogether. |
| inadvertently leading the PM to resign early. The next | | | | See also |
| episode follows a single night of "spin", as advisers, | | | | Politics in fiction |
| junior politicians and enforcers all try to better their | | | | List of British TV shows remade for the American |
| position during the transition. | | | | market |
| Series three | | | | Yes Minister |
| In series three, Hugh Abbot is replaced as minister by | | | | The New Statesman |
| Nicola Murray, played by Rebecca Front. She is an | | | | References |
| unexpected, last-minute choice for the position, and | | | | ^ British Comedy Awards 2005. Retrieved 4 January |
| given her inexperience and lack of staff, she is forced | | | | 2007. |
| to retain Olly and Glenn as her advisors. The series | | | | ^ Awards at the Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 4 |
| continues to focus on the general running, or | | | | January 2007. |
| mis-running, of DoSAC, with Murray's attempts to | | | | ^ a b c Interview with Armando Iannucci, at bbc.co.uk. |
| formulate her "Fourth Sector Pathfinder Initiative" being | | | | Retrieved 18 January 2007. |
| a running thread throughout the series. However, with | | | | ^ Alastair Campbell, "Was I offended by this brutal |
| the cloud of the forthcoming general election and | | | | spinmeister? No. I was bored" in The Guardian, |
| tension at 10 Downing Street looming, the series also | | | | 24-03-2009 |
| broadened its scope to include episodes set at the | | | | ^ Parker, Robin (6 April 2009). "The Thick of It to |
| annual party conference and BBC Radio 5Live. We | | | | return". Broadcast. Retrieved 17 October 2009. |
| also see more of Murray's opposite number, Peter | | | | ^ "The Thick Of It back for a new series on BBC |
| Mannion, and other members of the Opposition first | | | | Two". BBC Press Office. 2009-04-27. Retrieved |
| seen in the 2007 specials. The gradual breakdown of | | | | 2009-04-27. |
| Malcolm Tucker and appearance of new threats to his | | | | ^ Iannucci, Armando (14 October 2009). "New series of |
| dominance are also major plotlines. | | | | Thick of It starts on BBC2. Saturday 24th Oct, at |
| Characters | | | | 10.10pm. Will be repeated later each week on BBC |
| See also: List of The Thick of It characters | | | | FOUR.". Twitter. Retrieved 14 October 2009. |
| Most episodes focus on the department's incumbent | | | | ^ BBC Programmes - The Thick of It: Series 3: |
| minister and a core cast of advisors and civil servants, | | | | Episode 1 |
| under the watchful eye of Number 10's enforcer, | | | | ^ Britain's Best Sitcom, bbc.co.uk, URL accessed 24 |
| Malcolm Tucker. However, over its run, the series has | | | | January 2009 |
| developed a large cast of additional characters, who | | | | ^ Armstrong, Stephen (16 July 2006). "Television: Why |
| form the government, opposition, as well as members | | | | our sitcoms need to pack a punch". The Times. |
| of the media. | | | | Retrieved 22 November 2009. |
| Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) is the aggressive, | | | | ^ Cast list at the Internet Movie Database. Retrieved |
| profane and feared Director of Communications for | | | | 18 January 2007. |
| the Government. He serves two main roles: acting as | | | | ^ Interview with Armando Iannucci atUncut.co.uk. |
| the Prime Minister's enforcer to ensure the cabinet | | | | Retrieved 29 June 2007. |
| ministers all follow the party line, and managing the | | | | ^ Above and Beyond, interview with Chris Addison by |
| government's crisis management PR, usually in the | | | | David Whitehouse in The London Paper, Wednesday |
| form of spin. He regularly uses smears or threats of | | | | 20 December 2006 |
| violence to achieve his ends. Tucker also appears in In | | | | ^ BBC Press Release. Retrieved 18 January 2007. |
| the Loop. | | | | ^ a b The new PM is variously called Davies and |
| Hugh Abbot MP (Chris Langham) is the Secretary of | | | | Davis in reasonably authoritative sources. A |
| State for Social Affairs (later Social Affairs and | | | | newspaper draft in the second special clearly reads |
| Citizenship) in series 1 and 2. He is an inept Cabinet | | | | Davis, however. |
| Minister who is generally out-of-touch with his | | | | ^ a b c d e The Characters of series 1, BBC Press |
| electorate. While he believes he has some influence, | | | | Release 08.12.2005 |
| he often finds himself at the mercy of events and | | | | ^ Series 1, episode 6 |
| bearing the brunt of Tucker's vitriol. He reads the New | | | | ^ Character profile at bbc.co.uk, URL accessed 7/12 |
| Statesman and has two children, Alicia and Charlie, | | | | 09 |
| whom he barely sees. Although he survives the | | | | ^ Series 3, episode 6 |
| cabinet reshuffle of series 2, he does not appear in the | | | | ^ Character profile at bbc.co.uk, URL accessed 7/12 |
| programme again and is replaced by Nicola Murray in | | | | 09 |
| a subsequent reshuffle at the beginning of series 3. | | | | ^ Series 3, episode 1 |
| Nicola Murray MP (Rebecca Front) replaces Hugh | | | | ^ Series One, Episode Two |
| Abbot for series 3. She is promoted to Social Affairs | | | | ^ Character profile at bbc.co.uk, URL accessed 7/12 |
| and Citizenship Secretary as a last-minute choice in a | | | | 09 |
| government reshuffle in the run up to a general | | | | ^ Paramount Retrieved 4 January 2007. |
| election. Inexperienced and naive, she begins her | | | | ^ BBC Press Release. Retrieved 21 June 2007. |
| tenure poorly with a number of public embarrassments | | | | ^ Hollywood Retrieved 4 January 2007. |
| over her husband's career. She also finds it difficult to | | | | ^ "Christopher Guest Jumps Into 'The Thick of It'". |
| maintain a healthy balance between her home and | | | | Retrieved 2007-03-16. |
| work lives, conflicting with Tucker when he demands | | | | ^ "Platt, 'Piz' Pluck Pilot Parts". Retrieved 2007-03-16. |
| that she send her daughter to a comprehensive | | | | ^ "'Gilmore' Regular Joins ABC Pilot". Retrieved |
| school, rather than her preferred choice of an | | | | 2007-03-16. |
| independent school. Relatively powerless in the | | | | ^ "Sometimes buzz about TV pilots is just a lot of hot |
| Cabinet, her dour public image, largely encouraged by | | | | air". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2007-05-27. |
| Tucker, leads her to be referred to as "glummy | | | | ^ a b Rosser, Michael (2009-04-24). "Iannacci in talks |
| mummy". | | | | with HBO over US Thick of It". Broadcast. Retrieved |
| Glenn Cullen (James Smith) is Senior Special Adviser | | | | 2009-04-24. |
| to the minister. A long-standing friend of Hugh's since | | | | ^ "Rejected by ABC, political satire sparks interest". |
| the campaign days, he acts as his chief adviser. He is | | | | Reuters. Retrieved 2007-06-04. |
| generally politically adept, often being a voice of sense | | | | ^ BBC Press Office - Principal photography |
| within the series, although due to his age is often | | | | commences on Armando Iannucci's In the Loop , URL |
| ignored and emasculated by younger members of | | | | accessed 19 May 2008 |
| staff. Despite a number of mishaps, such as swearing | | | | ^ Official site, URL accessed 11 March 2009 |
| at a member of the public who confronts Abbot, he | | | | ^ [dead link] |
| keeps his job due to his loyalty to Hugh. Following | | | | ^ Ambrose Heron. "UK Release Date for In The Loop". |
| Hugh's departure, he expects to retire, but is | | | | FILMdetail. Retrieved 2009-11-21. |
| unexpectedly kept on as advisor to Nicola Murray. His | | | | |