The Thick of It (2005)
Armando Iannucci's savage British political satire, where spin, panic, and profanity collide inside the corridors of Westminster power.
The Thick of It - Series Information
- Original Title: The Thick of It
- First Air Year: 2005
- Last Air Year: 2012
- Created by: Armando Iannucci
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 4
- Number of Episodes: 21
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: May 19, 2005 (United States - TV-MA), May 19, 2005 (United Kingdom - 18), May 19, 2005 (Germany - 16), May 19, 2005 (France - 18), May 19, 2005 (Australia - MA 15+), May 19, 2005 (Spain - 18), May 19, 2005 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: BBC Four, BBC Two
- Production Companies: BBC, BBC Studios Comedy Productions
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Thick of It - Plot
Set in the corridors of power and spin, the Minister for Social Affairs is continually harassed by Number 10's policy enforcer and dependent on his not-so-reliable team of civil servants.
The Thick of It - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of the chaos within Westminster:
Where to Watch The Thick of It
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The Thick of It - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Armando Iannucci
Main Cast
- Peter Capaldi
- Chris Addison
- Joanna Scanlan
- James Smith
- Rebecca Front
- Roger Allam
- Vincent Franklin
- Olivia Poulet
- Chris Langham
- Polly Kemp
Writers
- Ian Martin
- Will Smith
- Sean Gray
- Simon Blackwell
- Jesse Armstrong
Executive Producers
- Andy Forssell
- Jon Plowman
The Thick of It - FAQs
Who plays Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It?
Malcolm Tucker is played by Peter Capaldi, whose ferocious, profanity-laced performance became the defining role of the series. Capaldi's portrayal of the terrifying Downing Street enforcer earned him widespread critical acclaim and made Tucker one of the most iconic characters in British television history.
Where can you stream The Thick of It?
The Thick of It is available to stream on BritBox and Peacock Premium. It can also be purchased or rented on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. BritBox is also accessible as an Apple TV Channel or Amazon Channel add-on.
Is The Thick of It based on real politics?
While not based on any single real event, the show draws heavily from the culture of New Labour spin and media management in the early 2000s. Creator Armando Iannucci consulted with political insiders, and many storylines eerily mirror real Westminster crises, giving the satire a disturbingly authentic edge.
How many seasons does The Thick of It have?
The Thick of It ran for four main seasons plus a collection of specials. Season 1 and Season 2 each contained three episodes, Season 3 expanded to eight, and Season 4 wrapped the series with seven episodes. In total, the show produced 21 main episodes across its run from 2005 to 2012.
Did The Thick of It win any awards?
The series earned multiple BAFTA nominations and wins throughout its run, with Peter Capaldi winning the BAFTA for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Role. The show was also recognised by the Broadcasting Press Guild and Writers' Guild of Great Britain, cementing its reputation as one of Britain's finest comedies.
What is The Thick of It about?
Set deep inside a fictional UK government ministry, the show follows a hapless minister and his dysfunctional team of civil servants as they lurch from one crisis to the next, all while being terrorised by Malcolm Tucker, Downing Street's ferocious director of communications. It's a savage, brilliantly funny dissection of political spin culture.
When did The Thick of It first air?
The Thick of It first aired on May 19, 2005, on BBC Four in the United Kingdom. The series concluded in 2012 after four seasons, with the final run depicting the chaos of a government in opposition following an election defeat.
What shows are similar to The Thick of It?
Fans of The Thick of It tend to enjoy Veep, the American spin-off Iannucci created after this series. Other strong picks include Absolute Power, The Regime, and Intelligence. For broader political satire, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Who Is America? offer similarly sharp commentary on the absurdity of power.
More About The Thick of It
Explore further details about the series through these authoritative sources.