Yes, Prime Minister

James Hacker MP the Government's bumbling minister for Administrative Affairs is propelled along the corridors of power to the very pinnacle of politics - No. 10. Could this have possibly have been managed by his trusted Permanent Private Secretary, the formidably political Sir Humphrey Appleby who must move to the “Top Job” in Downing Street to support him, together with his much put upon PPS Bernard Wolley. What could possibly go wrong?

Yes, Prime Minister (1986-1988) is a British political sitcom created by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn for BBC Two, running two seasons of sixteen half-hour episodes. Paul Eddington plays James Hacker, a bumbling Government minister for Administrative Affairs who is promoted to the very top job at No. 10 Downing Street. Nigel Hawthorne is his formidable Permanent Private Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby, a civil servant who serves as both guide and obstacle, and Derek Fowlds plays the put-upon aide Bernard Woolley caught between them. The engine of each episode is a battle of wits: Hacker wants to push through a policy, and Humphrey uses polite stalling, euphemism and bureaucratic procedure to steer him elsewhere. Each episode is built from a sequence of briefings, cabinet manoeuvres and private office negotiations that expose the gap between political rhetoric and governing. The tone is witty, sardonic and deadpan, with a satirical edge toward Westminster and Whitehall. Fans of Yes, Minister, The Thick of It and Blackadder will find resonance in its verbal sparring and its affectionate cynicism about power. Its dialogue-driven comedy rewards close attention and repeat viewing.

Acclaimed as a sharp, witty political satire whose razor-edged dialogue between Hacker and Sir Humphrey keeps its bite.

• Yes, Ministersharp political satire, bureaucratic power games, deadpan dialogue
• The Thick of Itworkplace comedy of institutional absurdity and deadpan characters
• BlackadderBritish sitcom of bumbling protagonist and cunning subordinate, mild satire

Created by

Antony Jay, Jonathan Lynn

Release Date

1986-01-09

Episode runtime

30 min

Rating

8.6 / 10 (146)

What is Yes, Prime Minister about?

A bumbling minister rises to No. 10 Downing Street only to be outwitted at every turn by his cunning civil servant.

What is Yes, Prime Minister like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Yes, Prime Minister as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Yes, Prime Minister violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Yes, Prime Minister.

What did critics think of Yes, Prime Minister?

Acclaimed as a sharp, witty political satire whose razor-edged dialogue between Hacker and Sir Humphrey keeps its bite.

Which shows are like Yes, Prime Minister?

Shows with a similar feel include Yes, Minister, The Thick of It, and Blackadder.

How long is Yes, Prime Minister?

Yes, Prime Minister: 2 seasons, 16 episodes.

Is Yes, Prime Minister still running?

No, Yes, Prime Minister has ended.

Where can I watch Yes, Prime Minister?

In United States, Yes, Prime Minister streams on Britbox Apple TV channel, Tubi TV.