The schemes of a ruthlessly ambitious British politician who will stop at nothing to get to the top.
Writers:
Awards:
- Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 5 wins & 8 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Series Cast Summary
| Ian Richardson | ... |
Francis Urquhart
(4 episodes, 1990)
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| Susannah Harker | ... |
Mattie Storin
(4 episodes, 1990)
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| Miles Anderson | ... |
Roger O'Neill
(4 episodes, 1990)
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Alphonsia Emmanuel | ... |
Penny Guy
(4 episodes, 1990)
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| Malcolm Tierney | ... |
Patrick Woolton
(4 episodes, 1990)
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| Diane Fletcher | ... |
Elizabeth Urquhart
(4 episodes, 1990)
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| Colin Jeavons | ... |
Tim Stamper
(4 episodes, 1990)
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| Damien Thomas | ... |
Michael Samuels
(4 episodes, 1990)
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William Chubb | ... |
John Krajewski
(4 episodes, 1990)
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Kenneth Gilbert | ... |
Harold Earle
(4 episodes, 1990)
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Christopher Owen | ... |
McKenzie
(4 episodes, 1990)
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David Lyon | ... |
Prime Minister Henry Collingridge
(3 episodes, 1990)
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| Kenny Ireland | ... |
Ben Landless
(3 episodes, 1990)
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| James Villiers | ... |
Charles Collingridge
(3 episodes, 1990)
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Isabelle Amyes | ... |
Anne Collingridge
(3 episodes, 1990)
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John Hartley | ... |
Greville Preston
(3 episodes, 1990)
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| Nicholas Selby | ... |
Lord Billsborough
(2 episodes, 1990)
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Tommy Boyle | ... |
Stephen Kendrick
(2 episodes, 1990)
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| Hugh Dickson | ... |
Dr. Andrew Christian
(2 episodes, 1990)
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| John Arnatt | ... |
Sir Jasper Grainger
(2 episodes, 1990)
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Richard Braine | ... |
Kevin Spence
(2 episodes, 1990)
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Angela Rippon | ... |
Newsreader
(2 episodes, 1990)
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Vivienne Ritchie | ... |
Stephanie Woolton
(1 episode, 1990)
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Eric Allan | ... |
Adrian Shepherd
(1 episode, 1990)
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Janis Winters | ... |
McKenzie's Assistant
(1 episode, 1990)
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Robin Wentworth | ... |
Sir Humphrey Newlands
(1 episode, 1990)
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| Kenneth Hadley | ... |
Chauffeur
(1 episode, 1990)
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| Peter Gale | ... |
Political Secretary
(1 episode, 1990)
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Raymond Mason | ... |
Stoat
(1 episode, 1990)
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Bill Wallis | ... |
Prestatyn Powell, Political Reporter
(1 episode, 1990)
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| Geoffrey Bateman | ... |
Interviewer
(1 episode, 1990)
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Subash Singh Pall | ... |
Waiter
(1 episode, 1990)
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| Robert Ashby | ... |
Presenter
(1 episode, 1990)
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Ian Collier | ... |
Man at Clinic
(1 episode, 1990)
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| Justine Francesca Glenton | ... |
P.R. Girl
(1 episode, 1990)
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| Frank Williams | ... |
Treasurer
(1 episode, 1990)
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| John Pirkis | ... |
Young Man at No. 10
(1 episode, 1990)
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Jeff Nuttall | ... |
Biggman
(1 episode, 1990)
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David Blake Kelly | ... |
Charles Goodman
(1 episode, 1990)
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Sally Faulkner | ... |
Junior Health Minister
(1 episode, 1990)
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Colin Dudley | ... |
Speaker
(1 episode, 1990)
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Henrietta Voigts | ... |
Secretary
(1 episode, 1990)
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| Tariq Yunus | ... |
Jhabwala
(1 episode, 1990)
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| Gertan Klauber | ... |
Blackhead
(1 episode, 1990)
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| Nadim Sawalha | ... |
Bank Manager
(1 episode, 1990)
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Michael Tomlinson | ... |
Constable
(1 episode, 1990)
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Alex Leppard | ... |
Commissionaire
(1 episode, 1990)
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Delaval Astley | ... |
Political Secretary
(1 episode, 1990)
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| Kevork Malikyan | ... |
Mr. Naresh
(uncredited)
(4 episodes, 1990)
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| Leslie Mills | ... |
Prime Minister's personal detective
(uncredited)
(4 episodes, 1990)
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See full cast and crew »
Production Companies
Distributors
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1990) (United Kingdom) (tv) (BBC1)
- BBC Video (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Das Erste (1992) (Germany) (tv)
- Imagica BS (2013) (Japan) (tv) (HD)
- Katholieke Radio Omroep (KRO) (1991) (Netherlands) (tv)
- LaLa TV (2007) (Japan) (tv)
- NHK (1992) (Japan) (tv)
- Pandastorm Pictures (2014) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Pandastorm Pictures (2014) (Germany) (DVD)
- Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (1991) (United States) (tv) (Masterpiece Theatre)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Francis Urquhart is the Chief Whip of the Conservative Party. When Margaret Thatcher resigns as leader, he remains neutral and, after a general election in which the Conservatives are returned with a reduced majority, he fully expects the new Prime Minister, Henry Collingridge, to give him his just reward: a senior Cabinet post. When he's informed that he is to stay in his current position, he devises a plot to unseat Collingridge and ensure his own election as party leader which would make him Prime Minister. Written by garykmcd |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Francis Urquhart's catchphrase "You might very well think that; but I couldn't possibly comment" (meaning "Yes, but I'll deny everything if challenged") has become part of the English political language. "Urquhart's Avoidance" is as widely known as real-life political euphemisms such as "he wants to spend more time with his family" ("he's been sacked or resigned in disgrace") and "he's been economical with the truth" ("he's told blatant lies to save his own skin"). See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1991). See more » |
| Quotes |
[repeated line]
Francis Urquhart: You might well think that. I couldn't possibly comment. See more » |