To Play the King (1993– )

Francis Urquhart, unscrupulous but cunning Conservative politician, managed to become the British prime minister and crush all significant opposition. But his survival on the top is ... See full summary »

Stars:

Ian Richardson, Michael Kitchen, Kitty Aldridge

3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Ian Richardson	...	Francis Urquhart (4 episodes, 1993)
Michael Kitchen	...	The King (4 episodes, 1993)
Kitty Aldridge	...	Sarah Harding (4 episodes, 1993)
Colin Jeavons	...	Tim Stamper (4 episodes, 1993)
Diane Fletcher	...	Elizabeth Urquhart (4 episodes, 1993)
Nicholas Farrell	...	David Mycroft (4 episodes, 1993)
Rowena King	...	Chloe Carmichael (4 episodes, 1993)
Leonard Preston	...	John Stroud (4 episodes, 1993)
Erika Hoffman	...	The Lady (4 episodes, 1993)
Jack Fortune	...	Ken Charterhouse (4 episodes, 1993)
Nick Brimble	...	Corder (4 episodes, 1993)
Bernice Stegers	...	Princess Charlotte (3 episodes, 1993)
David Ryall	...	Sir Bruce Bullerby (3 episodes, 1993)
Pip Torrens	...	Andrew Harding (3 episodes, 1993)
Frederick Treves	...	Lord Quillington (3 episodes, 1993)
Tom Beasley	...	Young Prince (3 episodes, 1993)
Don Warrington	...	Graham Gaunt (3 episodes, 1993)
Paula Tilbrook	...	Speaker (3 episodes, 1993)
John Bird	...	Bryan Brynford-Jones (2 episodes, 1993)
Kate Ricketts	...	Current Affairs Lady (2 episodes, 1993)
Merelina Kendall	...	Hilda Cordwainer (2 episodes, 1993)
Anthony Smee	...	John Staines (2 episodes, 1993)
John Paul Connolly	...	Sturdy Beggar (2 episodes, 1993)
Soo Drouet	...	Big Woman (2 episodes, 1993)

Storyline

Francis Urquhart, unscrupulous but cunning Conservative politician, managed to become the British prime minister and crush all significant opposition. But his survival on the top is threatened by a liberal monarch and some skeletons in the closet.

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Plot Keywords:

english politics | house of commons | member of parliament | political plot | tv mini series | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 October 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kongehuset

Filming Locations:

BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane, Shepherd's Bush, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), WGBH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

55 min 55 min (4 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Stamper confronts Francis about having a job in higher office after the election, like Home Secretary, but Francis rejects him. In the first House of Cards, Francis was promised a higher post like Home Secretary from Collingridge, but was rejected.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Francis Urquhart: You do trust me don't you? Yes, of course you do.

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Connections

Featured in Drama Connections: House of Cards (2005)

User Reviews

Rent this! See it on Masterpiece Theatre! It's wonderful!

This entire BBC series is well worth watching. The screenplay is literate and hilarious. All the actors are wonderful, the script is great, and they've spared no expense with locations! This is an exciting series and I can't recommend it highly enough. Too bad in the United States we don't have actors talented enough to pull of a series such as this one. Diane Fletcher and Ian Richardson are perfect! All the actors in this were first rate and I certainly hope to see more of all of them in the future.