"To Play the King" (1993) TV series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

8 October 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Francis Urquhart, unscrupulous but cunning Conservative politician, managed to become the British prime minister and crush all significant opposition...

Plot Keywords:

House Of Commons | English Politics | Prostitute | Corruption | Psychopath

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

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)

Runtime:

55 min (4 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:12

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Emma Bunton (the future "Baby Spice") has a tiny speaking part as a prostitute in Episode 2.

Quotes:

Francis Urquhart: He wants to be of use. He has a conscience. He wants to con-tri-bute.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Drama Connections: House of Cards (#1.5)" (2005)

Fantastic follow up to House of Cards

'To Play the King', an adaptation of Michael Dobbs' novel of the same title, is superb as we are invited by the protagonist, PM Francis Urquhart to watch as he attempts to cling to his position of absolute power. Ian Richardson as the unscrupulous right-wing premier is magnificent and the cast are brilliant; stand-outs including Colin Jeavons as Stamper and Michael Kitchen as the socialist King.

Urquhart's direct-to-camera moments are memorable and the viewer can't help but admire the person we should in actual fact loathe. The action is at a break-neck pace and the plot builds up to a satisfying climax.

Is it better than House of Cards? As Urquhart would say:

"You might very well think that, I couldn't possibly comment."