The cast of The Thick of It. Photo: BBC
The background
It’s been three years since the last series of The Thick of It was shown on television. Now it’s back – seven new episodes will screen on BBC2 this coming autumn. The series won plaudits for its incisive mockery of British political life – particularly in the figure of Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi), the immensely foul-mouthed spin doctor supposedly based on Alistair Campbell. So what can we expect from Armando Ianucci’s razor-sharp satire? There will be a coalition government, for certain. And lots of swearing – they’ve hired a “swearing consultant” to make Tucker’s profanities. Everybody’s happy.
Breaking political conventions
Armando Ianucci said that the show would go into “exciting and uncharted territory.” There will be a storyline right through the series – “to the bitter, bitter end.” Every “political convention imaginable” will be questioned.
Expect the regulars
Robert Dex on The Independent said we can expect the regulars, such as Nicola Murray MP (Rebecca Front), and Roger Allam as Peter Mannion.
Many reasons to be excited
Stuart Heritage on The Guardian was looking forward to a “Nick Clegg figure” – “unintentionally clownish.” There are also hints at a “vast Leveson-style public inquiry.” We’ll also be expecting more of an “off-duty” Malcolm Tucker – “a neutered circus bear desperately trying to fill his time.” And there will be more of Stewart Pearson. Plus, it’s not Veep.
Especially Malcolm Tucker
What a difference three years makes, said Daniella Graham on Metro. When The Thick of It aired first, Labour were still in power. Now “politics is ripe for parody.” We’ll see our favorite characters “devoid of power”, whilst Peter Mannion has to work alongside the Lib Dems. And as for Tucker – “One can only assume being neutered by a lack of government influence will only serve to fuel Malcolm’s temper – and I cannot wait to see the results.”
Watch the best of Malcolm Tucker
