Armando Iannucci's The Thick of It might have ended in 2012, but that hasn't stopped it being mentioned almost every time there's a political storm – which is pretty much daily, at the moment.

Advertisement

His foolish and cumbersome characters lied, cheated and bluffed their way to the top of politics, and some of their antics became scarily real life.

RadioTimes.com recently caught up with Roger Allam, who starred as Peter Mannion MP in the satire, to reflect on the popularity of the series.

Does he think there's space for the show to return, especially now the political landscape is different?

"I don't know, it's interesting, isn't it?," he said. "I mean, it's bleaker [in real life] in many different ways. When it [The Thick of It] started, things were more optimistic, we were still in the Blair government.

"There wasn't a war in Europe, there wasn't a cost of living crisis, there wasn't an economic disaster that I don't know where it would sit now."

Allam continued: "Possibly... I mean, someone would have to do something different, invent something different and brilliant to make a political satire now."

Iannucci previously ruled out any more episodes of The Thick of It.

Writing in a New Statesman column, via The Guardian, the creator explained: "No, absolutely not. I now find the political landscape so alien and awful that it's hard to match the waves of cynicism it transmits on its own. Fiction is winning out because fact is no longer making sense."

Check out our Drama hub for more news, interviews and features or find something to watch with our TV Guide.

Advertisement

The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.

Authors

Helen Daly
Helen DalyAssociate Editor

Helen Daly is the Associate Editor for Radio Times, overseeing new initiatives and commercial projects for the brand. She was previously Deputy TV Editor at a national publication. She has a BA in English Literature and an MA in Media & Journalism from Newcastle University.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement