Intelligence Squared

The Thick of It: 20 Years On, with Armando Iannucci, Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison and Rebecca Front (Part Two)

October 4, 2025

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  • The filming of the inquiry episode of *The Thick of It* was conducted without rehearsals, keeping the actors separate to capture genuine reactions to the unfolding evidence. 
  • The actors noted that the show's success led to real-life politicians wanting to emulate the characters, such as posing for photos being 'punched' by Peter Capaldi, suggesting the satire had an unintended aspirational effect. 
  • The panel agreed that modern politicians, unlike previous generations who had seen world upheaval, often lack real-world experience, leading to the rise of the professionalized, lanyard-wearing political class. 

Segments

Inquiry Episode Filming Method
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(00:03:27)
  • Key Takeaway: The final episode of The Thick of It was filmed using an inquiry format where actors were kept separate and only received scripts of preceding witnesses to ensure authentic, un-rehearsed reactions.
  • Summary: The inquiry episode script was 90 pages long, designed to mimic real inquiry conditions where witnesses only see prior evidence. Actors were kept apart and received only the scripts of those who testified before them. This radical technique meant there was no rehearsal, creating a strange filming environment for the crew and actors alike.
End of Show Feelings
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(00:06:31)
  • Key Takeaway: The conclusion of The Thick of It was marked by sadness among the cast due to the strong bond formed, and it ended without a formal ‘wrap’ moment.
  • Summary: Peter Capaldi described the end as scary but also sad because the cast was an extraordinary group of talented people he felt lucky to be with. Armando Iannucci noted that the show’s end came strangely for each actor individually, without a collective final moment. The cast eventually gathered outside in the garden after the filming concluded.
Politicians Loving the Satire
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(00:08:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Real political figures, including Alistair Campbell, engaged with the satire, sometimes leading to awkward encounters like Chris Addison meeting Campbell on the ‘Wanker Tanker’ boat.
  • Summary: Armando Iannucci suggested that popular satire can become an ’ego ride’ for the subjects, noting that some people in politics started aspiring to be like Malcolm Tucker. Chris Addison recounted meeting Alistair Campbell on a BBC election night boat called the ‘Wanker Tanker’ in 2010. Rebecca Front also experienced politicians asking if their characters were based on them, which she consistently denied.
Character Basis and Specificity
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(00:10:46)
  • Key Takeaway: The characters in The Thick of It were not impressions of specific individuals but were created by capturing generalized political types, though wardrobe details sometimes mirrored real figures like Caroline Flint.
  • Summary: Rebecca Front confirmed that female cabinet ministers often asked if they were the basis for her character, which she insisted was not the case. Iannucci clarified that Malcolm is not Alistair Campbell; the show focuses on capturing types rather than impressions. The only specific real-life influence mentioned was Caroline Flint’s snappy dressing style influencing Nicola Murray’s wardrobe.
Actor’s Experience with Public Persona
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(00:12:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Peter Capaldi found that playing Malcolm Tucker gave him license to tell people to ‘fuck off’ while simultaneously giving the public what they wanted, though he disliked being constantly asked what Tucker would say on talk shows.
  • Summary: Capaldi enjoyed the freedom the character gave him to be rude to people asking for photos, as he was giving them what they expected. He found it excruciating to be on shows like The One Show and be forced to answer questions in character, often resorting to crude Tucker-esque responses. The panel concluded the first half by having Capaldi deliver a signature Tucker insult to the audience before the break.
Post-Break Q&A and Royalties
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(00:16:20)
  • Key Takeaway: The cast members receive minimal, sporadic royalties from The Thick of It, with Chris Addison receiving as little as £17 for series one to four, sometimes linked to obscure international broadcasts.
  • Summary: Chris Addison jokingly asked if the royalties were ever sorted out, revealing he only receives small amounts like £17, sometimes noting payments from Albania. Rebecca Front mentioned receiving £50 every two weeks when a clip of her character was shown on Newsnight. Chris Addison also noted receiving £56 whenever a clip from Balamori was shown.
Encouraging Youth Political Engagement
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(00:18:28)
  • Key Takeaway: To encourage young people into politics, the panel suggested teaching civics to explain the mechanics of democracy rather than just tribal party politics, as the current system is often perceived as dysfunctional.
  • Summary: One audience member, who was put off politics by the show, asked how to encourage youth engagement. The panel suggested teaching civics, explaining how the system works, including its flaws. Iannucci joked that he would start by showing a clip of Malcolm Tucker telling year fives to ‘fuck off’ before discussing solutions.
Modern Political Types
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(00:32:52)
  • Key Takeaway: Robert Jenrick exemplifies the ’lanyard class’—politicians professionalized through think tanks and junior roles who lack the broad life experience of previous political ‘big beasts’ who served in the war.
  • Summary: Robert Jenrick was cited as an example of a politician whose persona is entirely constructed from professionalized political components, lacking substance at the center. This contrasts with older politicians like Ken Clarke or Thatcher who had significant careers outside politics and had experienced world upheaval. The panel noted that by only surrounding themselves with agreeable types, leaders like Boris Johnson draw from an increasingly small talent pool, culminating in figures like Liz Truss.