Show |
Conservative Party
Charming chief whip Frances Urquhart plots revenge against his colleagues.
Disclaimer: All content and media belong to original content streaming platforms/owners like Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime Videos, JioCinema, SonyLIV etc. 91mobiles entertainment does not claim any rights to the content and only aggregate the content along with the service providers links.
Charming chief whip Frances Urquhart plots revenge against his colleagues.
Best Actor | 1991 | Ian
Outstanding Writing in a Miniseries or a Special | 1991 | Andrew
Best Actress | 1991 | Susannah
Best Drama SeriesSerial | 1991 | Ken
Best Original Television Music | 1991 | Jim
Best Film Cameraman | 1991 | Ian
Best Film Sound | 1991 | Michael
Best Design | 1991
Best Drama Serial | 1991 | Paul
Francis Urquhart's catchphrase "You might very well think that; but I couldn't possibly comment" (meaning "Yes, but I'll deny everything if challenged") has become part of the English political language. "Urquhart's Avoidance" is as widely known as real-life political euphemisms such as "he wants to spend more time with his family" ("he's been sacked or resigned in disgrace") and "he's been economical with the truth" ("he's told blatant lies to save his own skin").
By complete chance, the first BBC showing of the series exactly coincided with the real life Tory leadership contest and the removal from office of long-running Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Ian Richardson said he based his performance of the scheming Francis Urquhart on the way Shakespeare portrayed Richard III.
The French half-glasses which Urquhart wears were bought personally by Ian Richardson, as he thought they would be perfect for his character. He didn't send the receipt to the BBC after the series as he wanted to keep them.
John Major's then-running campaign for the leadership of the Conservative Party, following Margaret Thatcher's ousting, actually downed tools when the series aired in order to watch it.
"[repeated line] Francis Urquhart: You might well think that. I couldn't possibly comment."
"[speaking to camera] Francis Urquhart: I'm the Chief Whip. Merely a functionary. I keep the troops in line. I put a bit of stick about. I make 'em jump."
