Yes Minister poster

TV series

Yes Minister

1980TV-PG3 seasons8.3 / 10

Satirical sitcom set in the office of a UK Cabinet minister, Jim Hacker MP, who struggles with Civil Service bureaucracy and political machinations as he tries to get on with government business.

Availability

Not streaming in United States

Yes Minister premiered February 25, 1980. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.

Synopsis

Satirical sitcom set in the office of a UK Cabinet minister, Jim Hacker MP, who struggles with Civil Service bureaucracy and political machinations as he tries to get on with government business.

Season 1 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

Episode 1

Open Government

30m6.0 / 10

Jim Hacker retains his seat in the election and is given a cabinet post in the new government He meets the permanent secretary for his department Sir Humphrey Appleby but Jim decides to change the way things are done in the civil service so Sir Humphrey sets out to stop him

Episode credits

Directed by Stuart AllenWritten by Jonathan Lynn, Antony JayGuest stars Diana Hoddinott, John Nettleton, Neil Fitzwiliam, Edward Jewesbury, Norman Mitchell, David Moran, Fraser Kerr

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Episode 2

The Official Visit

30m6.0 / 10

When the leader of an African country is killed in a coup, his successor, who is an old friend of Jim’s, comes in his place. They negotiate a £50 million deal to help buy oil exploration equipment.

Episode credits

Directed by Sydney LotterbyWritten by Jonathan Lynn, Antony JayGuest stars John Savident, Tenniel Evans

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Episode 3

The Economy Drive

30m6.0 / 10

Jim Hacker is determined to reduce the Civil Service, but he is frustrated by Sir Humphrey, and the only numbers he can alter are the numbers of tea ladies.

Episode credits

Directed by Sydney LotterbyWritten by Jonathan Lynn, Antony JayGuest stars Diana Hoddinott, John Savident, John Barron, Neil Fitzwiliam, Peter Cellier, Clive Merrison

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Episode 4

Big Brother

30m7.0 / 10

When the Government is planning to introduce a national database, Jim wants to bring in safe guards, but Sir Humphrey stalls until with some help from the opposition, Jim gets his way.

Episode credits

Directed by Sydney LotterbyWritten by Jonathan Lynn, Antony JayGuest stars Diana Hoddinott, Frederick Jaeger, Neil Fitzwiliam, Robert McKenzie, Matthew Roberton, Robert Urquhart

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Episode 5

The Writing on the Wall

30m10.0 / 10

A rumour starts that Jim’s department is about to be axed. So with help from Sir Humphrey, they try and defeat the Prime Minister’s plans.

Episode credits

Directed by Sydney LotterbyWritten by Jonathan Lynn, Antony JayGuest stars John Savident, Neil Fitzwiliam, Tenniel Evans

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Episode 6

The Right to Know

30m8.0 / 10

Jim faces rebellion at home and in the office over the removal of protected status from a badger habitat, while he tries to circumvent Sir Humphrey’s efforts to keep him ignorant of things.

Episode credits

Directed by Sydney LotterbyWritten by Jonathan Lynn, Antony JayGuest stars Diana Hoddinott, John Savident, Gerry Cowper, Harriet Reynolds, Roger Elliott

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Episode 7

Jobs for the Boys

30m8.0 / 10finale

Jim goes on radio to support the Solihull project a Government, union and private enterprise building scheme, that he has inherited from the last administration, but unknown to him the project is close to bankruptcy, Sir Humphrey hopes to save the deal by offering a quango to the director of the bank involved

Episode credits

Directed by Sydney LotterbyWritten by Jonathan Lynn, Antony JayGuest stars Richard Vernon, Neil Fitzwiliam, Richard Davies, John D. Collins

Where to watch Yes Minister

Episode information updated Sep 19, 2026

More about Yes Minister

Cast

Paul EddingtonJim Hacker
Nigel HawthorneSir Humphrey Appleby
Derek FowldsBernard Woolley
Diana HoddinottAnnie Hacker
John NettletonSir Arnold Robinson
John Savident
Frederick Jaeger
Richard Vernon

Credits

Created by
Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay
Written by
Jonathan Lynn, Antony Jay

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
21
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • BBC TwoUnited Kingdom
  • BBCUnited Kingdom

Themes

british politicsenglandministerpolitical humorpoliticianpoliticssatiresitcom