Yes, Prime Minister Returns: Iconic British Political Satire Gets Final Chapter in the West End

The beloved political comedy that captured the hearts of Britons across the political spectrum – including Margaret Thatcher herself – is getting its final chapter on the West End stage.

The Final Yes, Minister Chapter Arrives at the Apollo

In a theatrical coup for London’s West End, Jonathan Lynn’s “I’m Sorry, Prime Minister” is set to transfer to the Apollo Theatre following successful runs at The Barn Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath, and Cambridge Arts Theatre. The production will run from January 30th to April 25th, 2026.

This latest installment represents the final chapter in the beloved “Yes, Minister” saga, with Griff Rhys Jones stepping into the role of Jim Hacker alongside Clive Francis reprising his role as Sir Humphrey Appleby from The Barn Theatre production. The transfer also marks a significant milestone as the first West End transfer for The Barn Theatre since it opened in 2018.

A British Television Institution

For those unfamiliar with the source material (though there can’t be many), “Yes Minister” and its sequel “Yes, Prime Minister” remain cornerstones of British political comedy. Created by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, the original BBC series aired from 1980 to 1984, with “Yes, Prime Minister” running from 1986 to 1988.

The show followed the ministerial career of the well-meaning but often bewildered Jim Hacker (originally played by Paul Eddington) and his constant bureaucratic battles with Permanent Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby (brilliantly portrayed by Nigel Hawthorne). The series was renowned for its sharp wit, astute political observations, and the deliciously verbose Sir Humphrey, whose ability to say absolutely nothing in the most eloquent way possible became legendary.

The show’s impact on British culture cannot be overstated. It received multiple BAFTA awards and in 2004 was voted sixth in Britain’s Best Sitcom poll. Perhaps most notably, it was famously the favourite television programme of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who reportedly found its portrayal of civil service obstruction all too familiar.

The Final Chapter

“I’m Sorry, Prime Minister” finds our protagonists in their 80s, contemplating life after power. Jim Hacker, hoping for a quiet retirement as the master of Hacker College, Oxford, instead finds himself “cancelled” by the college committee. Enter Sir Humphrey Appleby, who has lost none of his penchant for bureaucracy and obfuscation.

Jonathan Lynn, the BAFTA Award-winning co-creator of the original series, has written and directed this new production. Lynn describes it as “an elegiac play about old age and loss – loss of power, loss of influence, loss of friends, loss of family,” adding with characteristic wit, “The only play I’ve ever seen on this theme is King Lear. This will be funnier.”

Star Power Returns to the West End

The production brings together two celebrated actors to portray these iconic characters in their twilight years.

Griff Rhys Jones as Jim Hacker

Making his return to the West End, Griff Rhys Jones brings five decades of comic expertise to the role of Jim Hacker. Jones first rose to prominence on the BBC’s “Not The Nine O’Clock News” before cementing his status as a British comedy legend alongside Mel Smith in “Alas Smith and Jones.”

A multiple Olivier Award winner, Jones has an impressive theatrical resume including “Oliver!”, “A Christmas Carol,” “The Miser,” and most recently, “An Hour and a Half Late.” Television audiences will also recognize him from his extensive documentary work, where he’s explored subjects ranging from literary figures like Charles Dickens to geographical features in his travel documentaries across Australia and Canada.

Jones expressed his delight at joining the production: “I am delighted and honoured to be stepping into the shoes of Jim Hacker in this the final, funny and poignant episode of his long career. The great TV series, and latterly the plays, are part of my architecture of British Comedy.”

Clive Francis as Sir Humphrey Appleby

Clive Francis, who reprises his role as Sir Humphrey Appleby from The Barn Theatre production, brings a wealth of theatrical experience dating back to his first West End engagement in 1966 in “There’s a Girl in My Soup.”

His extensive stage career includes appearances at the National Theatre (where he won the Clarence Derwent award for “A Small Family Business”), the Royal Shakespeare Company, and numerous West End productions including “The Importance of Being Earnest,” “Single Spies,” and “Enron.”

Television viewers might recognize Francis from appearances in “Poldark,” the original “Yes, Prime Minister,” “The Crown,” “Anatomy of a Scandal,” and “Bridgerton.” Film credits include Mike Leigh’s “Mr. Turner,” “The Little Stranger,” and “Official Secrets.”

An accomplished illustrator as well, Francis has designed and compiled several books including “Laugh Lines” and “The Many Faces of Gielgud,” with his artwork exhibited in the foyers of the Gielgud, Coward, and Sondheim Theatres.

The Creative Team

The production is written and directed by Jonathan Lynn, whose multifaceted career spans theatre, television, and film. After starting his theatre career as Motel the Tailor in the original London cast of “Fiddler on the Roof,” Lynn went on to direct numerous acclaimed productions including “The Glass Menagerie” (working with Tennessee Williams himself), “Songbook” (winner of Best Musical at the Society of West End Theatres Awards), and various productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.

Lynn’s film directing credits include cult classics like “Clue” (which he also wrote), “Nuns on the Run,” “My Cousin Vinny,” and “The Whole Nine Yards.”

The production is co-directed by Michael Gyngell, whose directing credits include UK tours of “The Full Monty,” “Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense,” and, aptly, “Yes Prime Minister.” Gyngell previously worked as assistant director to Jonathan Lynn on “Yes Prime Minister” at Trafalgar Studios.

A Historic Transfer for The Barn Theatre

This West End transfer represents a significant achievement for The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, marking its first production to reach London’s theatrical heartland since opening in 2018. The multi-award-winning venue has produced over 40 productions without public subsidy and was named Best Fringe Theatre at The Stage Awards in 2019.

Iwan Lewis, CEO and Artistic Director of The Barn Theatre, described it as “a landmark moment,” adding: “When we launched the Barn, Chairman Ian Carling and I believed we could create world-class theatre that could reach the West End — all while building a bold, sustainable producing house without subsidy. This transfer is proof: the model works.”

Continuing a Theatrical Legacy

The stage adaptation of “Yes, Minister” has a successful history of its own. A stage play entitled “Yes, Prime Minister” premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre in May 2010 before transferring to the West End, where it played at three different theatres and toured the UK twice to great acclaim.

“I’m Sorry, Prime Minister” now joins this legacy, bringing these beloved characters to a new generation while offering long-time fans the chance to see the final chapter of Hacker and Appleby’s story.

Booking Information

“I’m Sorry, Prime Minister” will run at the Apollo Theatre from January 30th to April 25th, 2026, with press night on February 12th. Performances are Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30pm, with matinees on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 2:30pm.

Tickets start from £20 and can be purchased from London Theatre Direct or by calling 0330 333 4809.

For British comedy fans and theatre lovers alike, this promises to be one of the most anticipated West End openings of 2026 – a chance to say goodbye to two of television’s most enduring characters in what promises to be, in true “Yes, Minister” fashion, a “catastrophically funny” finale.