Jim Hacker is back! Immortalised in Jonathan Lynn‘s much-loved and much-missed BBC comedy Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister, the world’s most famously flustered politician is returning for one final round of red tape – this time on stage in the new West End comedy I’m Sorry, Prime Minister.
I’m Sorry, Prime Minister is coming to the Apollo Theatre in London later this month, playing from 30 January to 9 May 2026.
Jonathan Lynn’s sharply observed new satire promises to be a final fond farewell to former Prime Minister Jim Hacker, and his old sparring partner, Sir Humphrey Appleby.
The pair are played in the show by veteran actors Griff Rhys Jones as Jim Hacker and Clive Francis as Sir Humphrey Appleby.
What is I’m Sorry Prime Minister about?
Set in the fictional Hacker College, Oxford – named in his honour – the play finds a retired Jim Hacker facing a very 2026 predicament: he’s being “cancelled.” Under threat of eviction from a new generation of students and Fellows, Hacker does the only thing he knows how to do – he calls his old sparring partner, Sir Humphrey Appleby.
Jonathan Lynn, who co-directs and has written the play following the passing of his co-creator Antony Jay, promises a night that is both “biting” and “elegiac.” The play tackles the sharp humour of political manoeuvring alongside the poignancy of ageing and legacy.
“I wanted to write the final chapter about Jim and Humphrey in their 80s… watching today’s world with utter bewilderment.” — Jonathan Lynn
Video: Meet the cast of I’m Sorry, Prime Minister
The iconic duo are brought to life by two stalwarts of the British stage and screen:
- Griff Rhys Jones (Jim Hacker) is a celebrated Welsh actor, writer, comedian, and TV presenter known for his sharp wit and versatility across stage and screen. Griff has won two Olivier Awards for his stage work, and his best-known TV credits include Not the Nine O’Clock News, Alas Smith and Jones.
- Clive Francis (Sir Humphrey Appleby) is an acclaimed British actor known for his work on stage and screen, including recent roles in Bridgerton and The Crown.
The cast of I’m Sorry, Prime Minister also stars William Chubb (Emma, Bath & tour; Amadeus; The Lord of the Rings) as Sir David, and Stephanie Levi-John (The Winter’s Tale, National Theatre; Role Play) as Sophie, alongside Princess Donnough, Eliza Walters, Jeremy Rose, Robert Kitson and Dominic McChesney.
The play is written and directed by Jonathan Lynn, and co-directed by Michael Gyngell.
Why you should see it
While the original 1980s series famously avoided identifying Jim Hacker’s political party to maintain its razor-sharp neutrality, this final chapter finds the characters navigating a world that has become far more polarised.
Jonathan Lynn has dedicated the production to the memory of his long-time writing partner, Antony Jay, who passed away in 2016, making this a deeply personal “final hurrah.”
By placing these 80-year-old icons in the middle of a modern university “cancel culture” storm, the play does more than just revisit old jokes; it serves as a bridge between the classic era of Whitehall satire and the chaotic, digital-first politics of 2026.
It is a rare chance for audiences to see the master of the “Humphrey-ism” attempt to outmanoeuvre a generation that doesn’t just disagree with his policies, but questions his entire right to a legacy.
Book tickets
I’m Sorry, Prime Minister is playing at the Apollo Theatre in London from 30 January to 9 May 2026.
Book I’m Sorry, Prime Minister tickets here
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