• Home
• Brian and Maggie
• Season 1

Page

Brian and Maggie:

Season 1

• Summary
• How to watch
• Episodes
• News & features

Watch show trailer

01:22

Brian and Maggie

Save

• Season 1
• 2 episodes

• Drama
• Documentary

Summary

Steve Coogan and Harriet Walter star in a drama exploring a memorable 1989 television showdown between broadcaster and journalist Brian Walden and Margaret Thatcher.

Ad

Episode 1: Season 1, Episode 1

Summary

A dramatic re-creation of Margaret Thatcher's final TV interview with journalist Brian Walden from which their friendship never recovered. After resigning as a Labour MP, Brian Walden is poached by London Weekend Television to front a heavyweight political programme dedicated to the longform interview. He forms an unlikely friendship with his first guest, Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher

Review

Frances Taylor

After 36 years, there wasn’t a zeitgeisty clamour for the dramatisation of Brian Walden’s infamous interview with Margaret Thatcher; at least, not in the way Netflix and Amazon Prime recently tripped over themselves to give respective versions of Emily Maitlis’s tearing down of Prince Andrew.

More’s the pity, as this two-parter proves a treat. Behind the camera is the superlative combination of director Stephen Frears and writer James Graham, while in front of it, Steve Coogan and Harriet Walter are compellingly combative (and manage to avoid caricature) as the Labour MP-turned-political-journalist and the divisive prime minister.

Walden and Thatcher strike up an unlikely rapport, on screen, during the filming of their tête-à-tête interviews, but off it, too. It means the waters between personal friendship and political professionalism become increasingly muddied; Thatcher asks for his help in writing speeches, while in his column, Walden opines about how Britain needs her. Their mutual admiration would all come crashing down, of course. The meat of that interview from 1989 is re-created and pored over tomorrow.

How to watch

Next showing

There are no live broadcasts scheduled for this show. But it is available via the streaming providers below.

Streaming

• Channel 4
• Sky Store

❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Details

Released on

2025-01-29

Languages

English

Formats

Colour

Credits

Cast

rolenameBrian WaldenSteve CooganMargaret ThatcherHarriet WalterPamVictoria EvaristoBernard InghamPaul ClaytonJohn WakefieldRoss ArmstrongDavid CoxTom MothersdaleSue RichardsonEmma SidiVinay AhmedKaran GillIan GowSimon Paisley DayGeoffrey HowePaul HigginsAlan WaltersNick SampsonNigel LawsonIvan KayeRonnie MillarJames FleetFloor ManagerOliver DevotiMP for DoverChris MayChildren's TV ClownHarry Creffield

Show more

Crew

rolenameExecutive producerSteve CooganExecutive producerHarriet WalterWriterJames GrahamExecutive producerJames GrahamDirectorStephen FrearsExecutive producerStephen FrearsProducerDan WinchExecutive producerSarah MonteithExecutive producerDelyth ScudamoreExecutive producerRupert Majendie

Show more

• Share on facebook
• Share on twitter
• Share on pinterest
• Share on reddit
• Email to a friend

All episodes

• 
  
  Episode 2
  
  Season 1, Episode 2

  Loading

• 
  
  Episode 1
  
  Season 1, Episode 1

  Summary

  A dramatic re-creation of Margaret Thatcher's final TV interview with journalist Brian Walden from which their friendship never recovered. After resigning as a Labour MP, Brian Walden is poached by London Weekend Television to front a heavyweight political programme dedicated to the longform interview. He forms an unlikely friendship with his first guest, Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher

  Review

  Frances Taylor

  After 36 years, there wasn’t a zeitgeisty clamour for the dramatisation of Brian Walden’s infamous interview with Margaret Thatcher; at least, not in the way Netflix and Amazon Prime recently tripped over themselves to give respective versions of Emily Maitlis’s tearing down of Prince Andrew.

  More’s the pity, as this two-parter proves a treat. Behind the camera is the superlative combination of director Stephen Frears and writer James Graham, while in front of it, Steve Coogan and Harriet Walter are compellingly combative (and manage to avoid caricature) as the Labour MP-turned-political-journalist and the divisive prime minister.

  Walden and Thatcher strike up an unlikely rapport, on screen, during the filming of their tête-à-tête interviews, but off it, too. It means the waters between personal friendship and political professionalism become increasingly muddied; Thatcher asks for his help in writing speeches, while in his column, Walden opines about how Britain needs her. Their mutual admiration would all come crashing down, of course. The meat of that interview from 1989 is re-created and pored over tomorrow.

  How to watch

  Next showing

  There are no live broadcasts scheduled for this show. But it is available via the streaming providers below.

  Streaming

  • Channel 4
  • Sky Store

  ❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

  Details

  Released on

  2025-01-29

  Languages

  English

  Formats

  Colour

  Credits

  Cast

  rolenameBrian WaldenSteve CooganMargaret ThatcherHarriet WalterPamVictoria EvaristoBernard InghamPaul ClaytonJohn WakefieldRoss ArmstrongDavid CoxTom MothersdaleSue RichardsonEmma SidiVinay AhmedKaran GillIan GowSimon Paisley DayGeoffrey HowePaul HigginsAlan WaltersNick SampsonNigel LawsonIvan KayeRonnie MillarJames FleetFloor ManagerOliver DevotiMP for DoverChris MayChildren's TV ClownHarry Creffield

  Show more

  Crew

  rolenameExecutive producerSteve CooganExecutive producerHarriet WalterWriterJames GrahamExecutive producerJames GrahamDirectorStephen FrearsExecutive producerStephen FrearsProducerDan WinchExecutive producerSarah MonteithExecutive producerDelyth ScudamoreExecutive producerRupert Majendie

  Show more

  • Share on facebook
  • Share on twitter
  • Share on pinterest
  • Share on reddit
  • Email to a friend

Powered By

IMDB

imdb-square

7.6/10

How to watch

Next showing

There are no live broadcasts scheduled for this show. But it is available via the streaming provider below.

Streaming

• Channel 4

News & features about Brian and Maggie

• 
  
  Is Brian and Maggie based on a true story?
  
  The two-part series covers the final interview between Brian Walden and Margaret Thatcher.

• 
  
  Brian and Maggie, starring Steve Coogan and Harriet Walter, confirms air date
  
  The miniseries revisits the showdown between Brian Walden and Margaret Thatcher.

  Ad

• 
  
  Death in Paradise & Brian and Maggie stars are on this week's Radio Times
  
  The biggest TV crime drama returns as Don Warrington and new recruit Don Gilet talk sun, sea and success in the Caribbean, plus Steve Coogan and Harriet Walter recreate Margaret Thatcher's 1989 TV interview in a new Channel 4 drama.

• 
  
  Steve Coogan reveals cut Brian and Maggie scene that was "too kind"
  
  Coogan had previously told Radio Times magazine that he'd cut a Brian and Maggie scene.

• 
  
  Brian and Maggie cast: Who stars in Steve Coogan and Harriet Walter drama?
  
  Steve Coogan and Harriet Walter lead the cast of the new drama.

• 
  
  Matthew Parris says Weekend World has no modern equivalent: "People don't have the attention span now"
  
  Brian Walden had made Weekend World his own, says Matthew Parris – and ensnared Margaret Thatcher.

• 
  
  Sinners and The Crown stars join Guy Pearce as Rupert Murdoch in raucous first-look trailer for Danny Boyle's Ink
  
  The film's cinema release date has also been confirmed.

  Ad

• 
  
  British comedy legend tipped to join The White Lotus season 4 opposite Hollywood stars
  
  We've got some further exciting cast details for the fourth instalment of The White Lotus.

• 
  
  Harriet Walter: 'I think Margaret Thatcher would have detested me'
  
  Walter spoke with Radio Times magazine about her new Channel 4 drama Brian and Maggie.

• 
  
  Steve Coogan on Thatcher portrayal in new drama: 'We cut something in the edit that was too kind'
  
  Emily Maitlis speaks to Steve Coogan about his new Channel 4 drama Brian and Maggie for the latest issue of Radio Times magazine.

• 
  
  Legends star Steve Coogan argues Margaret Thatcher shouldn't be "sanctified"
  
  His latest role in political thriller Legends takes Steve Coogan back to the 90s – a time where he couldn’t be picky about parts.

• 
  
  McDonald & Dodds cancelled after 4 seasons on ITV
  
  We've seen the last of the beloved Bath-based detectives.

• 
  
  Stephen Graham is threatening in thrilling trailer for Peaky Blinders creator's new drama
  
  The Victorian boxing drama will arrive on Disney Plus next month.

• 
  
  Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan's comedy travel series The Trip is returning
  
  It marks the fifth instalment of the pair's beloved comedy series.

• 
  
  Channel 4 boss who commissioned The Piano and It's A Sin steps down
  
  Alex Mahon will leave Channel 4 in summer this year.

• 
  
  Who Do You Think You Are? 2026 line-up: Meet the celebrities taking part
  
  Eight celebrities are ready to learn more about their family history.

• 
  
  Strike's Tom Burke and Steve Coogan lead cast of Netflix thriller Legends
  
  The new series comes from the writer of The Gold.

• 
  
  EastEnders director reveals "eye-opening" experience crafting special Nigel Bates episode – and his incredible resilience to land the job
  
  "It really taught me something."

• 
  
  I, Jack Wright cast: Nikki Amuka-Bird and John Simm star
  
  The drama, which is now arriving on the BBC, comes from Unforgotten creator Chris Lang.

• 
  
  Death in Paradise confirms season 14 guest stars – with an exciting familiar face returning
  
  One of the show's most beloved characters is back as a guest star for season 14.

• 
  
  Legends cast: Steve Coogan, Tom Burke and Hayley Squires star
  
  The new Netflix drama comes from The Gold creator Neil Forsyth.

• 
  
  Love Is Blind UK casting producer reveals efforts to bring everyone’s love stories to the screen
  
  "Love comes in different forms, different shells, and everyone can have their happily ever after."

See more about Brian and Maggie

Ad

Ad

Ad