Griff Rhys Jones cast in 'I’m Sorry, Prime Minister' in the West End

This is the final chapter of Yes, Minister, which began as a TV comedy series in the 1980s written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn and follows the hilarious ministerial career of Jim Hacker.

Griff Rhys Jones will return to the West End in I’m Sorry, Prime Minister, when it opens at the Apollo Theatre on 30 January, 2026. The production will run through 25 April, 2026.

This is the final chapter of Yes, Minister, which began as a TV comedy series in the 1980s written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn and follows the hilarious ministerial career of Jim Hacker. A TV sequel and stage play, both entitled Yes, Prime Minister, followed, the latter premiering at Chichester Festival Theatre in May 2010, prior to a West End transfer.

Jones will star as ex-Prime Minister Jim Hacker alongside Clive Francis, who is reprising the role of Sir Humphry Appleby from the show's run at The Barn Theatre.

Jones said: “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. They have always been the first and last word on the shenanigans that we call politics. (What Americans have taken to calling the swamp.) “Sorry, Prime Minister” is as acute and apposite as ever. It will be a hoot. What can the great comedy sparring partners make of what the modern world throws at them? I urge everybody - old fans, young fans and yet-to-be fans to come and join us at the Apollo to find out.”

Lynn said: "I wanted to write the final chapter about Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey Appleby, now in their 80s, discarded, ignored, watching today's world with utter bewilderment. An elegiac play about old age and loss - loss of power, loss of influence, loss of friends, loss of family. The only play I've ever seen on this theme is King Lear. This will be funnier."

The BAFTA Award-winning Jonathan Lynn writes and directs, with Michael Gyngell as co-director.

Further casting and creatives are to be announced.

Check back for I’m Sorry, Prime Minister tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Griff Rhys Jones. (Courtesy of production)