Front Row Yes Minister creator Jonathan Lynn on revisiting the characters in his new play
Feb 10, 2026
Simon McBurney, theatre director, reflects on Philippe Gaulier’s disruptive clown teaching. Amy Berg, documentary filmmaker, discusses her decade-long work on Jeff Buckley’s archival film. Jonathan Lynn, veteran writer and director, talks about revisiting Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey in a play about ageing and loss of power. They also explore stop-motion craft, cancel culture and the emotional stakes of reviving beloved characters.
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When Power Is Replaced By Exposure
- The play flips the original dynamic: the powerful are now deprived of power and must learn to survive without it.
- Lynn uses cancel culture and public scrutiny to show how former leaders can be isolated and dispossessed.
Play Previews And Casting Anecdote
- Griff Rhys Jones plays Jim Hacker and the character is portrayed as politically correct and out of touch.
- Lynn tried the role himself in previews and notes audiences often laugh at the social qualifications line.
A Young Postdoc Connects Generations
- Sophie, a young black lesbian postdoc, bridges the generational gap and highlights loneliness across ages and backgrounds.
- The three characters form an unlikely friendship that addresses isolation and purpose after career loss.
