Armando Iannucci

Writing

Armando Iannucci

Born 1963-11-28 · Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Armando Giovanni Iannucci CBE (/jəˈnuːtʃi/ yə-NOO-chee; born 28 November 1963) is a Scottish satirist, writer, director, producer and performer.  Born in Glasgow to Italian parents, Iannucci studied at the University of Glasgow, followed by the University of Oxford. Starting on BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4, his early work with Chris Morris on the radio series On the Hour transferred to television as The Day Today.  A character from this series, Alan Partridge, co-created by Iannucci, went on to feature in several of Iannucci's television and radio programmes, including Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge and I'm Alan Partridge. Iannucci also fronted the satirical Armistice review shows and, in 2001, created his most personal work, The Armando Iannucci Shows, for Channel 4. Moving back to the BBC in 2005, Iannucci created the political sitcom The Thick of It and the spoof documentary Time Trumpet in 2006. In 2009, he won funding from the UK Film Council. He directed the critically acclaimed feature film  In the Loop, featuring characters from The Thick of It. As a result of these works, he has been described by The Daily Telegraph as "the hardman of political satire". Other works during this period include the operetta libretto Skin Deep and his radio series Charm Offensive. Iannucci created the HBO political satire Veep and was its showrunner for four seasons from 2012 to 2015. For his work on Veep, he won two Emmys in 2015, Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. He followed this with the feature films The Death of Stalin (2017) and The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019), a 2019 adaptation of the novel David Copperfield. In 2020, he created the comedy series Avenue 5 on HBO. Description above from the Wikipedia article Armando Iannucci, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Acting credits

Beyond Boundaries: The Harvey Weinstein Scandal poster
5.4

Examine the rise and fall of Hollywood media mogul Harvey Weinstein following the scandal in 2017. Learn from exclusive interviews with those who knew him in the industry, and a discussion of the start of the #MeToo movement.

Beyond Boundaries: The Harvey Weinstein Scandal

2018

Can Elon Musk Rule the World? poster
9.5

What does the world's richest man, dedicated chaos agent, and Donald Trump's new best buddy want out of politics? To shape the world? Or is it bigger than that?

Can Elon Musk Rule the World?

2025

Gaga for Dada: The Original Art Rebels poster
5.0

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the surreal art movement, comedian Jim Moir (a.k.a. Vic Reeves) presents this documentary exploring the history of Dadism and the lasting influence it has had on himself and others.

Gaga for Dada: The Original Art Rebels

2016

50 Years of BBC Two Comedy poster
8.0

Documentary charting and celebrating five decades of often groundbreaking, boundary-pushing comedy from BBC Two.

50 Years of BBC Two Comedy

2014

The Academy of Armando poster
1.0

Alan Yentob profiles the stellar career of one of the great satirists of our age, Armando Iannucci, whose impressive body of work includes The Day Today, The Thick of It, Veep, The Death of Stalin and The Personal History of David Copperfield. With contributions from key collaborators such as Chris Morris, Steve Coogan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Rebecca Front, Jesse Armstrong, Michael Palin and Peter Capaldi, imagine... sheds light on Iannucci’s unique creative process.

The Academy of Armando

2025

Armando's Tale of Charles Dickens poster
6.0

Armando Iannucci presents a personal argument in praise of the genius of Charles Dickens. Through the prism of the author's most autobiographical novel, David Copperfield, Armando looks beyond Dickens - the national institution - and instead explores the qualities of Dickens's work that still make him one of the best British writers. While Dickens is often celebrated for his powerful depictions of Victorian England and his role as a social reformer, this programme foregrounds the elements of his writing which make him worth reading, as much for what he tells us about ourselves in the twenty-first century as our ancestors in the nineteenth. Armando argues that Dickens's remarkable use of language and his extraordinary gift for creating characters make him a startlingly experimental and psychologically penetrating writer who demands not just to be adapted for television but to be read and read again.

Armando's Tale of Charles Dickens

2012

Clinton: His Struggle with Dirt poster
7.4

A mockumentary taking a comic-look at how the Lewinsky scandal is perceived in the year 2028.

Clinton: His Struggle with Dirt

1998

Alan Partridge: Why, When, Where, How And Whom? poster
8.2

Documentary looking back at Alan Partridge's journey from broadcaster caricature to the award-winning study of complexity and pathos that he has become.

Alan Partridge: Why, When, Where, How And Whom?

2017

No artwork available
4.0

As part of BBC Two's 50th birthday celebrations, this programme pulls from the shelf some rare and previously unseen comedy moments from some of the greatest names in comedy.

The Comedy Vaults: BBC2's Hidden Treasure

2014

Michael Palin: A Life on Screen poster
7.0

This special one-hour documentary reflects on Michael Palin's fascinating career as a BAFTA-winning actor, writer and presenter.

Michael Palin: A Life on Screen

2018

Art Matters poster
10.0

Join Melvyn Bragg for an insightful journey into why “Art Matters,” With a career spanning over 60 years, Bragg passionately advocates for the importance of the arts as he reflects on his early experiences and engages with influential figures from the artistic world.

Art Matters

2024

Milton's Heaven and Hell poster
NR

Armando Iannucci journeys through Milton's life and his great poem Paradise Lost, offering his own passionate and illuminating response to what he feels is a work of genius.

Milton's Heaven and Hell

2009

Behind the camera

The Death of Stalin poster
7.0

When dictator Joseph Stalin dies, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to become the next Soviet leader. As they bumble, brawl and back-stab their way to the top, the question remains — just who is running the government?

The Death of Stalin

2017

The Death of Stalin poster
7.0

When dictator Joseph Stalin dies, his parasitic cronies square off in a frantic power struggle to become the next Soviet leader. As they bumble, brawl and back-stab their way to the top, the question remains — just who is running the government?

The Death of Stalin

2017

In the Loop poster
7.0

The US President and the UK Prime Minister are planning on launching a war in the Middle East, but—behind the scenes—government officials and advisers are either promoting the war or are trying to prevent it.

In the Loop

2009

In the Loop poster
7.0

The US President and the UK Prime Minister are planning on launching a war in the Middle East, but—behind the scenes—government officials and advisers are either promoting the war or are trying to prevent it.

In the Loop

2009

The Personal History of David Copperfield poster
6.4

A fresh and distinctive take on Charles Dickens’ semi-autobiographical masterpiece, The Personal History of David Copperfield, set in the 1840s, chronicles the life of its iconic title character as he navigates a chaotic world to find his elusive place within it. From his unhappy childhood to the discovery of his gift as a storyteller and writer, David’s journey is by turns hilarious and tragic, but always full of life, colour and humanity.

The Personal History of David Copperfield

2019

The Personal History of David Copperfield poster
6.4

A fresh and distinctive take on Charles Dickens’ semi-autobiographical masterpiece, The Personal History of David Copperfield, set in the 1840s, chronicles the life of its iconic title character as he navigates a chaotic world to find his elusive place within it. From his unhappy childhood to the discovery of his gift as a storyteller and writer, David’s journey is by turns hilarious and tragic, but always full of life, colour and humanity.

The Personal History of David Copperfield

2019

The Personal History of David Copperfield poster
6.4

A fresh and distinctive take on Charles Dickens’ semi-autobiographical masterpiece, The Personal History of David Copperfield, set in the 1840s, chronicles the life of its iconic title character as he navigates a chaotic world to find his elusive place within it. From his unhappy childhood to the discovery of his gift as a storyteller and writer, David’s journey is by turns hilarious and tragic, but always full of life, colour and humanity.

The Personal History of David Copperfield

2019

Spinners and Losers poster
8.7

Peter Mannion's speech on immigration, leaking the PM's policy, did not have the effect Tucker desired and now the PM is resigning, leaving the way clear for the Nutters and their leader Tom. Ollie has been promised a job by young Nutter Ben Swain, Tucker's assistant has encouraged Hugh's predecessor Cliff to stand as a stalking horse and Glenn is keen to keep Hugh in the frame whilst his boss is in Australia. Fortunately Tom has a dark secret which is just what Tucker is looking for but will it be enough?

Spinners and Losers

2007

Spinners and Losers poster
8.7

Peter Mannion's speech on immigration, leaking the PM's policy, did not have the effect Tucker desired and now the PM is resigning, leaving the way clear for the Nutters and their leader Tom. Ollie has been promised a job by young Nutter Ben Swain, Tucker's assistant has encouraged Hugh's predecessor Cliff to stand as a stalking horse and Glenn is keen to keep Hugh in the frame whilst his boss is in Australia. Fortunately Tom has a dark secret which is just what Tucker is looking for but will it be enough?

Spinners and Losers

2007

Spinners and Losers poster
8.7

Peter Mannion's speech on immigration, leaking the PM's policy, did not have the effect Tucker desired and now the PM is resigning, leaving the way clear for the Nutters and their leader Tom. Ollie has been promised a job by young Nutter Ben Swain, Tucker's assistant has encouraged Hugh's predecessor Cliff to stand as a stalking horse and Glenn is keen to keep Hugh in the frame whilst his boss is in Australia. Fortunately Tom has a dark secret which is just what Tucker is looking for but will it be enough?

Spinners and Losers

2007

Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa poster
6.6

When famous DJ Alan Partridge’s radio station is taken over by a new media conglomerate, it sets in motion a chain of events which see Alan having to work with the police to defuse a potentially violent siege.

Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa

2013

Tube Tales poster
5.3

Nine short stories based on the true experiences of London Underground passengers: "Mr. Cool" (Amy Jenkins, dir.); "Horny" (Stephen Hopkins); "Grasshopper" (Menhaj Huda); "My Father the Liar" (Bob Hoskins); "Bone" (Ewan McGregor); "Mouth" (Armando Iannucci); "A Bird in the Hand" (Jude Law); "Rosebud" (Gaby Dellal); "Steal Away" (Charles McDougall)

Tube Tales

1999

Tube Tales poster
5.3

Nine short stories based on the true experiences of London Underground passengers: "Mr. Cool" (Amy Jenkins, dir.); "Horny" (Stephen Hopkins); "Grasshopper" (Menhaj Huda); "My Father the Liar" (Bob Hoskins); "Bone" (Ewan McGregor); "Mouth" (Armando Iannucci); "A Bird in the Hand" (Jude Law); "Rosebud" (Gaby Dellal); "Steal Away" (Charles McDougall)

Tube Tales

1999

National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove poster
6.5

Seven-time BAFTA Award-winner Steve Coogan plays four roles in the world premiere stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s comedy masterpiece Dr. Strangelove. This explosively funny satire, about a rogue U.S General who triggers a nuclear attack. Based on the motion picture directed by Stanley Kubrick, screenplay by Stanley Kubrick, Terry Southern and Peter George, based on the book 'Red Alert' by Peter George.

National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove

2025

Paddington 4 poster
NR

The fourth installment of the franchise. Plot TBA

Paddington 4

The Rise of the Nutters poster
8.6

With Hugh in Australia and Glenn in Wales, Ollie is left in charge, feeding policies to junior minister Ben Swain. He is one of the 'Nutters', the group keen to take power when the P.M. resigns and keen to make a name for himself - which he does in the wrong sense when Jeremy Paxman skewers him on 'Newsnight'. This is music to Tucker's ears as it is in his interest for the P.M. to remain in power for as long as he can. Ollie's new girlfriend Emma is working for Shadow Minister Peter Mannion and hopes to impress by stealing one of Ollie's idea for use on their immigration policy though things do not go fully to plan.

The Rise of the Nutters

2007

The Rise of the Nutters poster
8.6

With Hugh in Australia and Glenn in Wales, Ollie is left in charge, feeding policies to junior minister Ben Swain. He is one of the 'Nutters', the group keen to take power when the P.M. resigns and keen to make a name for himself - which he does in the wrong sense when Jeremy Paxman skewers him on 'Newsnight'. This is music to Tucker's ears as it is in his interest for the P.M. to remain in power for as long as he can. Ollie's new girlfriend Emma is working for Shadow Minister Peter Mannion and hopes to impress by stealing one of Ollie's idea for use on their immigration policy though things do not go fully to plan.

The Rise of the Nutters

2007

Armando's Tale of Charles Dickens poster
6.0

Armando Iannucci presents a personal argument in praise of the genius of Charles Dickens. Through the prism of the author's most autobiographical novel, David Copperfield, Armando looks beyond Dickens - the national institution - and instead explores the qualities of Dickens's work that still make him one of the best British writers. While Dickens is often celebrated for his powerful depictions of Victorian England and his role as a social reformer, this programme foregrounds the elements of his writing which make him worth reading, as much for what he tells us about ourselves in the twenty-first century as our ancestors in the nineteenth. Armando argues that Dickens's remarkable use of language and his extraordinary gift for creating characters make him a startlingly experimental and psychologically penetrating writer who demands not just to be adapted for television but to be read and read again.

Armando's Tale of Charles Dickens

2012

Anglian Lives: Alan Partridge poster
7.9

A documentary on the life and career of Norwich's finest broadcaster, Alan Partridge. In the programme, Alan is asked tough questions about his divorce, Toblerone addiction and his autobiography 'Bouncing Back' by formidable interviewer Ray Woollard.

Anglian Lives: Alan Partridge

2003

No artwork available
NR

The founder of a Snapchat-like social media platform races to deal with the company's exponential growth and devastating leak of users' private data.

Growth

Clinton: His Struggle with Dirt poster
7.4

A mockumentary taking a comic-look at how the Lewinsky scandal is perceived in the year 2028.

Clinton: His Struggle with Dirt

1998

Clinton: His Struggle with Dirt poster
7.4

A mockumentary taking a comic-look at how the Lewinsky scandal is perceived in the year 2028.

Clinton: His Struggle with Dirt

1998

Clinton: His Struggle with Dirt poster
7.4

A mockumentary taking a comic-look at how the Lewinsky scandal is perceived in the year 2028.

Clinton: His Struggle with Dirt

1998

Alan Partridge's Country Ramble poster
7.0

Alan Partridge presents a country ramble through the East Anglian countryside.

Alan Partridge's Country Ramble

1995