This is one of those political dramas that truly stands out from the crowd, largely thanks to Ian Richardson’s exceptional performance as Urquhart—a character who embodies ambition so completely he would likely impress even Machiavelli himself. He portrays "Urquhart," the chief whip for a government recently changed in leadership. While “Collingwood” (David Lyon) ascends to the highest position, his decision not to advance this local confidant proves to be an error. With encouragement from his seemingly more driven wife, "Elizabeth" (Diane Fletcher), and leveraging the innocence of the young journalist "Mattie" (Susannah Harker), he embarks on a captivatingly wicked path—a sort of yellow, or maybe black, road toward Number 10. The writing demonstrates a sharp understanding of how political maneuvering operates, with "Urquhart" using his direct addresses to the camera to attempt explanations for his actions, offer assessments of those around him, and showcase his amusingly effective manipulation of others’ aspirations to gain power. The supporting actors are perfectly captured by a brief scene at a party gathering where we witness his frank opinions about each colleague in a decidedly unflattering manner. Notable performances also come from Miles Anderson as the drug-using press officer "O'Neill" and Colin Jeavons as his subtly sinister deputy, “Stamper,” as they orchestrate events and ruin careers. It’s a wonderfully biting satire of a self-absorbed and ineffective political elite, illustrating the coldness of an intelligent individual in a drama I would happily revisit repeatedly.

Source on TMDB