Brian and Maggie Docuseries: All we know About Steve Coogan & Harriet Walter-led Political Drama

Channel 4’s gripping new drama Brian and Maggie has just unveiled its first trailer, promising an intense retelling of a pivotal political moment. Starring Steve Coogan and Harriet Walter, the series explores an infamous interview between a journalist and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher that reshaped British politics. 

Written by James Graham and inspired by Rob Burley’s book, it offers a thought-provoking dive into power, journalism, and democracy. The show doesn’t just recount history; it comments on the decrease of in-depth political interviews and their implications for modern governance. 

The buzz surrounding the show’s trailer only heightens anticipation for this compelling drama. Want more details? From the star-studded cast to the creative genius behind the series, we’ve got you covered. Stay tuned, as we’ll keep updating this guide with the latest news and exclusive insights about Brian and Maggie!

Release date & Where to Watch

Brian and Maggie, a two-part drama, premieres on Channel 4 on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, at 9 pm GMT. The second episode airs on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at 9 pm GMT. 

Meanwhile, Channel 4+ subscribers, who pay £3.99 per month or £39.99 annually, can enjoy early access and stream both episodes immediately via the online service.

What is the plot of Brian And Maggie?

Brian and Maggie explores the dramatic story behind the infamous 1989 interview between Brian Walden, a former Labour MP turned journalist, and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. 

Based on Rob Burley’s book- Why Is This Lying Bastard Lying to Me: Searching for the Truth on Political TV, the two-part Channel 4 drama captures how a 45-minute political exchange transformed into one of the most talked-about interviews in British history. 

Though Walden and Thatcher were longtime friends, the interview, centered on her leadership struggles and Chancellor Nigel Lawson's resignation, led to a chain of events that ultimately ended her premiership. The fallout was so severe that the two never spoke again.

The docuseries examines Walden's evolving relationship with the "Iron Lady." As Thatcher's political dominance grew, the boundaries between friendship and professional integrity blurred, culminating in the 1989 showdown. The drama delves into this tension, questioning whether the decline of in-depth political interviews signals a threat to modern democracy.

Brian And Maggie Lineup

• Steve Coogan (The Reckoning, Philomena) as Brian Walden

Coogan reflects to BBC about his journey, “It’s great to be telling a story from the era of the sorely missed forensic interview—two giants of their time locking horns to determine the future of Britain. To act opposite Harriet Walter with a script by James Graham directed by Stephen Frears is a challenge of the very best kind!”

• Harriet Walter (Succession, Ted Lasso, Silo) as prime minister Margaret Thatcher

Walter shared her excitement about her journey to BBC, “I have to travel a great distance to reach Maggie Thatcher, but with James’s brilliant script, Stephen Frears to guide me, and Steve Coogan to accompany me, I have the dream team to help me achieve it.”

• Paul Clayton as No10 press secretary Bernard Ingham 
• Ross Armstrong as John Wakefield 
• Tom Mothersdale as David Cox 
• Emma Sidi as Sue Richardson 
• Karan Gill as Vinay Ahmed 
• Simon Paisley Day as Ian Gow MP
• Paul Higgins as Geoffrey Howe 
• Nick Sampson as Alan Walters 
• Ivan Kaye as Nigel Lawson 
• James Fleet as Ronnie Millar 
• Victoria Evaristo as Pam 
• Veronique as Marcia Lecky 
• Ian Kaye as Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson
• Doug Berry as Michael Heseltine MP 

Is There a Trailer for Brian And Maggie?

In the first trailer for Brian and Maggie, Harriet Walter captures Margaret Thatcher’s signature look, from her helmet-style hair to her high-neck blouses, pearl necklaces, and decorative brooches. 

The trailer opens with a tense moment as Walter’s Thatcher delivers a chilling line to Steve Coogan’s Brian Walden: “One day, someone will come for me.” Walden responds, “I reckon there’s no one you wouldn’t be able to see off, Margaret.”

The tension builds as the interview shifts to the controversial resignation of Chancellor Nigel Lawson. Walden confronts Thatcher about her leadership style, asking, “You come over as being someone who one of your backbenchers said is slightly off her trolley, authoritarian, domineering, refusing to listen to anybody else – why? Why cannot you publicly project what you have just told me is your private character?”

The trailer concludes with Thatcher’s fiery response: “Brian, if anyone’s coming over as domineering in this interview, it’s you.” This moment sets the stage for a heated conversation, hinting at the explosive interview that would captivate millions of viewers.

You can also watch the original 1989 interview that inspired Brian and Maggie. Watch it below.

Who were Margaret Thatcher and Brian Walden?

Margaret Thatcher, famously known as The Iron Lady, was a prominent British politician who served as the MP for Finchley starting in 1959. She became the leader of the Conservative Party in 1975 and later served as Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990. Thatcher was interviewed multiple times by Brian Walden, a former Labour MP who turned political interviewer.

Brian Walden represented Birmingham All Saints, later Birmingham Ladywood, in Parliament from 1964 to 1977 before resigning to pursue a career in political journalism. He became renowned as the host of ITV's Weekend World. Margaret Thatcher passed away in 2013 at the age of 87, while Brian Walden died in 2019 at the age of 86.

Behind the Scenes

Brian and Maggie is a 2x60-minute drama from Baby Cow Productions, commissioned by Channel 4 and distributed internationally by BBC Studios. It is directed by Academy Award nominee and BAFTA-winner Stephen Frears and written by RTS award-winner James Graham. 

Graham in an interview with The Guardian described the series as addressing "a big, important question" about the crisis in political interviews, adding, "We really need to talk about that, talk about talking, have a conversation about conversations and why they’re not as fulfilling and satisfying and illuminating as they used to be."

The series is produced by Dan Winch, with executive producers Sarah Monteith, Delyth Scudamore, and Rupert Majendie. Rob Burley, the book’s author, also serves as an associate producer. 

Sarah Monteith, CEO of Baby Cow Productions, said to BBC, "Baby Cow are proud to be making this important drama with the very best of British talent, bringing this extraordinary relationship in British politics to a new generation. This story may leave many wishing for a return to the TV interviewing rigour that once underpinned our democracy.”