Party Animals (BBC-2 2007 Matt Smith, Andrew Buchan)

Party Animals takes us on an inside look at the work and personal lives of a group of twentysomething researchers and advisors working in the political world of Westminster. Scott (Andrew Buchan) and Danny (Matt Smith) are brothers whose father was a former MP. Scott is researcher for Home Office Junior Minister Jo Porter (Raquel Cassidy) whose own personal and political life is going through some major dramas. Scott is working as a lobbyist but discontented with his lot. He is also interested in pursuing a relationship with Ashika Chandirimani (Shelley Conn), who is working as chief advisor to Tory James Northcote (Patrick Baladi). Ashika is also keen to pursue a career as a backbencher.

Party Animals tries hard to be a This Life (and made for the same people) for the junior political set but doesn’t quite pull it off. Some good strong storylines though in amongst the swearing and the sex. One of the major pluses of the series is the positive aspect it shows. The young politicos really do believe they can make a difference but it does fall into the classic cliche of filming with the London Eye or Big Ben in shot, just so we don’t forget where we are.

production details
UK / BBC Two – World Productions / 8×50 minute episodes / Broadcast 31 January – 21 March 2007

Creators: Robert Jones, Ben Richards / Writers: Ben Richards (episodes 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8), Robert Jones (episode 3) and Fintan Ryan (episodes 4 and 5) / Political Consultant: Martin Bright / Producer: Eleanor Greene / Costumes: Simone Grace-Coleman / Production Design: Anna Higginson / Executive Producers: Simon Heat, Polly Hill

cast
ANDREW BUCHAN as Scott Foster
SHELLEY CONN as Ashika Chandirimani
ANDREA RISEBOROUGH as Kirsty Mackenzie
MATT SMITH as Danny Foster
PATRICK BALADI as James Northcote
CLEMENCY BURTON-HILL as Sophie Montgomery
PIP CARTER as Matt Baker
RAQUEL CASSIDY as Jo Porter
COLIN SALMON as Stephen Templeton
PETER WIGHT as George Morgan