10 Greatest Character Introductions In Sitcom History

Acting as the antihero of the BBC political satire, Peter Capaldi’s terrifying spin doctor was introduced in the first episode’s opening scene. Immediately we see the fear that he inspires through the halls of Westminster when under-pressure minister Cliff Lawton panics as he’s told that Tucker is waiting for him in his office (“Malcolm? Where? In there? Why?”). Lawton knows his days are numbered, and Tucker confirms his fears - even taking the liberty of drafting him his own letter of resignation.

From the beginning, it's clear that Tucker will stop at nothing to protect the party - engineering a man’s resignation is just another day at the office for him. We also see Capaldi’s unmatched ability to deliver a barbed, foulmouthed one-liner, particularly when he informs Lawton that he’s already arranged the now ex-minister the usual “soapy titwank farewell” at Downing Street.

This scene both sets the tone for the show, hinting at the constant back-stabbing and political wrangling it depicts, and also perfectly introduces the man responsible for much of it.