The leads are Paul Eddington as Jim Hacker, Nigel Hawthorne as Sir Humphrey Appleby, and Derek Fowlds as Bernard Woolley in the BBC satire Yes Minister.
Main cast
- Rt Hon. James ‘Jim’ Hacker MPPaul Eddington1–3Main
- Sir Humphrey Appleby KCBNigel Hawthorne1–3Main
- Bernard WoolleyDerek Fowlds1–3Main
Supporting cast
- Annie HackerDiana Hoddinott1–3Supp
- Frank WeiselNeil Fitzwiliam1–3Supp
- Sir Arnold RobinsonJohn Nettleton1–3Supp
- Bill Pritchard / variousGerald Sim1–3Supp
- Dorothy WainwrightDeborah Norton1–3Supp
Guest & voice
- Sir Desmond GlazebrookRichard Vernon1Guest
- Sir Frederick StewartMoray Watson2Guest
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About this cast
Yes Minister is a classic British political satire that follows the exploits of a newly appointed government minister, Jim Hacker. The show’s core dynamic revolves around the power struggle between Hacker, his Permanent Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby, and his Principal Private Secretary Bernard Woolley.
FAQs
Who plays Jim Hacker in Yes Minister?
Paul Eddington plays the Rt Hon. James Hacker MP, the minister at the centre of the series.
Who plays Sir Humphrey Appleby in Yes Minister?
Nigel Hawthorne plays Sir Humphrey Appleby KCB, the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Administrative Affairs.
How many series of Yes Minister are there?
The original run of Yes Minister comprises three series broadcast on BBC Two between 1980 and 1984.
Is Yes Minister based on real events?
While not directly based on specific real events, the series was heavily informed by the experiences of co-writer Antony Jay and detailed research into Whitehall politics, giving it a strong basis in reality.
Did Yes Minister have a sequel series?
Yes, the series was followed by Yes, Prime Minister, which continued the story after Jim Hacker becomes Prime Minister.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026