Ballot Monkeys

Did You Know?

• A sequel series, Power Monkeys, began airing on 8 June 2016.
• Power Monkeys focuses more broadly on current events such as the EU referendum or the American election.
• Power Monkeys retains the same up-to-the-minute production style as Ballot Monkeys.

Overview

The comedy series follows four separate campaign buses for the Conservatives, Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and UKIP, with the groups never interacting except for a single phone call at the very end of the final episode. Every scene takes place either inside or just outside the buses, and the humor comes largely from the characters speaking honestly in private about their parties and campaigns in ways they would never do publicly.

On the Conservative bus, the nominal leader is Martin, played by Hugh Dennis, a frustrated one-nation conservative who frequently clashes with Baz, played by Jimmy Akingbola. Baz is well-connected and openly backs what he sees as Boris Johnson’s inevitable rise, showing a much greater willingness to use cynical campaign tactics. Siobhan, a women’s issues consultant played by Hattie Morahan, feels sidelined by both men. The team also includes Ruby, a dim and politically clueless intern played by Liz Kingsman, whom the group is forced to hire because she is the daughter of a major party donor.

The Labour bus features Jack, played by Trevor Cooper, a longtime party supporter who is confused and upset by how the party, politics, and campaigning have changed. Social media organizer Conor, played by Theo Barklem-Biggs, keeps suggesting unhelpful online strategies, much to the annoyance of coordinator Christine, played by Daisy Haggard. American political strategy consultant Melanie, played by Kathleen Rose Perkins, frequently tries to secure a job in the 2016 US presidential campaign, and her advice irritates her English colleagues.

On the Liberal Democrat bus, Kevin, played by Ben Miller, is dismayed by his party’s poor electoral chances, the last five years of coalition government, and his recent divorce. He suffers a nervous breakdown and becomes increasingly erratic as the series goes on. Assistant Charlotte, played by Esther Smith, tries to help him, but party grandee Simon, played by Michael Fenton Stevens, repeatedly refuses to admit there is a problem.