In the Loop

Tom Hollander's Simon Foster is the kind of fresh-faced idealist who entered politics because he felt he could make a difference. Now he is secretary of state for the Department of International Development and about to become embroiled in a brewing war in the Middle East. He seems to be against the war but winds up appearing the ideal hawk in the eyes of the American and British governments. Soon he is the toast of Washington, hob-nobbing with Army Major Miller (James Gandolfini) and set to become a helpless innocent thrust into the snake pit of international diplomacy. Naturally, foul-mouthed spin doctor Malcolm Tucker (Peter Capaldi) is never far from the action.