The story was adapted by Andrew Davies from a novel by Michael Dobbs. In it, the fictional Chief Whip, Francis Urquhart (the initials, "F.U.", were deliberately chosen), played by Ian Richardson, is seen engaging in all the skullduggery of power politics, including murder, in his efforts to become Prime Minister. Susannah Harker plays Mattie Storin, the journalist who tries to uncover his misdeeds.

There were two sequels: To Play the King in 1994 (with the King, resembling Prince Charles, played by Michael Kitchen) and The Final Cut in 1995. It has been said that Richardson agreed to appear in a third series only on the understanding that the character got his come-uppance.