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Ian Fletcher, formerly the Head of the Olympic Deliverance Commission, has taken up the position of Head of Values at the BBC.
Genre: Comedy
Cast:Hugh Bonneville , Monica Dolan , Sarah Parish , Jason Watkins , Jessica Hynes , Hugh Skinner , Nina Sosanya , Jonathan Bailey , Ophelia Lovibond , David Westhead , David Tennant , Ivan Gonzalez , Rufus Jones , Max Olesker , Daniel Ings , Alex Beckett , Sara Pascoe , Joel Fry
S1.E1 ∙ Episode #1.1
With the Olympics over Ian Fletcher joins the BBC as its new head of values and has trouble finding his office. Dim young intern Will introduces him to Simon Harwood, the director general's right hand man and he attends a meeting along with senior communications officer Tracey Pritchard, head of output Anna Rampton and Neil Reid, who believes the BBC should be more Cornwall-friendly. Producer Lucy Freeman plans a rural series, 'Britain's Tastiest Villages' but proposed host Clare Balding is doing a dog show for ITV so Lucy and Anna go after Carol Vorderman instead. Carol is not fooled into believing that she was first choice and refuses to commit. After trying to placate professional Cornishman Nigel Trescott Ian finds himself chairing his first meeting where he is perturbed, not only by the Cornish debate but by the presence of ridiculous PR woman Siobhan Sharpe, whom he knows of old.
S1.E2 ∙ Episode #1.2
Accompanied by Tracey and the annoying Siobhan Ian travels to Manchester for a live broadcast on the 'Woman's Hour' radio show, answering accusations of ageism against the BBC by presenter Sally Wingate. Siobhan misguidedly puts Ian on Twitter to show that he is cool but Tracey and Ian see a far more logical counter being the news that Carol Vorderman, over fifty but still glamorous, is presenting 'Britain's Tastiest Village'. Back in London Lucy and entertainments producer meet Carol - who has agreed to do the show - but complications arise when Clare Balding turns up, also happy to commit. Lucy has to tell Carol she is not wanted but, having seen a possible rival, Clare also pulls out. Fortunately Ian saves the day by announcing on 'Woman's Hour' that Sally Wingate will be the presenter.
S1.E3 ∙ Episode #1.3
Ian chairs a meeting on how to commemorate the death of BBC founder Lord Reith, which results in Will sending out envelopes inviting people to a celebration of Reith, a simple task that he gets wrong. Whilst Siobhan suggests a different logo for the BBC and Anna gives new writer Dan Stephenson a baptism by fire current affairs head Neil Reid is reported over a mix-up of pictures, substituting one of actress Trudie Styler for the Syrian dictator's wife. Ian has his own troubles. His salary has come under scrutiny and the Daily Telegraph newspaper is threatening to expose it.
S1.E4 ∙ Episode #1.4
As dim Will battles on, putting the invitations in the wrong envelopes, Ian faces accusations not just about his salary but that he took Sally on holiday on expenses. He faces both a tribunal resulting in a cut in his pay and Sally, who comes to say that she wants no more to do with him though, on the plus side, he gets a script he has written accepted. Short skirts worn by 'Newsnight' presenter Indira Sahni also court controversy, appearing on YouTube whilst Anna finally secures Gary Lineker and Holly Willoughby for 'Britain's Tastiest Village' and Siobhan's foolish replacement for the BBC logo is predictably rejected.
S2.E1 ∙ Episode #2.1
An impending visit from Prince Charles causes havoc at the Broadcasting House. Secondary stories include Ian Fletcher getting his own office, and issues with Jeremy Clarkson.
S2.E2 ∙ Episode #2.2
A game of Management Musical Chairs starts with the advertising of a new and important role, namely the Director of Better.
S2.E3 ∙ Episode #2.3
The new Director of Better has been crowned but no-one on the management team is quite clear what the job entails.
S2.E4 ∙ Episode #2.4
It's all change on the corporate merry-go-round and it's down to Head of Values Ian Fletcher to try and steer the BBC ship through increasingly choppy waters.
S3.E1 ∙ Episode #3.1
The BBC charter is up for renewal, so the new head of inclusivity, director of betterment, and director of values get together to prepare their speech to the MP's. Meanwhile, Will suggests the idea of a show that newly-promoted Izzy loves.
S3.E2 ∙ Episode #3.2
The senior civil servant with responsibility for Charter Renewal negotiations visits the BBC to see what a normal day at the corporation looks like, and the campaign to launch user-generated content platform "BBC Me" gathers pace.
S3.E3 ∙ Episode #3.3
Having dismissed the idea of losing gardening programmes as a way of saving money, the Renewal Team propose that getting rid of the BBC Big Swing Band might be an option - but it turns into a PR disaster. Meanwhile, Siobhan decides to create a launch trail for BBC ME that will go viral, with Will delegated to stand in the main reception of New Broadcasting House to try to persuade various celebrities to contribute selfies for it.
S3.E4 ∙ Episode #3.4
News of the plan to axe the Big Swing Band causes thousands of complaints from high level performers including musician Jools Holland - mistakenly called Jews Holland by the faulty sub-titling system, which is apparently irreversible. A damage limitation meeting is called, proposing that Anna gives a live interview to rectify matters but when she walks into a door and is concussed Ian has to take her place, not very successfully. Will only manages to get one celebrity, Hugh Grant, to consent to a selfie but Izzy's concern for him antagonizes Jack.
S3.E5 ∙ Episode #3.5
News that 'Strictly Come Dancing' hostess Claudia Winkleman is leaving for a rival channel causes panic and another meeting with Izzy coming to the rescue by suggesting Claudia is given 'On Your Bike'. Izzy herself is perturbed when Hugh Grant's agent accuses the BBC of using his selfie for commercial purposes and demands a huge donation to charity so Will takes upon himself to intervene. Meanwhile Ben and Jerry are confused as to which of them has been sacked and Ian is shocked to learn that his head of output has deserted to Netflix, having heard of further job cuts of which Ian knows nothing.
S3.E6 ∙ Episode #3.6
With Claudia Winkleman on side to host 'On Your Bike' the deal is jeopardized when it transpires that Amanda Holden has already signed for the show. Izzy is relieved to find that the Hugh Grant crisis is over thanks to Will door-stopping Sir David Attenborough and Will doubly saves the day by suggesting that Amanda and Claudia present two separate cycling shows - winning Izzy's undying affection, much to Jack's annoyance. At the launch party of BBC Me Lucy has an announcement and Anna a proposal for Ian. The evening is almost ruined by another of Siobhan's daft ideas but Ian turns it into a huge success - and how.
S4.E0 ∙ Episode #4.0
Ian Fletcher chairs the first virtual meeting of the COVID-19 Bounce Back Group to discuss what to do once the BBC has run out of repeats to repeat.
