Party Animals

Party Animals comes from the creative minds behind This Life and No Angels. It follows the exploits of twentysomethings Scott (Andrew Buchan), Danny (Matt Smith), Ashika (Shelley Conn) and Kirsty (Andrea Riseborough) – young researchers and advisors working in a high-stakes world - politics. This gang work hard but party harder; most of their days are spent worrying about love, sex, rent oh and running our country.

Scott and Danny Foster are sons of an ex-labour MP, so they have grown up with politics in their blood, Danny is the devoted researcher of Home Office Junior Minster Jo Porter, who is struggling with a difficult home life which she tries to balance with the current government crisis. As Danny is caught in the cross-fire he finds the presence of Kirsty, an intern, all too distracting and is heading towards a big mistake.

Scott spent his time working in Labour lobbying – his schmoozing and contacts, though, are a little dated and he is asked by his new boss Stephen Templeton to secure new friends, amongst a rising Tory party. It’s with his pursuit of new contacts that leads him to meet Ashika – chief advisor to shadow Minister James Northcote which presents Scott with an opportunity to good to pass up.

Ashika has her own agenda – constantly challenged by rumours of an affair with Northcote she aspires to achieve greater things on her own and branch out if the right opportunity presents itself. It’s only when a mistake by Danny and a further rumour that sets in motion a chain of events that could change the events of all four lives involved.

The script is witty and engaging and the actors involved give very credible performances, with special mentions going to both Buchan and Smith.

When on BBC2 I believe Party Animals was met with reasonably favourable responses critically however the viewing figures weren’t so promising. Hopefully it will discover a larger audience on DVD – if not it seems the chances of a second series will be very unlikely. As far as the actual series – it quite fast paced and given its subject matter – Politics – it’s quite intriguing.

Due mainly to likeable characters, funny moments and laid-back vibe Party Animals certainly has an appeal. Maybe it could be the government's best promotional tool when trying to get the youth of today to vote – its certainly upped my interest in politics.