To Play the King  (1994)

Theatrical Release Information:
To Play the King

This two-part British miniseries, a sequel to 1990's House of Cards, finds the shrewd but scheming conservative politician Francis Urquhart (Ian Richardson) has risen to the position of Prime Minister. Urquhart soon pits himself in a battle of wits with England's newly crowned King (Michael Kitchen) in a struggle for political control of the nation. The PM finds his Majesty to be a fierce adversary, but with the help of his top advisor and mistress, Sarah Harding (Kitty Aldridge), Urquhart discovers information about the Royal Family that could prove disastrous to the monarch's public image. But does he dare to reveal it, and run the risk of bringing the British Monarchy to a crashing halt? Ian Richardson's performance earned him a Best Actor nomination in the 1994 BAFTA Television Awards. This series was later followed by The Final Cut. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide