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Season 1

The National Anthem

Prime Minister Michael Callow faces a shocking dilemma when Princess Susannah, a much-loved member of the Royal Family, is kidnapped.

Air date:
April 27, 2018
Writer:
Charlie Brooker
Director:
Otto Bathurst
Air date:
Writer:
Director:
April 27, 2018
Charlie Brooker
Otto Bathurst

Storyline

In a run-up to Christmas the British Prime Minister Michael Callow is woken up and shown a disturbing video. On it he sees that people's princess Susannah of Beaumont has been abducted and will allegedly be murdered unless he has sex with a pig on live television. An effort to trace the kidnapper on a deserted campus proves to be in vain and Michael dismisses his aides' suggestion that a porn star perform the bestiality with the PM's face digitally superimposed. News coverage and Internet tweeters go into overdrive as Michael ultimately does his duty, in a deserted room with one camera man and a seemingly contented pig. Despite being ordered not to look, millions of people tune in though their amusement soon turns to horror at what they see.

Trivia

  • Besides the original music by Martin Phipps, in one scene music by Max Richter ("Organum", from his album The Blue Notebooks) is used.
  • Anna Wilson-Jones and Alastair Mackenzie also worked together in Monarch of the Glen (2000).
  • French title: L'hymne national.
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