James Smith makes a put-upon official’s anger worth listening to. As Glenn Cullen in The Thick of It, he gives an abrasive ensemble comedy some feeling without asking it to stop being funny.
Fi1m perspective
In The Thick of It (2005), Glenn Cullen has the difficult job of being angry in a programme already crowded with anger. James Smith makes his indignation carry weight, so the abuse registers as something done to a person rather than merely another opportunity for a good line. We felt for Glenn because Smith lets us take his grievance seriously even while the programme encourages us to enjoy the bullying. That is the strongest reason to seek him out: he makes a supporting character worth caring about.
Smith had spent years in supporting parts on stage, television and film before Glenn made him widely known. He played him across all four series, from 2005 to 2012, within an ensemble whose differing reactions keep the ministerial panic from becoming monotonous. Joanna Scanlan’s Terri Coverley holds herself in check; Rebecca Front lets us feel Nicola Murray’s distress. Smith’s indignation gives us another response to the pressure, especially welcome when the insults threaten to drown everybody out.
In the Loop (2009) puts him back among Armando Iannucci’s officials, as Michael Rodgers. Its officials let wounded pride shape the prospect of war, and we recommend it strongly despite the relentless abuse sometimes overwhelming the characters. Peter Capaldi makes the bullying horribly enjoyable. Our enthusiasm for it does not require us to pretend that Smith is its chief attraction; the longer acquaintance with Glenn gives us more to value in his acting.
Later supporting roles include Lord Carrington in The Iron Lady (2011), Trevor in Boomers (2014–2016) and Godolphin in The Favourite (2018). It would be a mistake to expect every supporting part to give him as much to work with as four series do. Start with The Thick of It, and pay attention to the person left receiving the insult.
Biography
James Smith is an English actor. He is best known for playing senior special adviser Glenn Cullen in all four series of the BBC satirical comedy The Thick of It (2005–2012). He reprised a similar role as Michael Rodgers in the 2009 spin-off film In the Loop.
Smith has appeared in supporting roles in films including The Iron Lady (2011) as Lord Carrington and The Favourite (2018) as Sidney Godolphin. His television credits include Grandma's House (2010–2012) as Clive, Boomers (2014–2016) as Trevor, and Carnage (2017). He is set to appear in the 2025 film Vanilla.
