Stephen Merchant Puts 'Hat In Ring' To Play Jacob Rees-Mogg In Series

When the inevitable TV drama of the last days of Boris Johnson's time as prime minister get made there's one casting choice too perfect to pass up on.

The end of Johnson's time as prime minister, described by some as 'Clownfall', has been packed full of scandal, dramatic moments and a hell of a load of resignations.

While it looked at one point as though the Queen might have to drag him out of Downing Street herself, Johnson today announced he was stepping down following mass resignations from his cabinet.

He's not going right away as he signalled his intention to stay on until the Tory leadership contest was concluded and a new prime minister chosen, though he is facing calls to quit much sooner.

This is all perfect fodder for some sort of TV drama, and Stephen Merchant has thrown his hat in the ring to play Jacob Rees-Mogg when that time comes.

Throwing my hat in the ring for the six-part TV farce: pic.twitter.com/M2yvTQEvl2

— Stephen Merchant (@StephenMerchant) July 7, 2022

He said he wanted to be cast in 'the six-part TV farce', and honestly he'd probably do a great job of playing Rees-Mogg.

The actor and comedian tweeted out a picture of the Tory MP alongside an image of himself from Jojo Rabbit, where Merchant played a cruel enforcer of an evil regime days away from collapse.

While he burst onto the scene as a comedic actor, appearing alongside pal Ricky Gervais in the likes of The Office and Extras, Merchant has branched out into more dramatic fare in recent years.

He chilled audiences with his portrayal of serial killer Stephen Port in BBC drama Four Lives, so whether TV bosses want to portray 'Clownfall' as tragedy or farce he'd be up for it.

Colleagues are IMPLORING us to stand. We are considering our options and will act solely in the best interests of the country. pic.twitter.com/X9cfzUrqFK

— Stephen Mangan (@StephenMangan) July 7, 2022

Rees-Mogg is among the handful of cabinet ministers who has stuck by the prime minister right to the bitter end.

While almost everyone else saw the writing on the wall and abandoned the sinking ship of Johnson's government, Rees-Mogg continued to profess his loyalty to the prime minister.

Someone else who might be angling for a job in whatever TV venture spawns from all this political drama is Stephen Mangan, who appears to be aiming for the role of Rishi Sunak.

He tweeted out a picture of the former Chancellor alongside an image of himself from I'm Alan Partridge where he played Dan, one half of the 'sex people' couple Alan makes friends with.

The big grin and slick hair is definitely reminiscent of Sunak, whose resignation was one of the key factors in triggering an avalanche of departures from Johnson's government.