Probably without any Malcolm Tucker-style outbursts!

He’s probably best known for helping create the very sweary No10 spin doctor Malcolm Tucker.

And now it has been announced that Armando Iannucci will be writing the next adventure for a rather milder-mannered creature –Paddington.

The creator of Veep and The Thick Of It will be collaborating  with his regular writing partner Simon Blackwell on the fourth big-screen outing for the Peruvian bear.

Blackwell is also known for his collaborations with Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain on Peep Show, writing the comedy series Back, starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb, and creating  Breeders with Chris Addison and its star Martin Freeman.

It's also been reported by Variety that Dougal Wilson will direct the film. He also helmed 2024's third instalment, Paddington In Peru, below, taking over from Paul King.

King also wrote the first two Paddington movies, with Ghosts star Simon Farnaby collaborating on the second. A team comprising Mark Burton, Jon Foster, and James Lamont penned the third.

Iannucci can currently be seen on Channel 4’s Taskmaster (pictured, top) and hosts the Radio 4 programme and podcast Strong Message Here about manipulative political language.

Peter Capaldi – who played Malcolm Tucker in The Thick Of It, below – previously appeared in the first two Paddington films as  Mr Curry, the mean-spirited neighbour of the Brown family that takes in the lost bear.

Published: 26 May 2026