QI

TV panel show
BBC Two / BBC One / BBC Four
2003 - 2025
324 episodes (22 series)

Panel game that contains lots of difficult questions and a large amount of quite interesting facts. Stars Sandi Toksvig, Stephen Fry and Alan Davies.

Continues on Tuesday 31st December on BBC2 at 9pm with Series V, Episode 10
Catch-up on Series V, Christmas Special

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All series

QI. Stephen Fry. Copyright: TalkbackThames

Pilot (2002)

A pilot episode of QI was produced to test out the show.

The first series of QI, which was based around the letter 'A', made its debut on BBC Two in September 2003. The series answered "an avalanche of As", with the panellists being asked about Adams, Alans, Andersons, aquatic animals, astronomy and the antidotes of QI's patron saint - Pliny the Elder.

Series B (2004)

Following the success of the first series, QI came back in October 2004 for its 'B' series. The episodes got the panellists to bone up on 'B' byways, beetles, birds, bees, beavers, bombs, blue and boiling points.

Series C (2005)

The crazy canyons of the land of 'C' were what it was all about in the third series. First broadcast in 2005, these episodes contain conundrums on cartography, campanology, cockneys, clowns, China, chickens, Chelmsford and custard.

QI. Image shows from L to R: Phill Jupitus, Jimmy Carr. Copyright: TalkbackThames

Series D (2006)

The 2006 series invited viewers to delight in the delicious 'D' diner and intake a delivery of drink, dogs, danger, death, differences, denial and deprivation. This fourth series also featured QI's first Halloween and Children in Need specials.

QI. Vic Reeves. Copyright: TalkbackThames

Series E (2007)

The fifth series aimed to exterminate the end of 'E' ignorance; engaging with electricity, eating, England, Europe, empires, entertainment and elephants in the process. All the episodes in this series had an 'Elephant in the Room' bonus. Panellists could score 10 points if they spot a reference to an elephant in any of the questions. Series E also saw the introduction of the 'QI Quickie' - originally meant to be a vodcast, each one contains some unbroadcast material.

Series F (2008 - 2009)

Here is our guide to Series F of QI, the first series of the show to be broadcast on BBC One. It was also the first series to be given a longer 45 minute extended repeat, titled QI XL.

QI. Image shows from L to R: Alan Davies, Stephen Fry. Copyright: TalkbackThames

Series G (2009 - 2010)

The seventh series of QI was the first to be extended to 16 episodes long. It covered everything interesting beginning with 'G' - including geography, geometry, genius and Germany. This was the first series to have some episodes broadcast transmitted before the 9pm watershed, and also the first series to feature an episode with more than three guests.

Series H (2010 - 2011)

Our guide to the eighth series. The show hovers over "H" subjects, including happiness, holidays, history, hoaxes, horses and humanity. This series saw QI broadcast its hundredth episode and the show's inventor, John Lloyd, guest on the panel for the first time.

Series I (2011 - 2012)

The ninth series includes everything interesting beginning with 'I', including idleness, illness, insects, inventions, intelligence and injustice. This series of QI saw the series return to its original home on BBC Two.

Making Of Special (2011)

A special documentary episode about the making of QI.

Shakespeare Season Special (2012)

Special episode dedicate to 'The Immortal Bard', as part of the BBC's Shakespeare Unlocked season.

Series J (2012 - 2013)

QI goes into jubilant double figures (numerically speaking) with its tenth series, jesting over subjects starting with 'J'... such as jungles, jeopardy, journalism, jobs, justice and journeys. This 16-part series features 13 panellists making their debuts, including two from the southern hemisphere who have never appeared on British TV before. This series also includes the first episode in which all three guests are women.

Series K (2013 - 2014)

The 11th series of the brainy panel show...

Series L (2014 - 2015)

Each episode includes a 'Spend A Penny' bonus, awarded if the guests can spot when a question is related to a lavatory-based theme.

QI. Image shows from L to R: Sheila Hancock, Jimmy Carr. Copyright: TalkbackThames

Series M (2015 - 2016)

The 13th series of the show, recorded in Spring 2015, sees the programme reach the half way mark in its plan to cover the whole alphabet, and Stephen leaving as host.

QI. Image shows from L to R: Alan Davies, Sandi Toksvig. Copyright: TalkbackThames

Series N (2016 - 2017)

New series, new letter, new host. Sandi Toksvig now navigates QI as it looks at everything interesting beginning with "N".

Series O (2017 - 2018)

OMG! Sandi, Alan, and others are opening up to options and opinions beginning with "O".

Series P (2018 - 2019)

Pleasing picks of peculiar knowledge as Sandi and Alan get pedantic over the letter "P".

QI. Sandi Toksvig. Copyright: TalkbackThames

Series Q (2019 - 2020)

Quite Interesting queues up for questions about "Q".

Sport Relief Special (2020)

A special episode was made for Sport Relief 2020, with Sandi and Alan joined by Tom Allen, Susan Calman, Zoe Lyons, Phill Jupitus, Mark Watson and Sara Pascoe.

QI. Image shows from L to R: Sandi Toksvig, Alan Davies

Series R (2020 - 2021)

Right. Time to get real with everything interesting starting with "R". Risky however, as the coronavirus pandemic struck half-way through the series recording, and some episodes were recorded without an audience.

QI. Image shows from L to R: Alan Davies, Sandi Toksvig

Series S (2021 - 2022)

Sandi and Alan return to the studio for Series S - but not the studio audience. As covid-19 is still around, the audience are at home watching virtually on their sofas, settees and seats, as the panel cover the silly, the spooky and the sensational.