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Blackadder
1983 - 1989 8.0 (479 votes) 4 Seasons
Official Website
Genres
Comedy
Networks
BBC One
Created By
Richard Curtis
Rowan Atkinson
Ben Elton

Blackadder

The most gripping sitcom since 1380.

Overview

Black Adder traces the deeply cynical and self-serving lineage of various Edmund Blackadders throughout British history, from the muck of the Middle Ages to the frontline of the First World War.

Key Crew

Writer: Ben Elton, Richard Curtis

Producer: John Lloyd

Top Cast

Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson

Captain Edmund Blackadder

Tony Robinson
Tony Robinson

Private S. Baldrick

Hugh Laurie
Hugh Laurie

Lieutenant The Honourable George Colthurst St. Barleigh

Tim McInnerny
Tim McInnerny

Captain Kevin Darling

Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry

General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett

Seasons

Season 0 poster
Season 0 ()

No overview available.

31 episodes

Episodes
Episode 1: The Black Adder

Prince Edmund, Duke of York, is unhappy about the task he has been given, which is to arrange the festivities for both the Queen's birthday and the return of the Scottish hero Dougal McAngus to the court.

Runtime: 32 min
Episode 2: Blackadder's Christmas Carol
1988-12-23

Pleasant Ebenezer Blackadder is turned into a cruel and witty miser after seeing visions of his ancestors and descendants.

Runtime: 43 min
Episode 3: Back and Forth
1999-12-31

At a New Millennium Eve party Blackadder and Baldrick test their new time machine and ping pong through history encountering famous characters and changing events rather alarmingly....

Runtime: 33 min
Episode 4: Baldrick's Video Diary
2000-11-27

Behind the scenes of the Blackadder special 'Back and Forth'

Runtime: 29 min
Episode 5: Interview - Stephen Fry in Africa
2009-10-19

Stephen Fry talks about his time on the show, and his characters.

Runtime: 16 min
Episode 6: Richard Curtis & Ben Elton in Soho
2009-10-19

The writers chat about how the show was created.

Runtime: 17 min
Episode 7: Tony Robinson in London
2009-10-19

Tony Robinson talks about his time on Black Adder and his Baldrick character.

Runtime: 15 min
Episode 8: Miranda Richardson at the BBC
2009-10-19

Miranda Richardson is interviewed at the BBC about her time as the Queen on Blackadder as well as the other characters she played.

Runtime: 5 min
Episode 9: Hilary Bevan Jones at BAFTA
2009-10-19

Hilary Bevan Jones is interviewed.

Runtime: 5 min
Episode 10: Hugh Laurie on set in Hollywood
2009-10-19

Hugh Laurie chats about Blackadder and the various roles he played in the series.

Runtime: 5 min
Episode 11: Rik Mayall in London
2009-10-19

The legendary Rik Mayall chats about himself and how he took over the show as Lord Flashheart, in his own unique style.

Runtime: 5 min
Episode 12: Miranda, Tony, Tim & Patsy go back to the BBC
2009-10-19

Miranda, Tony, Patsy and Tim go back to the BBC to look at their old costumes. Do any of them still fit?

Runtime: 11 min
Episode 13: Interview - Rowan Atkinson

An Interview with Rowan Atkinson about his time as Blackadder

Runtime: 23 min
Episode 14: Interview - Rowan Atkinson #2

Rowan Atkinson continues to go over his time on Black Adder

Runtime: 24 min
Episode 15: Behind The Screen - Making Blackadder Goes Forth
1989-10-16

A rare look at what went on behind the scenes during the filming of Blackadder Goes Forth. Behind the Screen drops in during the production of Blackadder Goes Forth, to discover that the cast tend to eschew traditional rehearsals in favour of exhaustive periods of tweaking - or 'plumpening' - practically every line in the script for maximum comic effect. Includes interviews with writer Richard Curtis, producer John Lloyd and actors Rowan Atkinson (Captain Blackadder) Stephen Fry (General Melchett) and Tony Robinson (Private Baldrick).

Runtime: 8 min
Episode 16: The Shakespeare Sketch
1989-09-18

This non-canonical sketch was performed on stage at the Sadlers Wells Theatre on 18 September 1989. It was written for and performed at an AIDS benefit concert directed by Stephen Fry, and features Rowan Atkinson as a Blackadder-esque character chatting with Hugh Laurie as "Bill" Shakespeare, talking about cutting various sections of Hamlet – in particular the "To be or not to be" soliloquy. Ultimately, Blackadder talks Shakespeare down from an over-long speech to the familiar 'snappy' phrase. The sketch was available on video as part of Hysteria 2 – The Second Coming, released by Palace Video on 21 May 1990

Runtime: 5 min
Episode 17: Blackadder Rides Again
2008-12-25

It's 25 years since the first episode featuring the dastardly Blackadder made its debut. Now the iconic cast of the much-loved comedy appear together in a documentary for the first time.

Runtime: 65 min
Episode 18: The Cavalier Years
1988-11-13

A one-off edition of Blackadder set during the English Civil War, shown as part of the first Comic Relief Red Nose Day. With the English Civil War lost, Sir Edmund, as a known Cavalier, along with his ever-faithful dogsbody Baldrick must find a way to keep the defeated King Charles I alive and simultaneously keep his own head on his shoulders.

Runtime: 15 min
Episode 19: Red Nose Day Sketch
2023-03-17

Baldrick stars solo for the first time in 40 years when he reprises his role.

Runtime: N/A min
Episode 20: Blackadder: The Lost Pilot
2023-06-15

Sir Tony Robinson goes on a quest to discover the truth behind the Blackadder origin story. Tony's journey takes him back in time to find out where Blackadder really began, and to uncover the story of the never-before-broadcast Blackadder pilot episode. The climax of the programme will be a special screening of the never-before-broadcast pilot.

Runtime: 80 min
Episode 21: Blackadder: A Cunning Story
2023-06-16

Looking back at the making of the entire Blackadder series to commemorate the 40th anniversary, featuring contributions from Blackadder's biggest fans including Jack Whitehall, Darren Harriott, Sarah Hadland, Ardal O'Hanlon and Nina Wadia.

Runtime: 120 min
Episode 22: Blackadder Exclusive: The Whole Rotten Saga
2008-10-09

A look back at the making of the entire "Blackadder" series to commemorate the 25th anniversary.

Runtime: 92 min
Episode 23: Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments
2008-05-12

A countdown of the top 40 "Blackadder" moments chosen by cast and crew members, celebrity fans and 15 genuine Blackadders.

Runtime: 30 min
Episode 24: Blackadder and the King's Birthday
1998-11-14

A short sketch performed at the Prince of Wales' 50th Birthday Gala. It featured Rowan Atkinson as Lord Blackadder and Stephen Fry as King Charles II, and was televised on ITV (in the UK) on 14 November 1998.

Runtime: 5 min
Episode 25: Blackadder: The Army Years
2000-01-01

A short monologue performed at the Dominion Theatre for the Royal Variety Performance 2000. It features Rowan Atkinson as the modern-day Lord Edmund Blackadder of Her Royal Highness's regiment of Shirkers. The sketch was written and introduced by Ben Elton, who was the compère of the evening.

Runtime: 5 min
Episode 26: Baldrick on Clown Court
1988-01-06

The ‘Clown Court’ outtake sketch from Noel Edmonds’ House Party

Runtime: 4 min
Episode 27: Blackadder Goes Forth Interview
1989-01-08

A news piece and interview with Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson before the release of Blackadder Goes Forth.

Runtime: 3 min
Episode 28: Britain's Best Sitcoms - Blackadder
2004-01-17

This programme was broadcast early in 2004 and was part of a series of programmes where viewers were asked to vote for their favourite sitcom. Each programme featured a particular comedy sitcom and was championed by separate celebrities. This programme featuring "Blackadder" has John Sergeant Iannucci saying why he feels it was the best Comedy Sitcom. A number of excepts are shown including some behind the scenes rehearsals, Various guests and actors from the show give an insight into the programme including Richard Curtis, Ben Elton, Stephen Fry, John Lloyd, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerny, Hugh Laurie, Brian Blessed, Michael Grade, Dr Gary Sheffield, Lucy Moore, Miranda Richardson, Howard Goodall, Tony Aitken, Gabrielle Claister, Mandie Fletcher, Chris Wadsworth and Richard Boden.

Runtime: 49 min
Episode 29: Back And Forth (with Documentary)
1999-12-06

It's New Year's Eve 1999, and Blackadder makes a bold claim to his contemporaries. He claims Baldrick has built a time machine with which Blackadder will get historical evidence. What no one knows is that Baldrick really has invented a time machine, with one slight flaw. That sends Blackadder and Baldrick on a millennium's worth of adventure. Blackadder: Back & Forth was originally shown in the Millennium Dome in 2000, followed by a screening on Sky One in the same year (and later on BBC1). It is set on the turn of the millennium, and features Lord Blackadder placing a bet with his friends – modern versions of Queenie (Miranda Richardson), Melchett (Stephen Fry), George (Hugh Laurie) and Darling (Tim McInnerny) – that he has built a working time machine. The film includes cameo appearances from Kate Moss and Colin Firth.

Runtime: 55 min
Episode 30: Blackadder & The Banking Crisis
2012-11-28

This clip was recorded at The Prince's Trust benefit concert on November 28th 2012.

Runtime: 3 min
Episode 31: Banker Sketch
2012-11-28

A new Blackadder sketch about the banking crisis, performed at a special charity gala event “We Are Most Amused” in aid of the Prince's Trust.

Runtime: 8 min
Season 1 poster
Season 1 (1983)

Set in 1485, King Richard III has won the Battle of Bosworth Field, only to be unintentionally assassinated, and is succeeded by Richard IV, one of the Princes in the Tower. The series follows the exploits of Richard IV's unfavoured second son Edmund in his various attempts to increase his standing with his father and in the final episode his quest to overthrow him.

6 episodes

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