Series synopsis
Blackadder is a British comedy television series that premiered on BBC One on June 15, 1983. It ended on November 2, 1989. It was created by Richard Curtis, Rowan Atkinson, Ben Elton. It stars Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Brian Blessed and Elspet Gray.
Blackadder 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 Great War.
Premise
Blackadder 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 Great War.
Premise: The most gripping sitcom since 1380.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Rowan Atkinson as Edmund Blackadder
- Tony Robinson as Baldrick
- Brian Blessed as King Richard IV
- Elspet Gray as The Queen
- Robert East as Harry Prince of Wales
- Patsy Byrne as Nursie
- Helen Atkinson-Wood as Mrs. Miggins
- Frank Finlay as The Witchsmeller Pursuivant
Supporting cast
- Patrick Malahide as Guy of Glastonbury
- Alex Norton as McAngus, Duke of Argyll
- Paul Brooke as Friar Bellows
- Peter Cook as Richard III
- Jim Broadbent as Don Speekingleesh, an Interpreter
- Tim McInnerny as Lord Percy
- Stephen Fry as General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett
- Hugh Laurie as Lieutenant The Honourable George Colthurst St. Barleigh
- Tony Aitken as Minstrel
- Patrick Allen as Narrator
- Miriam Margolyes as Lady Whiteadder
- Miranda Richardson as Queen Elizabeth I
Guest cast
- Tim McInnerny as Lord Percy
- Stephen Fry as General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett
- Hugh Laurie as Lieutenant The Honourable George Colthurst St. Barleigh
- Tony Aitken as Minstrel
- Patrick Allen as Narrator
- Miriam Margolyes as Lady Whiteadder
- Miranda Richardson as Queen Elizabeth I
- Ron Cook as Sean, the Irish
- Tom Baker as Captain Rum
- Ronald Lacey as Bishop of Bath & Wells
- Simon Jones as Sir Walter Raleigh
- Lesley Nicol as Mrs. Pants
Episodes
This series spans 5 seasons with 57 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 33 | June 16, 2023 | |
| Season 1 | 6 | June 15, 1983 | July 20, 1983 |
| Season 2 | 6 | January 9, 1986 | February 20, 1986 |
| Season 3 | 6 | September 17, 1987 | October 22, 1987 |
| Season 4 | 6 | September 28, 1989 | November 2, 1989 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
|
| 2 |
Blackadder's Christmas Carol Pleasant Ebenezer Blackadder is turned into a cruel and witty miser after seeing visions of his ancestors and descendants. |
December 23, 1988 |
| 3 |
Back and Forth 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.... |
December 31, 1999 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Foretelling After arriving late for the Battle of Bosworth Field, Edmund kills King Richard III (whom he thinks is stealing his horse) and secures the crown for his father. |
June 15, 1983 |
| 2 |
Born to Be King With his father away at The Crusades, Edmund comes up with a plan to prove his brother is illegitimate, thus making him Prince Regent. |
June 22, 1983 |
| 3 |
The Archbishop Edmund is appointed to the post of Archbishop of Canterbury after the King has the last one killed. |
June 29, 1983 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Bells Blackadder feels a funny attraction for his manservant and decides to marry when he discovers he is a she. |
January 9, 1986 |
| 2 |
Head After the Queen appoints Blackadder Lord High Executioner, he finds himself in trouble when the Queen pardons someone he executed ahead of schedule. |
January 16, 1986 |
| 3 |
Potato After Sir Walter Raleigh takes the Queen's fancy by bringing her a potato, Blackadder decides to become an explorer with the aid of a legless sea captain. |
January 23, 1986 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Dish and Dishonesty Blackadder becomes involved in politics by getting Baldrick elected MP, in an effort to stop the new Prime Minister, Pitt the Younger, from striking the Prince off the Civil List. |
September 17, 1987 |
| 2 |
Ink and Incapability Blackadder has one weekend to rewrite a dictionary the Prince Regent is patronising after Baldrick burns the only copy. |
September 24, 1987 |
| 3 |
Nob and Nobility After the Scarlet Pimpernel gets high praises Blackadder makes a bet that he can go to France and rescue aristocrats, too. |
October 1, 1987 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Captain Cook Blackadder tries painting and cooking as ploys to avoid the scheduled big push out of the trenches. |
September 28, 1989 |
| 2 |
Corporal Punishment Edmund is sentenced to death by firing squad for shooting and eating the General's favourite carrier pigeon. |
October 5, 1989 |
| 3 |
Major Star Blackadder grabs yet another opportunity to return to England by organising a morale-raising music hall show, including Baldrick's Charlie Chaplin impersonation and George's appearance as a lady songstress who captures the General's heart. |
October 12, 1989 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | June 15, 1983 |
| Last aired | November 2, 1989 |
| Runtime | 32 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Thursday |