About
Blackadder is the generic name that encompasses four series of an acclaimed BBC historical sitcom, along with several one-off instalments.
The first series was written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, while subsequent episodes were written by Curtis and Ben Elton.
The shows were produced by John Lloyd, and starred Rowan Atkinson as the eponymous anti-hero, Edmund Blackadder, and Tony Robinson as his sidekick, Baldrick. Other great British actors starring in the series (in various roles) include Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson and Tim McInnerny.
Each series was set in a different period of British history, beginning in 1485 and ending in 1917 (with one special set on New Year's Eve 1999) and comprised six half-hour episodes.
Series guide
Series 1: Blackadder (1983)
King Richard IV is the insane monarch ruling England during the really dark part of the Dark Ages. He has two sons: one, Harry, his elder son and the Prince of Wales. Although highly respected by the court and overly favored by his father, Harry is rather looney, as well... and two, Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh, who is loathed by his family and detested by the court.
Despite this, the slimy, cocky, foolish and sarcastic Edmund, donning a costume and the alias of "The Black Adder", is out to inherit the throne, assisted by two sidekicks: Percy, the only nobleman stupid enough to respect him, and Baldrick, a street-wise peasant with inspired "cunning plans".
- Episodes:
- The Foretelling
- Born To Be King
- The Archbishop
- The Queen of Spain's Beard
- Witchsmeller Pursuivant
- The Black Seal
Series 2: Blackadder II (1986)
England 1558-1603. Sixty years after the demise of Prince Edmund Plantagenet, Queen Elizabeth I, who's as insane as her ancestors, is England's current leader. Seductive, easy-to-impress, spoiled, and always seeking a husband, "Queenie" has a leading courtier: Lord Edmund Blackaddder, great-grandson of the original.
Now, however, he is dryly cynical and intelligent, but still trying to become king; this time by marrying the queen. However, her right-hand-man, Lord Melchett, will always serve as fair competition for her hand. Blackadder is again assisted by the clueless but fashionable Lord Percy Percy and dung-eating, "cunning" peasant Baldrick.
- Episodes:
- Bells
- Head
- Potato
- Money
- Beer
- Chains
Series 3: Blackadder The Third
(1987)
During the Regency period, the insane King George III's stark raving mad son, George, is the Prince Regent of Wales. Vulgar and staggeringly slow-and-dim-witted, George exhausts the country's money and would surely be dead by know were it not for his dry, angry, bitter, arrogant and cynical butler, Edmund Blackadder.
Blackadder is an ex-aristocrat who has lost his family fortune and been reduced to servant-hood, and full of loathing knowing he should have a better position then serving a lunatic. Sod-Off Baldrick is his dirty, smelly peasant servant, and Mrs. Miggins is an annoying cheerful coffee-shoppe owner who is too stupid to understand most of Mr. Blackadder's insults.
- Episodes:
- Dish & Dishonesty
- Ink & Incapability
- Nob & Nobility
- Sense & Senility
- Amy & Amiability
- Duel & Duality
Series 4: Blackadder Goes Forth
(1989)
It is 1917, and lunatic General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett is leading the British troops at the front lines against the Germans, while everyone waits for Field Marshall Haig's big push. There are various emotions throughout the camp about it. For Captain Kevin Darling, Melchett's bull-dog-like right-hand man, it makes no difference, as it appears he will be safe and sound with the general when the big push occurs.
For Lieutenant George Colhurst Saint Barleigh, he is overly excited at thrashing the Germans. For Private S. (probably for Sod-Off) Baldrick, it's a terrifying experience he is not looking forward to. For Captain Edmund Blackadder, however, it's something he's too cowardly too face.
Self-centered, arrogant, and sarcastic, Blackadder is always constantly searching for a way out of this silly war, and will try various, often crazy, variations on escape, all of which will take a turn he never expected. Sharing a dugout with George and Baldrick, his main obstacle for escape is Darling, who will ensure everyone is present for the big push.
- Episodes:
- Captain Cook
- Corporal Punishment
- Major Star
- Private Plane
- General Hospital
- Goodbyeee
Specials
- Blackadder: The Cavalier Years (1988)
- Blackadder's Christmas Carol (1988)
- Blackadder and the King's Birthday (1998)
- Blackadder: The Army Years (2000)
- Blackadder: Back & Forth (2000)
- The Jubilee Girl (2002)
You can read more about the specials on the Blackadder page of Wikipedia website.
- Sources: IMDb.com, The Official BBC site, Wikipedia