List of Blackadder episodes

Last updated

This is an episode list of the British sitcom Blackadder . Dates shown are original airdates on BBC1.

Contents

Series overview

SeriesEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
Pilot --
1 615 June 1983 (1983-06-15)20 July 1983 (1983-07-20)
2 69 January 1986 (1986-01-09)20 February 1986 (1986-02-20)
3 617 September 1987 (1987-09-17)22 October 1987 (1987-10-22)
4 628 September 1989 (1989-09-28)2 November 1989 (1989-11-02)
Specials 35 February 1988 (1988-02-05)31 December 1999 (1999-12-31)

Episodes

Pilot

TitleDirected byWritten by
"The Black Adder" Geoff Posner Richard Curtis & Rowan Atkinson
The pilot of The Black Adder was not broadcast until 2023; the story-line was subsequently used for the episode "Born to Be King."

Series 1: The Black Adder (1983)

The episodes in this series were originally shown on BBC1 on Wednesday evenings, 21:25 – 22:00. Note: The "Ultimate Edition" DVD retains the broadcast order, which switched the second and fourth episodes as "Born to Be King" was not ready for transmission, despite on-screen dates continuing to identify the true order as "Born to Be King", "The Archbishop", "The Queen of Spain's Beard" [1]

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"The Foretelling"Martin Shardlow Richard Curtis & Rowan Atkinson 15 June 1983 (1983-06-15)
22"Born to Be King"Martin ShardlowRichard Curtis & Rowan Atkinson6 July 1983 (1983-07-06) [1]
33"The Archbishop"Martin ShardlowRichard Curtis & Rowan Atkinson29 June 1983 (1983-06-29)
44"The Queen of Spain's Beard"Martin ShardlowRichard Curtis & Rowan Atkinson22 June 1983 (1983-06-22) [1]
55"Witchsmeller Pursuivant"Martin ShardlowRichard Curtis & Rowan Atkinson13 July 1983 (1983-07-13)
66"The Black Seal"Martin ShardlowRichard Curtis & Rowan Atkinson20 July 1983 (1983-07-20)

Series 2: Blackadder II (1986)

The episodes in this series were originally shown on BBC1 on Thursday evenings, 21:30 – 22:00. The episode titles are single word references to the theme of the episode: a wedding, executions, voyages of exploration, debt, drinking alcohol, and imprisonment, respectively.

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byRecorded dateOriginal air date
71"Bells" Mandie Fletcher Richard Curtis & Ben Elton 13 June 1985 (1985-06-13) [2] 9 January 1986 (1986-01-09)
82"Head"Mandie FletcherRichard Curtis & Ben Elton9 June 1985 (1985-06-09) [3] 16 January 1986 (1986-01-16)
93"Potato"Mandie FletcherRichard Curtis & Ben Elton23 June 1985 (1985-06-23) [4] 23 January 1986 (1986-01-23)
104"Money"Mandie FletcherRichard Curtis & Ben Elton30 June 1985 (1985-06-30)6 February 1986 (1986-02-06)
115"Beer"Mandie FletcherRichard Curtis & Ben Elton7 July 1985 (1985-07-07) [5] 13 February 1986 (1986-02-13)
126"Chains"Mandie FletcherRichard Curtis & Ben Elton14 July 1985 (1985-07-14)20 February 1986 (1986-02-20)

Series 3: Blackadder the Third (1987)

The episodes in this series were originally shown on BBC1 on Thursday evenings, 21:30 – 22:00. The episode titles use alliteration in parody of the titles of Jane Austen's novels Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice .

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byRecorded dateOriginal air date
131"Dish and Dishonesty" Mandie Fletcher Richard Curtis & Ben Elton 19 June 1987 (1987-06-19) [6] 17 September 1987 (1987-09-17)
142"Ink and Incapability"Mandie FletcherRichard Curtis & Ben Elton5 June 1987 (1987-06-05) [7] 24 September 1987 (1987-09-24)
153"Nob and Nobility"Mandie FletcherRichard Curtis & Ben Elton10 July 1987 (1987-07-10) [8] 1 October 1987 (1987-10-01)
164"Sense and Senility"Mandie FletcherRichard Curtis & Ben Elton12 June 1987 (1987-06-12) [9] 8 October 1987 (1987-10-08)
175"Amy and Amiability"Mandie FletcherRichard Curtis & Ben Elton26 June 1987 (1987-06-26) [10] 15 October 1987 (1987-10-15)
186"Duel and Duality"Mandie FletcherRichard Curtis & Ben Elton3 July 1987 (1987-07-03) [11] 22 October 1987 (1987-10-22)

Series 4: Blackadder Goes Forth (1989)

The episodes in this series were originally shown on BBC1 on Thursday evenings, 21:30 – 22:00. The episode titles are, with exception of the final episode, puns on military ranks.

No.
overall
No. in
series
TitleDirected byWritten byRecorded dateOriginal air date
191"Captain Cook" Richard Boden Richard Curtis & Ben Elton 27 August 1989 (1989-08-27)28 September 1989 (1989-09-28)
202"Corporal Punishment"Richard BodenRichard Curtis & Ben Elton3 September 1989 (1989-09-03)5 October 1989 (1989-10-05)
213"Major Star"Richard BodenRichard Curtis & Ben Elton10 September 1989 (1989-09-10)12 October 1989 (1989-10-12)
224"Private Plane"Richard BodenRichard Curtis & Ben Elton17 September 1989 (1989-09-17) [12] 19 October 1989 (1989-10-19)
235"General Hospital"Richard BodenRichard Curtis & Ben Elton24 September 1989 (1989-09-24) [13] 26 October 1989 (1989-10-26)
246"Goodbyeee"Richard BodenRichard Curtis & Ben Elton1 October 1989 (1989-10-01)2 November 1989 (1989-11-02)

Specials

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Blackadder: The Cavalier Years" Richard Boden Richard Curtis & Ben Elton 5 February 1988 (1988-02-05)
England is in civil war, and Blackadder is harbouring the most wanted man in the country: King Charles I.
2"Blackadder's Christmas Carol"Richard BodenRichard Curtis & Ben Elton23 December 1988 (1988-12-23)
A parody of Charles Dickens' book A Christmas Carol . As Christmas approaches, Ebenezer Blackadder gets a surprising meeting with the Ghost of Christmas Present.
3"Blackadder: Back & Forth" Paul Weiland Richard Curtis & Ben Elton31 December 1999 (1999-12-31)
As the new millennium dawns, Blackadder tries to con his friends out of £30,000 with a fake time machine which, thanks to Baldrick, unexpectedly works up to a point.

Additional appearances

Blackadder and Baldrick, or one of them, have also appeared frequently as guests in other shows or live shows, often for charity.

TitleWritten byOriginal air date
"Woman's Hour Invasion" Richard Curtis & Ben Elton 28 September 1988 (1988-09-28)
Woman's Hour is a show on BBC Radio 4 consisting of reports, interviews and debates aimed at women, and also includes short serials during the last quarter of the show. On one instance of the show, in 1988, Blackadder and Baldrick show up, travel back in time and talk to Shakespeare and others. The purpose of the "invasion" was to raise money for Children in Need. [14]
"Children in Need"Richard Curtis & Ben EltonFriday 18 November 1988 (Friday 18 November 1988)
Terry Wogan interviews Blackadder and Baldrick, both of which appear and behave as they are in series 3, with Blackadder insulting both Baldrick and Terry Wogan. This special cameo was done during a TV appeal for Children in Need. [15]
"Clown Court"Richard Curtis1988 (1988)
Clown Court was an item on Noel's Saturday Roadshow in which Noel Edmonds presented blooper compilations in a mock court setting. Tony Robinson appeared as Baldrick, who stands accused of a number of bloopers from the third series, and is sentenced to death. [16]
"Cooking with Baldrick on Blue Peter"Unknown9 March 1989 (1989-03-09)
Baldrick shares a recipe on a Blue Peter special. This short cameo was included on the bluray edition of Blackadder in 2023.
"Baldrick on Smellovision (CBBC Comic Relief 1991)"TBD1991 (1991)
Featured in this clip were Tony Robinson as Baldrick, Presenter Andy Peters and a puppet called the Samiad from a 1991 children's show. [17]
"Blackadder and the King's Birthday"Ben Elton14 November 1998 (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. Baldrick is mentioned as being Lord Blackadder's servant, but does not appear. The live-on-stage sketch was televised on ITV (in the UK) on 14 November 1998. [18]
"Blackadder: The Army Years"Ben Elton19 October 2000 (2000-10-19)
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, offering a proposal to restore England's glory by invading France. The sketch was written and introduced by Ben Elton, who was the compère of the evening. [19]
"The Jubilee Girl"Richard Curtis29 December 2002 (2002-12-29)
The Jubilee Girl was a BBC special about the making of the Party at the Palace, a concert held on the grounds of Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. The concert had been reluctantly announced on the BBC by Sir Osmond Darling-Blackadder, Keeper of the Royal Lawn Sprinklers, and while he does not appear in connection with the actual concert, he makes a few brief appearances in The Jubilee Girl to provide a humouristic note. [20]
"The Banking Crisis"Ben Elton28 September 2012 (2012-09-28)
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. Sir Edmund Blackadder is the chief executive of the Melchett, Melchett & Darling bank, who brings his gardener Sodoff Baldrick to an enquiry. [21]
"Red Nose Day 2023"Richard Curtis & Tony Robinson17 March 2023 (2023-03-17)
Baldrick returns alone to read “Balderella” about himself and Edmund Blackadder (absent) for the 2023 BBC Red Nose Day.

Retrospectives and documentaries

TitleOriginal air date
"Baldrick's diary: a Blackadder in the making"31 December 1999 (1999-12-31)
A featurette on the shooting of Back & Forth, in the form a video diary narrated by Baldrick. It includes several deleted scenes from the movie.
"Blackadder Exclusive: The Whole Rotten Saga"8 October 2008 (2008-10-08)

A 90-minute documentary produced by Tiger Aspect for UKTV Gold. [22]

It featured interviews with most of the major cast members and other contributors, including Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Richard Curtis, Ben Elton, Miranda Richardson, Tim McInnerny and Tony Robinson and was narrated by comedian David Mitchell. Rowan Atkinson did not appear except in archival footage. [23] It was followed by another hour with a compilation called 'Most Cunning Moments' where celebrities and invited guests vote on their favourite scenes. [24]
"Blackadder Rides Again"25 December 2008 (2008-12-25)
A 60-minute documentary produced by Tiger Aspect for the BBC and broadcast on 25 December 2008, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the show. It featured interviews with all of the major cast members and other contributors, including Rowan Atkinson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Richard Curtis, Ben Elton, Miranda Richardson, Tim McInnerny and Tony Robinson. [25] Rather than relying on 'talking head' interviews and clips from the show, the documentary included several pieces of rare, and even unseen material (behind the scenes clips, cut scenes from Series 1 etc.). It also reunited certain cast and crew members with their costumes, visited cast members on their current ventures, or took them to the original filming locations.
"Blackadder: the lost pilot"15 June 2023 (2023-06-15)
Sir Tony Robinson introduces the first UK screening of the long-unaired pilot episode on Gold, and discusses its genesis with Richard Curtis, Ben Elton and Howard Goodall.

Related Research Articles

<i>Blackadder</i> British TV sitcom (1983–1989)

Blackadder is a series of four period British sitcoms, plus several one-off instalments, which originally aired on BBC1 from 1983 to 1989. All television episodes starred Rowan Atkinson as the antihero Edmund Blackadder and Tony Robinson as Blackadder's dogsbody, Baldrick. Each series was set in a different historical period, with the two protagonists accompanied by different characters, though several reappear in one series or another, e.g., Melchett, Lord Percy Percy / Captain Darling and George.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Robinson</span> English actor and campaigner (born 1946)

Sir Anthony Robinson is an English actor, author, broadcaster, comedian, presenter, and political activist. He played Baldrick in the BBC television series Blackadder and has presented many historical documentaries, including the Channel 4 series Time Team and The Worst Jobs in History. He has written 16 children's books.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edmund Blackadder</span> Fictional character from Blackadder

Edmund Blackadder is the single name given to a collection of fictional characters who appear in the BBC mock-historical comedy series Blackadder, each played by Rowan Atkinson. Although each series is set within a different period of British history, all the Edmund Blackadders in the franchise are part of the same familial dynasty. Each character also shares notable personality traits and characteristics throughout each incarnation. In a 2001 poll conducted by Channel 4, Edmund Blackadder was ranked third on their list of the 100 Greatest TV Characters.

<i>Blackadder Goes Forth</i> Fourth series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder

Blackadder Goes Forth is the fourth series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, which aired from 28 September to 2 November 1989 on BBC1. The series placed the recurring characters of Blackadder, Baldrick, and George in a trench in Flanders during World War I, and followed their various doomed attempts to escape from the trenches to avoid death under the misguided command of General Melchett. The series references famous people of the time and criticises the British Army's leadership during the campaign, culminating in the ending of its final episode, in which the soldiers are ordered to carry out a lethal charge of enemy lines.

<i>The Black Adder</i> First series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder

The Black Adder is the first series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, directed by Martin Shardlow and produced by John Lloyd. The series was originally aired on BBC 1 from 15 June 1983 to 20 July 1983, and was a joint production with the Australian Seven Network. Set in 1485 at the end of the British Middle Ages, the series is written as a secret history which contends that King Richard III won the Battle of Bosworth Field, only to be unintentionally assassinated by his nephew's son Edmund and succeeded by said nephew, 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.

<i>Blackadder II</i> Second series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder

Blackadder II is the second series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, which aired from 9 January 1986 to 20 February 1986. The series is set in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558–1603), and sees the principal character, Edmund, Lord Blackadder, as a Tudor courtier attempting to win the favour of the Queen while avoiding execution by decapitation, a fate that befell many of her suitors.

<i>Blackadder the Third</i> Third series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder

Blackadder the Third  is the third series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, which aired from 17 September to 22 October 1987. The series is set during the Georgian Era, and sees the principal character, Mr. E. Blackadder, serve as butler to the Prince Regent and have to contend with, or cash in on, the fads of the age embraced by his master.

<i>Blackadders Christmas Carol</i> 1988 Christmas special of Blackadder

Blackadder's Christmas Carol, a one-off episode of Blackadder, is a parody of Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol. It is set between Blackadder the Third (1987) and Blackadder Goes Forth (1989), and is narrated by Hugh Laurie. Produced by the BBC, it was first broadcast on BBC1 on 23 December 1988.

<i>Blackadder: Back & Forth</i> 2000 special based on the BBC mock-historical comedy series Blackadder directed by Paul Weiland

Blackadder: Back & Forth is a 1999 British science fiction comedy short film based on the BBC period sitcom Blackadder that marks the end of the Blackadder saga. It was commissioned for showing in the specially built SkyScape cinema erected southeast of the Millennium Dome on the Greenwich peninsula in South London. The film follows Lord Edmund Blackadder and his idiotic servant, Baldrick, on a time travel adventure that brings the characters into contact with several figures significant to British history.

The Black Adder (<i>Blackadder</i>) Episode of Blackadder

"The Black Adder" is the pilot episode of the BBC television series Blackadder. Taped on 20 June 1982, it features the original incarnation of the character Edmund Blackadder, played by Rowan Atkinson. Following this pilot, The Black Adder eventually went into production and the first six-part series was broadcast in 1983, but with a number of changes to the casting, characterisation and plot; while the transmitted series was set in 1485 and the years following the Battle of Bosworth Field, this untransmitted pilot was set in 16th century, apparently during the Elizabethan Era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodbyeee</span> 6th episode of the 4th series of Blackadder

"Goodbyeee", or "Plan F: Goodbyeee", is the sixth and final episode of Blackadder Goes Forth, the fourth and final series of British historical sitcom Blackadder. The episode was first broadcast on BBC1 in the United Kingdom on 2 November 1989, shortly before Armistice Day. Apart from the one-off short film Blackadder: Back & Forth made a decade later, it was the last episode of Blackadder to be produced and transmitted.

"Corporal Punishment" or "Plan B: Corporal Punishment", is the second episode of Blackadder Goes Forth, the fourth series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder. It was first broadcast on BBC1 on 5 October 1989. In the episode, Blackadder faces a court-martial, and later an execution by firing squad, for shooting a carrier pigeon.

"Bells" is the first episode of the BBC sitcom Blackadder II, the second series of Blackadder, which was set in Elizabethan England from 1558 to 1603. Although "Bells" was the first to be broadcast on BBC1, it was originally destined to be the second episode.

<i>Blackadder: The Cavalier Years</i>  TV series or program

Blackadder: The Cavalier Years is a 15-minute one-off edition of Blackadder set during the English Civil War, shown as part of the first Comic Relief Red Nose Day on BBC1, broadcast on Friday 5 February 1988. The show featured Warren Clarke as a guest star.

George (<i>Blackadder</i>) Character in Blackadder

George is a supporting character who appeared in various adaptations of the BBC sitcom Blackadder, played by Hugh Laurie. Two series saw a different incarnation of the character, because each was set in a different period of history. He was most prominently featured in the third and fourth series. The character was added to the series as a replacement for the Lord Percy Percy character, who did not appear in the third instalment because Tim McInnerny, the actor playing him, feared being typecast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ink and Incapability</span> 2nd episode of the 3rd series of Blackadder

"Ink and Incapability" is the second episode of the BBC sitcom Blackadder the Third, the third series of Blackadder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duel and Duality</span> 6th episode of the 3rd series of Blackadder

"Duel and Duality" is the sixth and final episode of the BBC sitcom Blackadder the Third, the third series of Blackadder.

Born to Be King (<i>Blackadder</i>) 2nd episode of the 1st series of Blackadder

"Born to Be King" is the second episode of The Black Adder, the first series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder. Set in late 15th-century England, the episode takes a humorous look at rivalries with the Kingdom of Scotland and centres the dramatic tension on the doubts cast over parentage of the lead character, Prince Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baldrick</span> Fictional character from Blackadder

Baldrick is the name of several fictional characters featured in the long-running BBC historic comedy television series Blackadder. Each one serves as Edmund Blackadder's servant and sidekick and acts as a foil to the lead character. Each series of Blackadder is set in a different period in British history, and each Baldrick character is a descendant of the Baldrick from the preceding series. Just as Blackadder exists in many incarnations throughout the ages, so does Baldrick; whenever there is a Blackadder there is a Baldrick serving him. They are all portrayed by Sir Tony Robinson.

References

  1. 1 2 3 The True History of the Black Adder, ISBN   978-1-8480-9346-1, pp. 125, p 419-420
  2. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-ii-bells Filming date included with description(s).
  3. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-ii-head Filming date included with description(s).
  4. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-ii-potato Filming date included with description(s).
  5. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-ii-beer Filming date included with description(s).
  6. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-the-third-dish-and-dishonesty Filming date included with description(s).
  7. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-the-third-ink-and-incapability Filming date included with description(s).
  8. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-the-third-nob-and-nobility Filming date included with description(s).
  9. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-the-third-sense-and-senility Filming date included with description(s).
  10. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-the-third-amy-and-amiability Filming date included with description(s).
  11. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-the-third-duel-and-duality Filming date included with description(s).
  12. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-goes-forth-private-plane Filming date included with description(s).
  13. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-goes-forth-general-hospital Filming date included with description(s).
  14. The Woman's Hour Invasion at Blackadder Hall Archived 14 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  15. J.F. Roberts, The True History of the Black Adder: The Unadulterated Tale of the Creation of a Comedy Legend (Preface publishing, 2000) 253-254.
  16. "Baldrick on Clown Court". 13 October 2011.
  17. "Baldrick on Smellovision". 18 June 2023.
  18. The King's Birthday at Blackadder Hall Archived 18 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  19. The Army Years at Blackadder Hall Archived 29 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  20. The Royal Gardner at Blackadder Hall Archived 8 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 12 January 2008.
  21. "New Blackadder Sketch Performed". 29 November 2012.
  22. "Blackadder Hall Blog". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
  23. "IMDb page". IMDb . Retrieved 13 December 2010.
  24. "IMDb page". IMDb . Retrieved 13 December 2010.
  25. "Press Office – Network TV Programme Information BBC ONE Weeks 52/53". BBC. Retrieved 27 February 2009.