Blackadder

Blackadder is now a classic piece of UK comedy. The show centres on Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson as antihero Edmund Blackadder and his dogsbody, Baldrick respectively, two of the most respected comedians of their generation. Blackadder was written by Richard Curtis, Rowan Atkinson and Ben Elton.

Despite Blackadder’s almost pathological self-serving nature, the audience cannot help but sympathise with his many setbacks and failures. His only solace in life seems to be the constant debasement of Baldrick. The show is a great example of the BBC comedy genius at its best.

There are a total of four series of Blackadder plus several one off instalments. Each is set in a different significant era in UK history and all follow the fortunes of Edmund Blackadder who is a member of a British family dynasty. Each Blackadder though is a cynical, cowardly opportunist concerned with maintaining and increasing his own status and fortunes, regardless of his surroundings.

Aside from the four hugely successful series the team also did several one off episodes including Blackadder's Christmas Carol, Blackadder: Back & Forth and Blackadder: The Cavalier Years.

The series also has an almost constant support cast which includes Tony Robinson (long suffering family servant Baldrick), Tim McInnery (Lord Percy), Miranda Richardson (Queen Elizabeth I) and Hugh Laurie (Prince George).