Blackadder revival for Comic Relief
- Blackadder is to return with a special outing for Red Nose Day
- Sir Tony Robinson will reprise his role as dogsbody Baldrick in a new short
Richard Curtis has revealed a revival of Blackadder for this year's Comic Relief Red Nose Day telethon.
However, the new outing will only involve Sir Tony Robinson as Baldrick, and not Rowan Atkinson as the eponymous Edmund.
Speaking this morning on the Radio 2 breakfast programme, he told host Gary Davies: "God I'm really nervous about saying this but... For the first time in 20 years, Baldrick is going to be giving some kind of performance.
"We're just conspiring about it now, so I think there's going to be a marvellous, turnip-based thing with Tony Robinson now back in action, so I'm excited about that."
Curtis joked: "Rowan's far too serious to do any of that!"
The last such Blackadder revival was part of Comic Relief's Big Night In, at the height of 2020's Covid-19 lockdown.
It saw Stephen Fry reprise his role as Lord Melchett, now Head of the Royal Household, talking to Prince William via Zoom about educating his children.
This year's Red Nose Day takes place on Friday 17th March, with the customary telethon expected to air on BBC One from 7pm.
Blackadder is one of Britain's most popular television sitcoms of all time, having run for four period-set series during the 1980s and various specials since. Created by Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis, it was written by Atkinson, Curtis and Ben Elton, and starred some of the decade's biggest new comedy names - almost all of whom are now beloved comic institutions.
Rumours of a potential fifth series usually surface once or twice a year, usually mooting a 1960s setting.
A limited edition vinyl box set of the original TV series sound tracks was released just last week by Demon Records, with each copy including a Baldrick print hand-signed by Robinson.
The sitcom will celebrate its 40th anniversary this June, with a new, restored and bonus-packed Blu-ray box set of all four series expected to be released.
Blackadder Remastered - The Ultimate Edition
This deluxe edition includes fantastic digitally remastered episodes plus a whole host of special features, many of which are completely exclusive to DVD.
Digitally remastered, the collection brings together all four eras of the classic comedy starring Rowan Atkinson, plus every single TV special. Each series traces the sniveling title character and his equally irksome descendants. Episodes feature a wide range of British stars, including Stephen Fry, Miranda Richardson, Rik Mayall, Jim Broadbent, Brian Blessed, and many others.
The specials are:
Blackadder's Christmas Carol
Blackadder Back And Forth
The Cavalier Years
First released: Monday 15th June 2009
DVD- Distributor: 2 Entertain
- Region: 2
- Discs: 6
- Catalogue: BBCDVD2816
Buy and sell old and new items
Search for this product on eBay
BCG may earn commission on sales generated through the links above.
Blackadder's Historical Record
Demon Records presents all four TV series of the iconic sitcom classic on vinyl LP for the very first time - with an exclusive frameable print signed by Sir Tony Robinson.
"History, here I come!"
Rescued from a dusty shelf in a long-forgotten archive, Blackadder's Historical Record brings the bawdy, brutal and blithering bits of history to life via 24 full-cast TV soundtrack episodes. Housed in a leather-look rigid box with lift-off lid are a 12" frameable print portrait of Baldrick (each copy individually signed by Sir Tony Robinson), a colour illustrated booklet detailing cast, transmission and production credits (with sleeve notes from Sir Tony Robinson), and 12 opulent, gold colour 140g vinyl discs housed inside a dozen splendidly era-inspired inner sleeves.
From The Black Adder and Blackadder II to Blackadder The Third and Blackadder Goes Forth, this is one of British TV's best-loved sitcoms, which propelled its stars and writers on to become household names. Written by Richard Curtis & Rowan Atkinson (Series 1) and Richard Curtis & Ben Elton (Series 2-4) the episodes star Rowan Atkinson as the eponymous anti-hero, with Tony Robinson as his hapless manservant Baldrick. A star-studded supporting cast includes Tim McInnerny, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, with guest appearances by Rik Mayall, Miriam Margolyes, Brian Blessed, Tom Baker and many, many more. (Cunning plan not included.)
First released: Friday 10th February 2023
- Distributor: Demon Records
- Discs: 12
- Catalogue: DEMRECBOX70
Buy and sell old and new items
Search for this product on eBay
BCG may earn commission on sales generated through the links above.