Blackadder (1983)

Name: Blackadder
Rating: 8.0

Rating: 8.0

Synopsis

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.

First Air Date: 1983-06-15

Last Air Date: 1989-11-02

Number of Seasons: 4

Number of Episodes: 24

Created By: Richard Curtis, Rowan Atkinson, Ben Elton

Networks: BBC One

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Rowan Atkinson as Edmund Blackadder
Tony Robinson as Baldrick
Tim McInnerny as Lord Percy
Hugh Laurie as The Prince Regent
Stephen Fry as Lord Melchett
Miranda Richardson as Queen Elizabeth I
Tony Aitken as Minstrel
Patrick Allen as Narrator
Brian Blessed as King Richard IV
Elspet Gray as The Queen

Seasons

Select a Season

None

None (1983)

Set in 1485, King Richard III has won the Battle of Bosworth Field, only to be unintentionally assassinated, and is succeeded by 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.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: The Foretelling (1983-06-15)

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.
Ep. 2: Born to Be King (1983-06-22)

With his father away at The Crusades, Edmund comes up with a plan to prove his brother is illegitimate, thus making him Prince Regent.
Ep. 3: The Archbishop (1983-06-29)

Edmund is appointed to the post of Archbishop of Canterbury after the King has the last one killed.
Ep. 4: The Queen of Spain's Beard (1983-07-06)

The King decides that Edmund should marry a Spanish princess, who Edmund finds unattractive, in order to secure a treaty between Spain and England which will allow an invasion of France.
Ep. 5: Witchsmeller Pursuivant (1983-07-13)

Percy and Baldrick are to be burned at the stake with Edmund, when he is accused of being a witch.
Ep. 6: The Black Seal (1983-07-20)

After the King takes away Edmund's title of Duke, he recruits the six most evil men in the land to take the crown by force.