Daunted by the prospect of inevitably being compared unfavorably to Fawtly Towers, Atkinson and Curtis decided to develop something that would take viewers as far away from Basil Fawlty as possible: an historical comedy. This would allow them to not only duck out from under Fawlty Towers' shadow, but also deal with topics and situations not normally covered in sitcoms (like beheadings, for instance).

The series that emerged from this planning was The Black Adder, featuring Atkinson as Prince Edmund, the titular Black Adder. The series was set in the Middle Ages, during the reign of the fictional King Richard IV (who took over after Edmund killed Richard III). The look and feel of The Black Adder was more in tune with the BBC's dramatic productions than a typical sitcom. Elaborate costumes, huge sets and location filming were common. The plots, however, were pure sitcom; Edmund gets into a tricky situation and finds a way out of it. This strange dichotomy between the presentation and the content gives The Black Adder a feel unlike anything else to come out of the BBC (even the other Blackadders).

The show first aired in 1983, but was not particularly well received. Although the ratings were not terrible, audiences seemed to be confused as to the point of it all. The very thing that made the show stand out also made it hard for it to find an audience. The show also proved far too expensive for the BBC's tastes and it was decided to orer no further series.

Fate stepped in when Richard Curtis was discussing the show's various successes and failings with his writer friend Ben Elton (co-writer of seminal "alternative comedy" The Young Ones). Elton began to expound on the ways the show could be changed so that it would work. With this fresh approach in hand, Curtis returned to the BBC and (with Elton replacing Atkinson as co-writer) got the go ahead on a new series with a new direction.

The new series debuted in 1986. Blackadder II took place during the reign of "good Queen Bess", Elizabeth I. The stories revolve around the Queen's court and one of her principle courtiers, Lord Edmund Blackadder. The new setting aside, the most readily apparent change was in the very nature of the way the show was produced. Since one of the BBC's primary objections was the show's cost, Curtis and Elton structured the show as a typical sitcom, with only the setting being out of place. This time the show was shot with an audience and a standard studio-only setup. Gone were the massive sets and huge crowds of extras, replaced by tight, simple drawing-room-type sets and a small cast of regulars.

Another notable change is in the nature of Edmund himself. The cowardly, sniveling portrayal that marked The Black Adder is done away with. Instead, Lord Blackadder uses his intelligence and wit to escape danger. Interestingly, this approach is much more faithful to the portrayal of Prince Edmund seen in the original (unaired) pilot for The Black Adder. It is this approach, abandoned for the original series, that would define the image of Blackadder in the mind of the public.

The changes worked. Blackadder II was an enormous success and a third series was commissioned almost immediately. Debuting the following year and entitled Blackadder the Third, the new series moved the timeline ahead to the period of the Restoration. Edmund moved down the social ladder again, this time serving as Butler to the Prince Regent.

This third series did very little in the way of changing the formula established for Blackadder II. Although success meant that Blackadder the Third could make more use of special sets and extras, nonetheless the series retained the basic feel and approach of the preceding series.

Despite the third series' success, two years passed before the next. In the meantime, two special appearances were created; the charity skit/episode The Cavalier Years and the holiday special Blackadder's Christmas Carol. Both specials shone light on previously unseen eras in the Blackadder family history. The Cavalier Years sees Sir Edmund Blackadder at the time of the execution of Charles I and the dawning of the Commonwealth. Blackadder's Christmas Carol, a typically twisted take on the Dickens classic, introduces the Victorian era's Mr. Ebenezer Blackadder.

In 1989 the final Blackadder series debuted. Blackadder Goes Forth, although maintaining the basic look of the previous two series, delves into new territory. It was the first series to be set during a time of truly great social upheaval: the First World War. This causes the show to take on a much more serious air in its humor and in its social commentary. It is much more melancholy and the humor is tinged with a sadness that is brought home with the series' conclusion.

After yet another successful series, Atkinson, Curtis and Elton began to think about what form the next Blackadder series would take. The idea that seemed the most likely was "The Blackadder 5", which would take place during the 1960s and see Edmund as a manager for a rock band (and Baldrick accidentally shooting Kennedy in Dallas). Another possibility was a World War II setting, in the prisoner of war camp Colditz. Ben Elton put forth a film idea that would see Blackadder and Baldrick working for the secret police in Revolution-era Russia. But none of these ideas ever came to fruition. Working sometimes together but mostly apart, the series' creators moved on to other projects. With the exception of one live appearance (at the celebration for Prince Charles' 50th birthday), little was heard from the Blackadder family for many years.

A change in the fortunes of house Blackadder came from an unlikely source: the British government. In the late 1990s, a new government came to power in Britain, inheriting a questionable project for a massive "Millennium Dome" intended to celebrate British greatness and the turn of the Millennium. Despite reservations from some quarters, the government pressed ahead and the structure was built. Entertainment was commissioned from all manner of artists. One such project was a short (30 min.) "Blackadder" film with all the major principles on board. The result was Blackadder: Back & Forth, the first full Blackadder production to take place (even partially) in modern times. A sort of cross between Blackadder and Doctor Who, Blackadder: Back & Forth sees a modern-day Edmund and Baldrick bouncing through time in an effort to win a bet (and get back home, of course). While the movie was modestly well received, it did little to help the flagging national interest in the Millennium Dome, which never came close to meeting its attendance and revenue goals.

Two more members of the Blackadder clan has sprung up since Blackadder: Back & Forth; a 2000 appearance at the Royal Variety Performance and a commercial advertising a 2002 Golden Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace. Since then, however, there has been no sign of the Blackadder family. All the major players have expressed a willingness to one day return to the world of Blackadder. Only time will tell if we hear from that notorious family again.

Merchandise

Complete Series DVD Box Set

Blackadder: The Whole Damn Dynasty script book

Cunning: The Blackadder Programme Guide

Anniversary Collection audio CD box set including bonus CD: "I Have A Cunning Plan"

Audio
from the BBC Radio Collection

Blackadder II

Blackadder The Third

Blackadder Goes Forth

Blackadder's Christmas Carol / The Cavalier Years

This page is © 2004 by theLogBook.com.

---

BLACK ADDER and all related characters and placenames are the property of the British Broadcasting Corporation. This document is not intended to infringe upon their copyright in any way. The author(s) make no attempt - in using the names described herein - to supercede the copyrights of the copyright holders, nor are these pages officially sanctioned, licensed, or endorsed by the shows' creators or producers.

---