It was voted the “funniest British sitcom of all time” in a UKTV poll.
And now, Blackadder’s never-before-seen pilot will air ahead of the series’ 40th anniversary.
The iconic BBC series made Rowan Atkinson, now 68, a household name as the scheming and sarcastic Edmund Blackadder and his descendants throughout history.
The milestone will be marked with two documentaries, while Sir Tony Robinson, 76, who played Baldrick on the series, will unveil the never-before-aired 1982 pilot.
Sir Tony said: “Blackadder has a special place in the heart of the nation and mine too.”
“I am delighted to be a part of Gold’s 40th anniversary celebrations. “It was wonderful to go back to where it all began and speak to some of the biggest names in comedy who made it all possible.”
Surprise! Unseen episode of ‘the funniest British sitcom ever’, airing for the first time in 40 YEARS
Meanwhile, UKTV broadcaster Gold said: “Tony’s journey takes him back in time to find out where Blackadder really began and to uncover the story of the never-before-aired 1982 Blackadder pilot.”
“It’s a personal story for Tony – Baldrick shaped his career and playing the character changed his life.” But Tony didn’t play Baldrick in the pilot [Philip Fox did]. And there’s so much about Blackadder’s beginnings that he doesn’t know.
The show ends with the pilot being screened for comedy lovers for the first time.
The anniversary will also be celebrated with a special set of stamps, Royal Mail has announced.
Eight of the stamps capture moments from all four series of the classic sitcom – from the mists of medieval England to the court of Queen Elizabeth I – while a further four feature Edmund Blackadder in his various guises in each series.
The stamps feature some of the series’ most beloved characters, played by stars including Sir Tony, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny, Miranda Richardson, Brian Blessed and the late Patsy Byrne.
A presentation pack containing all 12 stamps is available for £19.60.
Created in 1983 by author Richard Curtis and Star Atkinson with support from BBC producer John Lloyd and co-author Ben Elton.
Icon: The legendary BBC series made Rowan Atkinson (left) a household name as the scheming and sarcastic Edmund Blackadder and his deceased throughout history (pictured with co-star Sir Tony Robinson)
Explorer: The Milestone will be marked with two documentaries, while Tony Robinson (below right), who played Baldrick on the series, will unveil the never-before-aired 1982 pilot
Curtis said, “We are very amused and delighted.” “For Blackadder, it’s a great relief to have his head on a postage stamp instead of on a stake.”
Producer Lloyd added: “The entire team behind the tragedy of Britain’s leading government are deeply honored by the Royal Mail’s magnificent seal of approval.”
“To paraphrase General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett, VC KCB, ‘Let’s give them a good thump!’
Written by college friends Curtis and Atkinson, the first episodes of the series are set in the 15th century, during the fictional reign of King Richard IV.
Blackadder II leapt forward in time to follow the changing fortunes of Lord Edmund Blackadder, an ambitious courtier to the cocky young Queen Elizabeth I, while the third part set in the early 19th century during the reign of the impressively breeched royal heir, Prince, play George.
stamps! The anniversary will also be celebrated with a special set of stamps, Royal Mail has announced
Eight of the stamps capture moments from all four series of the classic sitcom, from the mists of medieval England to the court of Queen Elizabeth I
Another four feature Edmund Blackadder in his various guises in each series
Then followed the adventures of the cunning butler Mr. E. Blackadder, who spends his days tormenting his lice-infested servant Baldrick and devising cunning schemes to improve his social standing.
The final series, Blackadder Goes Forth, is set in World War I, where Captain Blackadder and his comrades in the trenches try all sorts of tricks to avoid the inevitable order to “overdo”.
David Gold, director of foreign affairs and politics at Royal Mail, said: “The epic saga of Blackadder spans six centuries of British history and four decades of British television and is still loved and revered by viewers old and new.”
“We are delighted to mark Blackadder’s 40th anniversary with a series of commemorative stamps.”
The pilot will air Thursday, June 15 at 9 p.m. on Gold.