Richard Curtis has revealed plans for a potential new Blackadder project with star Rowan Atkinson, marking a significant shift from his previous reluctance to revive the beloved comedy series.
After years of slapping away the idea, the 68-year-old co-creator of the legendary sitcom hinted at the possibility of a long-awaited reunion.
The iconic, which starred Atkinson as the titular character and Sir Tony Robinson as his hapless sidekick Baldrick, show ran for 24 episodes over six years.
The final full series of Blackadder aired in 1989, featuring the characters in World War I trenches.
The last of four special episodes was broadcast in 1999.
Fans left in limbo until Comic Relief last year, which saw Robinson reprise his role as Baldrick in a sketch penned by Curtis.
Now, the Love Actually director has revealed: “Rowan and I have a plan for something we might do which would just be a bit of fun sometime in the next few years.”
Blackadder stars Rowan Atkinson, Tim McInnerny and Sir Tony Robinson
BBC
“I’d love to work with Rowan one more time on something,” he added, suggesting a possible return to the franchise nearly a quarter of a century after its last special aired.
Despite being off air for nearly 25 years, the series continues to attract a devoted following and new comedy enthusiasts.
Curtis reflected on Blackadder’s enduring appeal during an appearance on the Cunningcast podcast with Tony Robinson.
“Why has it lasted well? I wonder whether one of the reasons is because it’s set in history it doesn’t date,” he explained.
Co-creator Curtis hinted at a new Blackadder project
Getty
He contrasted this with other classic sitcoms, noting how even “Fawlty Towers” was “starting to look a bit creaky round the edges.”
The writer credited the show’s longevity to its intensive development process, saying: “The actors not rehearsing, simply re-writing and arguing about the script for five days a week did make it very dense.”
“Therefore I do think it has a richness to it which means that when people return to it there’s still lots going on rather than it being very sort of unitary and simple.”
However, writer Ben Elton has poured cold water over the possibility of a full fifth series of the BBC comedy.
When asked about potential new settings for the show, such as the Russian Revolution, Elton was clear about his position.
“We could do any period. It would be a lovely thing to do,” he said. “But there will not be a fifth series of Blackadder, I think that’s pretty much a certainty.”
Curtis hinted that Atkinson is involved in plans for a Blackadder reunion
Getty
He added: “I have no interest in doing it. I don’t think any of us do, with the possible exception of Tony (Robinson).”
Elton did acknowledge the creative possibilities, noting: “If we did, the world would be our oyster. We could have fun with any period.”
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