Blackadder Series 1 – Known as The Blackadder

Blackadder Series 1 is very different from the others. This series was written by Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis, and was first broadcast way back in 1983.

The main difference between this and the other series, is that the character of Blackadder is very different.

Blackadder Season 1

Blackadder Series 1 - this series of Blackadder is very different from the others, mainly because the characters of Baldrick and Blackadder appear to be reversed.

In Blackadder Series 1, Blackadder is depicted more as a snivelling and weak buffoon, as opposed to the more selfish, manipulative and conniving character he became in the later series.

Baldrick on the other hand, is more intelligent and genuinely cunning. In a way, it is like their roles are reversed.

Is Blackadder Series 1 Funny?

Whilst Blackadder Series 1 does have some great moments, there is no denying that it is the weak link in the Blackadder chain.

It feels a lot more dated, and at times, the character of Blackadder is quite cringe-worthy.

Still, any Blackadder fan worth their salt will have watched this dozens of times, and know it word for word!

Blackadder Series 1 Episode List

(Known as The Blackadder)

0. Pilot Episode

1.The Foretelling

2.Born to be King

3.The Archbishop

4.The Queen of Spain’s Beard

5.Witchsmeller Pursuivant

6.The Black Seal

Full Cast List for Blackadder Series 1

Here’s the Black Adder Series 1 cast:

Rowan Atkinson Rowan Atkinson
 Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh / … (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Elspet Gray Elspet Gray
 The Queen / … (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Tim McInnerny Tim McInnerny
 Percy / … (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Patrick Allen Patrick Allen
 Narrator / … (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Brian Blessed Brian Blessed
 King Richard IV / … (6 episodes, 1983)
Tony Robinson Tony Robinson
 Baldrick / … (6 episodes, 1983)
Robert East Robert East
 Harry, Prince of Wales (6 episodes, 1983)
Bert Parnaby Bert Parnaby
 Cain, A Blind Beggar / … (3 episodes, 1983)
Roy Evans Roy Evans
 Abel, A Blind Beggar / … (3 episodes, 1983)
David Nunn David Nunn
 Messenger / … (3 episodes, 1983)
Perry Benson Perry Benson
 Daft Ned, A Peasant / … (3 episodes, 1983)
Alex Norton Alex Norton
 McAngus / … (2 episodes, 1982-1983)
Forbes Collins Forbes Collins
 Dopey Jack, A Peasant / … (2 episodes, 1983)
Barbara Miller Barbara Miller
 Jane Firkettle / … (2 episodes, 1983)
Howard Lew Lewis Howard Lew Lewis
 Mr. Applebottom / … (2 episodes, 1983)
Natasha King Natasha King
 Princess Leia of Hungary (2 episodes, 1983)
Stephen Frost Stephen Frost
 Soft, A Guard (2 episodes, 1983)
John Carlisle John Carlisle
 Murdered Lord (1 episode, 1983)
Peter Cook Peter Cook
 Richard III (1 episode, 1983)
Paul McDowell Paul McDowell
 Herbert, Archbishop of Canterbury (1 episode, 1983)
John Savident John Savident
 The King (1 episode, 1982)
Frank Finlay Frank Finlay
 The Witchsmeller Pursuivant (1 episode, 1983)
Arthur Hewlett Arthur Hewlett
 Godfrey, Archbishop of Canterbury / … (1 episode, 1983)
Peter Benson Peter Benson
 Henry VII (1 episode, 1983)
Peter Benson Robert Bathurst
 Prince Henry (1 episode, 1982)
Joyce Grant Joyce Grant
 Mother Superior (1 episode, 1983)
Carolyn Colquhoun Carolyn Colquhoun
 Sister Sara (1 episode, 1983)
Des Webb Des Webb
 Person of Unrestricted Growth (1 episode, 1983)
Philip Fox Philip Fox
 Baldrick (1 episode, 1982)
John Barrard John Barrard
 Retired Morris Dancer (1 episode, 1983)
Richard Murdoch Richard Murdoch
 Ross, A Lord (1 episode, 1983)
Valentine Dyall Valentine Dyall
 Angus, A Lord (1 episode, 1983)
Miriam Margolyes Miriam Margolyes
 Infanta Maria Escalosa of Spain (1 episode, 1983)
Rik Mayall Rik Mayall
 Mad Gerald – Himself (1 episode, 1983)
Simon Gipps-Kent Simon Gipps-Kent
 Rudkin (1 episode, 1982)
Jim Broadbent Jim Broadbent
 Don Speekingleesh, An Interpreter (1 episode, 1983)
Angus Deayton Angus Deayton
 Jumping Jew of Jerusalem (1 episode, 1983)
Philip Kendall Philip Kendall
 Painter (1 episode, 1983)
William Russell William Russell
 The Duke of Winchester (1 episode, 1983)
Peter Schofield Peter Schofield
 Fife, A Lord (1 episode, 1983)
Oengus MacNamara Oengus MacNamara
 Jesuit (1 episode, 1982)
Paul Brooke Paul Brooke
 Friar Bellows (1 episode, 1983)
Joolia Cappleman Joolia Cappleman
 Celia, Countess of Cheltenham (1 episode, 1983)
Jane Freeman Jane Freeman
 Mrs. Applebottom (1 episode, 1983)
Kathleen St. John Kathleen St. John
 Goneril (1 episode, 1983)
Mark Arden Mark Arden
 Anon, A Guard (1 episode, 1983)
Martin Clarke Martin Clarke
 Sir Dominick Prique of Stratford (1 episode, 1983)
John Rapley John Rapley
 Rev. Lloyd (1 episode, 1983)
Michael Walter Michael Walter
 Jack Large (1 episode, 1983)
Gretchen Franklin Gretchen Franklin
 Cordelia (1 episode, 1983)
Roger Sloman Roger Sloman
 Three Fingered Pete (1 episode, 1983)
Martin Soan Martin Soan
 2nd Wooferoonie (1 episode, 1983)
Malcolm Hardee Malcolm Hardee
 3rd Wooferoonie (1 episode, 1983)
Patrick Malahide Patrick Malahide
 Guy of Glastonbury (1 episode, 1983)
Stephen Tate Stephen Tate
 Lord Chiswick (1 episode, 1983)
Bill Wallis Bill Wallis
 Sir Justin de Boinod (1 episode, 1983)
David Delve David Delve
 Sir George de Boeuf (1 episode, 1983)
John Hallam John Hallam
 Sir Wilfred Death (1 episode, 1983)
Kenn Wells Kenn Wells
 1st Messenger (1 episode, 1983)
Richard Mitchley Richard Mitchley
 2nd Messenger (1 episode, 1983)
Leslie Sands Leslie Sands
 Lord Graveney (1 episode, 1983)
Ron Cook Ron Cook
 Sean, The Irish Bastard (1 episode, 1983)
Patrick Duncan Patrick Duncan
 Officer, An Officer (1 episode, 1983)
Willoughby Goddard Willoughby Goddard
 Archbishop (1 episode, 1983)
Harriet Keevil Harriet Keevil
 Lady on Ramparts (1 episode, 1983)
Sarah Thomas Sarah Thomas
 Mrs. Field, A Goodwife (1 episode, 1983)
Louise Gold Louise Gold
 Mrs. Tyler, A Goodwife (1 episode, 1983)
Jay Bura Jay Bura
 Prince in the Tower (uncredited) (1 episode, 1983)
Tan Bura Tan Bura
 Prince in the Tower (uncredited) (1 episode, 1983)
Nicola Critcher Nicola Critcher
 Princess (uncredited) (1 episode, 1983)
Charlie Dean Charlie Dean
 Countess Caroline of Luxembourg (uncredited) (1 episode, 1983)
Terry Duran Terry Duran
 Guard (uncredited) (1 episode, 1983)
David Fieldsend David Fieldsend
 King’s Knight (uncredited) (1 episode, 1983)
Salo Gardner Salo Gardner
 Devil (uncredited) (1 episode, 1983)
Stephen Gressieux Stephen Gressieux
 Lord (uncredited) (1 episode, 1983)
Joan Harsant Joan Harsant
 Nun (uncredited) (1 episode, 1983)
Gideon Kolb Gideon Kolb
 Jumping Jew (uncredited) (1 episode, 1983)

You’ll probably notice some household names there in this Blackadder season 1 cast list!

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