Fans of the classic BBC series Blackadder have long clamored for the show’s return. And it seems one of the biggest hurdles preventing the show from returning is – as always – money.
Speaking candidly with The Sun, Blackadder alumni Sir Tony Robinson spoke about the cast’s willingness to return, as well as made some not so subtle jokes about the fame of fellow actor Hugh Laurie.
I do think a new series of Blackadder is on the cards. I have spoken to virtually all the cast about this now. The only problem is Hugh’s fee. He’s a huge star now — or so he’d like to think.
After finishing his tenure on Blackadder, Laurie would go on to achieve great fame – as well as critical acclaim – as the genius (albeit curmudgeon) Dr. Gregory House on the hit series House from 2004 to 2012. He also became one of TV’s top paid actors, earning almost a half-million dollars per episode, and can currently be seen on HBO's Veep.
Indeed, many of the actors from Blackadder would go on to bigger and better things after the show’s conclusion. Sir Tony Robinson went on to host Time Team, and Rowan Atkinson later created his iconic Mr. Bean persona. However, despite his joking, Robinson seems convinced that a new series will make it to the small screen, and the humorous hurdle of fees will be overcome.
Blackadder was a BBC show whose premise made it unique, as well as popular. Each series focused on a cynical, bumbling character named Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson), and as the show progressed, each consecutive series and special would center on a new Blackadder descendent and take the show to a new era. In each series, Robinson played Blackadder's sidekick and/or servant Baldrick.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Robinson acknowledges the inherent difficulties one faces when reviving a show such as Blackadder. In the 26 years since the show went off the air (not counting the specials), fans have developed a fondness for the show as they remember it, and that fondness creates a certain set of expectations. No matter how high the quality of the new Blackadder series, it will always struggle to meet those grand expectations. But we hope they're willing to take that challenge.
