June is ‘Blackadder month’ for UKTV’s Gold

UKTV today announces that its comedy channel Gold will dedicate the month of June to celebrating the much-loved comedy series Blackadder, as the iconic show celebrates its 40th anniversary on June 15th.

Tony Robinson:

“Blackadder holds a special place in the nation’s heart and in mine too. I’m delighted to be part of its 40th Birthday celebrations on Gold. It’s been wonderful to journey back to where it all began and chat to some of the biggest names in comedy who made it all happen.”

As part of the celebrations, Gold has commissioned two brand new UKTV Originals, including Blackadder: The Lost Pilot and Blackadder: A Cunning Story.

In Blackadder: The Lost Pilot Sir Tony Robinson goes on a quest to discover the truth behind the Blackadder origin story. Tony’s journey takes him back in time to find out where Blackadder really began, and to uncover the story of the never-before-broadcast Blackadder pilot episode.

First series, The Black Adder, 1983, BBC/UKTV

Blackadder II, the second series from 1986, BBC / UKTV

It’s a personal story for Tony – Baldrick has defined his career and playing the character transformed his life. But Tony didn’t play Baldrick in the pilot. And there’s so much about Blackadder’s beginnings he doesn’t know.

Along the way he will speak to comedy greats including the series creator and writer Richard Curtis and co-writer Ben Elton. The climax of the programme will be a special screening of the never-before-broadcast pilot.

The second UKTV Original documentary Blackadder: A Cunning Story will take a look back at the making of the entire Blackadder series to commemorate the 40th anniversary, featuring contributions from Blackadder’s biggest fans including Jack Whitehall, Darren Harriott, Sarah Hadland, Ardal O’Hanlon and Nina Wadia.

The Black Adder, the first series is set in 1485 at the end of the British Middle Ages with the second offering Blackadder II is set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558–1603).

Blackadder the Third is vaguely set in the late 18th and early 19th century period known as the Regency while the final series ‘Goes Forth‘ is set in 1917, on the Western Front in the trenches of the First World War.

Blackadder II, 1986, BBC / UKTV

Blackadder III, series three, 1987, BBC / UKTV

Gerald Casey, Gold Channel Director:

“It’s such a thrill to be celebrating one of the UK’s best-loved series with this huge milestone. Blackadder is beloved by our Gold audience and still going strong on the channel, and I’m so happy to bring them something really special this June. True to form there will be big laughs guaranteed!”

Gold will celebrate Blackadder’s 40th anniversary throughout June with episodes from all four series stripped across weeknights, with the new commissions airing the week of the anniversary. Blackadder’s boxset will also be available on Sky, Virgin and Now.

Both documentaries are commissioned for UKTV by commissioning editor Kirsty Hanson and ordered by Gerald Casey, channel director for Gold and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning. Blackadder: The Lost Pilot will be produced by Red Sauce, and the producer is Owen Braben. Blackadder: A Cunning Story will be produced by Tiger Aspect, and the executive producers are Sarah Fraser and David Simpson, and producer director is Clyde Holcroft.

Blackadder Goes Forth, fourth series, 1989, BBC / UKTV