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Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson had a cunning plan… to create a much-loved British sitcom.
And their historical hit Blackadder has gone on to regularly appear in lists of the UK’s greatest comedy shows.
Starting in 1983 and ending in 1989, with a Millennium special in 1999, it followed the adventures of self-serving Edmund Blackadder and his dim-witted manservant Baldrick.
It also helped launched the careers of some of Britain's best loved comedy stars.
But where are the main cast now? Here, in one of nine 'where are they now?' features included in your free Daily Star pullout this Friday, we reveal all…
Rowan Atkinson (Edmund Blackadder)
As the lead character, Blackadder is one of two roles that appear in every episode, the other being Baldrick.
After the show ended, Atkinson went on to have major success with his silent comedy act Mr Bean.
He has also appeared in Rat Race, Love Actually and plays spoof spy character Johnny English in the film series.
He has been in a relationship with comedian Louise Ford, 26 years his junior, since 2014 and became a dad at the age of 62 four years ago.
Tony Robinson (Baldrick)
After he finished playing hapless Baldrick, known for his “I have a cunning plan” catchphrase, Robinson went on to present archaeology show Time Team and has narrated several other historical programmes.
He also created the children’s comedy series Maid Marian And Her Merry Men and played the sheriff of Nottingham in the show.
In 2011, he married wife Louise Hobbs, 38, and the pair recently adopted a rescue dog called Holly Berry.
In 2013, he was knighted for services to drama.
Tim McInnerny (Lord Percy/Captain Darling)
McInnerny played the foppish Lord Percy Percy in series one and two.
Fearing being typecast, he only returned as a guest star in the third series. He then returned for Blackadder Goes Forth playing smarmy Captain Darling.
After the show, McInnerny acted with Rowan Atkinson in Johnny English Reborn and Hugh Laurie in 101 Dalmatians, and also appeared in Notting Hill and Game of Thrones.
Most recently, he played Belgian diplomat Paul Siemons in The Serpent – the story of the international manhunt for serial killer Charles Sobhraj.
Stephen Fry (Melchett)
Melchett was a recurring character in both Blackadder II, as Queenie’s sycophantic personal adviser, and in Blackadder Goes Forth, where he was a pompous, warmongering World War one general.
Along with Hugh Laurie, he starred in A Bit of Fry & Laurie and Jeeves And Wooster, and became the host of QI.
In 1997, he won a Golden Globe for his lead performance in the film Wilde.
In 2015, he married writer Elliott Spencer, 30 years his junior.
Recently, he played a closeted Conservative MP in It’s A Sin.
Hugh Laurie (George)
Laurie played the hapless Prince George in Blackadder The Third, and Lieutenant George in Blackadder Goes Forth.
After the show ended he had major success, becoming a double act with fellow Blackadder star Stephen Fry and breaking America with his role as the lead in medical drama House.
This ran from 2004 to 2012 and saw Laurie win two Golden Globes for his performances.
He has also had roles in films 101 Dalmatians, The Man In The Iron Mask and The Personal History of David Copperfield.
Miranda Richardson (Queenie)
A recurring character in Blackadder II, Richardson played a ditsy incarnation of Elizabeth I.
She played tabloid reporter Rita Skeeter in the Harry Potter films, and was nominated for two oscars – Best supporting Actress for Damage (1992) and Best Actress for Tom & Viv (1994).
She’s also been in Sleepy Hollow, Chicken Run and The Hours.
Most recently, she appeared in the TV adaptation of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens as the medium Madame Tracy. Likes falconry.
Rik Mayall
Lord Flashheart appeared in Blackadder II, where he often flirted with Queenie, and Blackadder Goes Forth.
Mayall had a successful career after Blackadder, co-creating and starring in Bottom, and playing corrupt politician Alan B’stard in The New statesman, a role he reprised in the West End in 2006.
In 1998 he almost died and fell into a coma after a quad bike crash.
He passed away from a sudden heart attack in 2014, aged just 56.
Miriam Margolyes (Lady Whiteadder)
Margolyes played Blackadder’s puritanical aunt who later falls off the wagon in Blackadder II.
She played Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, was the Nurse in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo And Juliet and won a BAFTA for her role in Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence.
Her TV credits include Miss Marple, Call The Midwife and Doc Martin.
The openly gay actress became an Australian citizen in 2013.
She caused controversy making a joke on The Last Leg about Boris Johnson dying of coronavirus.
- BBC
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