Witchsmeller Pursuivant

This Episode: Season 1, Episode 5
Black Adder Overall: Episode 5
Airdate: 13 Jul 1983
Written by Rowan Atkinson & Richard Curtis
Directed by Martin Shardlow

Notes

• The castle scenes were filmed at the real life location “Alnwick Castle“.  The same castle appeared in Downton Abbey as Brancaster Castle.
• The title card for this episode is only one of two of all 24 episodes of Black Adder where a guest star’s name appears in the titles. The other time that happened was in the final episode “Goodbyeee“.
• While the line was used in two episodes before this one, this is where Tony Robinson feels the traditional Baldric line “I have a cunning plan” originated.
• The titular “Witchsmeller” is played by Frank Finlay.  He’s one of those actors who looks like he’s been in everything, but oddly not Doctor Who. Only appearance there was in a Big Finish audio titled “100“.
• Lord Angus is played by Valentine Dyall.  He’s been in a handful of Doctor Who stories as “The Black Guardian” (“The Armageddon Factor“, “Mawdryn Undead“, “Terminus“, “Enlightenment“.)
• The Child bride of Black Adder appears again from the last episode.

Links