The Black Adder (Pilot)

This Episode: Original Pilot Episode
Black Adder Overall: Special 1
Airdate: 15 Jun 2023
Written by Richard Curtis & Rowan Atkinson
Directed by Geoff Posner (credited as Producer)

Notes

• The original pilot’s name was officially “The Black Adder”.
• Was recorded on 20 Jun 1982.
• This pilot episode was for the longest time referred to as “The Unaired Pilot”, but it was eventually aired on TV on 15 Jun 2023 as part of the show’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
• It is basically the same plot as the Series I episode “Born to be King“.
• The pilot was set in the Elizabethan era similar to Series II.  This is evident in some of the characters’ clothing.
• Baldrick’s “cunning plan” jokes starts all the way back here at the original pilot.  It’s a bit more extended than it is later on, as well.
• Most of the characters are the same, but some actors are different. In this the King is played by John Savident (not Brian Blessed). Baldrick is played by Philip Fox (not Tony Robinson).  Prince Harry is played by Robert Bathurst (not Robert East).  The remainder of the regular cast is as they were in Series I.
• There is an article on the Radio Times site about the original pilot with an interview with Tony Robinson about his not taking the role at that time.
• The pilot was shown in a theatrical showing with the cast and friends.  That was later broadcast, but is the ultimate source of what’s going on here.

Links