Rowan Atkinson is bringing back Blackadder, Mr Bean and more for special project
Rowan Atkinson has teased the return of Blackadder and other comic creations as part of a new show.
Rowan Atkinson is bringing back Mr Bean, Blackadder and more comedy creations for a new West End show.
The 71-year-old comedy legend is returning to London's iconic theatre district for the first time in four decades and as part of the special run of 30 Rowan Live shows, he's reviving some of his most iconic sketches and characters.
He said in a statement: "It is 40 years since I last did a comedy sketch show in the West End, and I thought it would be fun to perform again the sketches that began it all for myself and Richard Curtis, and in which my most well-known characters originated; alongside some surprise new material written especially for this show.”
In an announcement video for the West End run at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, Rowan can be seen pulling out costumes for a priest, Mr Bean, Blackadder and more.
The show will also feature new material created with Richard Curtis, Ben Elton and Howard Goodall.
Richard, who worked with Rowan on Blackadder and more, commented: "I first saw Rowan perform on stage in 1976, 50 years ago – and it was instantly clear to all of us that we were watching a unique, once-in-a-lifetime talent.
"50 years later, this summer, we started putting this show together in front of a small audience, and all that magic, that unique accuracy and comic genius, is still there for all to see.
"It’s such a joy and honour for me to be part of a show that will include the very best of Rowan on stage – all his voices, shapes, faces and characters. I hope it will make people very happy.”
Although Rowan will be bringing certain creations back for this live show, including Blackadder, he has made it clear in the past that he would never revive the character for a full project.
Back in December 2025, he told The Times newspaper: "[It would be] tricky [to bring it back]. And what’s the point? You’d just be desperately trying to reproduce the success of what you’d done decades ago.
"You’re on a hiding to nothing. The only motivation would be money. But I don’t think that would bring me into the fold."
When Blackadder came to an end after four seasons between 1983 and 1989, Atkinson went on to star in hit sitcom Mr. Bean for five years between 1990 and 1995 as well as spin-off Mr. Bean: The Animated Series and big screen movies Bean in 1997 and Mr. Bean's Holiday in 2007.
Rowan hasn't ruled out the possibility of that beloved character making another comeback in the future.
He said: "I’m not saying never, but it’s certainly not in the realms of my thinking at the moment ... 95 per cent of people who say hello to me on the street refer to me as Mr Bean, and that’s fine."
