
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.
As part of the celebrations Gold has commissioned two brand new UKTV Originals, including Blackadder: The Lost Pilot (1x 80), produced by Red Sauce, and Blackadder: A Cunning Story (1x120) produced by Tiger Aspect (a Banijay UK company).
In Blackadder: The Lost Pilot Sir Tony Robinson goes on a quest to discover the truth behind the Blackadder origin story. Tonys 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.
Its a personal story for Tony - Baldrick has defined his career and playing the character transformed his life. But Tony didnt play Baldrick in the pilot. And theres so much about Blackadders beginnings he doesnt 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.
Tony Robinson said:
Blackadder holds a special place in the nations heart and in mine too. Im delighted to be part of its 40th Birthday celebrations on Gold. Its 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.
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 Blackadders biggest fans including Jack Whitehall, Darren Harriott, Sarah Hadland, Ardal OHanlon and Nina Wadia.
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.
Gerald Casey said:
Its such a thrill to be celebrating one of the UKs best-loved series with this huge milestone. Blackadder is beloved by our Gold audience and still going strong on the channel, and Im so happy to bring them something really special this June. True to form there will be big laughs guaranteed!
Kirsty Hanson said:
Blackadder is a comedy icon, and we are proud to be celebrating 40 years with two fantastic new shows. With a TV first and some of the biggest names in comedy coming to the channel, viewers are in for a treat this Summer.
Tom Edwards, creative director at Red Sauce for Blackadder: The Lost Pilot said:
As a lifelong Blackadder fan, craving new material since it ended 30 years ago, I was beyond excited to learn of the existence of the lost pilot. Were so thrilled to share that in full with viewers, along with the thoughts and feelings of an amazing cast of stars, as well as Tonys own very personal perspective.
Sarah Fraser executive producer at Tiger Aspect for Blackadder: A Cunning Story said:
Tiger comedy has a rich heritage, and we are happy to be a part of this special celebration, featuring some top talent and newer fans of Blackadder. All bringing a fascinating insight into how this legendary series was made and still stands up today.
Gold will celebrate Blackadders 40th anniversary throughout June with episodes from all four series stripped across weeknights, with the new commissions airing the week of the anniversary. Blackadders boxset will also be available on Sky, Virgin and Now.
For more information, please contact:
Caroline Watt, consumer publicity manager
About Gold
Dedicated to celebrating the best of British comedy, Gold is the nations favourite comedy channel. Classic British comedy series loved by all the family sit comfortably alongside new UKTV Original scripted comedies crafted by some of the nations finest comedic minds, such as Dads Army: The Lost Episodes, Murder, They Hope, The Cockfields and Sandylands. Meanwhile Golds unscripted series reunite the stars and partnerships of the nations best-loved shows to get to the heart of what makes them so evergreen - from passion projects such as French & Saunders: Funny Women, Billy Connolly Does..., Lenny Henrys Race Through Comedy and Ricky and Ralfs Very Northern Road Trip to the retrospective likes of dinnerladies diaries and The Fast Show: Just A Load of Blooming Catchphrases.
Gold is the perfect tonic to make you laugh whatever the time of day.
gold.uktv.co.uk | @goldchannel
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - Dave, Gold, W, Drama, Alibi, Eden and Yesterday - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to audiences through UKTV Play, Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat and Amazon Fire. The broadcaster is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers.
UKTV is part of BBC Studios, the UKs most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the worlds leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
corporate.uktv.co.uk | press.uktv.co.uk | @uktvpress
More from UKTV
20/09/2023
New automotive series to follow the work of mechanic Sheldon Nichols and bodywork specialist, Peter Harriott as they source, restore and upgrade classic cars
2...
14/09/2023
14th September 2023 Award-winning UKTV Original series Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivabl...
12/09/2023
Mrs Sidhu Investigates, Signora Volpe S1, Whitstable Pearl S1-2, Darby and Joan,...
12/09/2023
12th September 2023
Big Zuu launches pop-up restaurant, Big Zuus Big Eatery, ...
24/08/2023
24th August 2023
Jimmy Carr confirmed as host of brand new show
Exciting new format from Koreas Something Special will see pairs of comedians and celebritie...
23/08/2023
23rd August 2023
Launch marks UKTVs debut in the FAST channel market
Channels to launch on leading FAST services Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee and Pluto T...
22/08/2023
22nd August 2023
Comedian Lorna Rose Treen wins Daves Funniest Joke of The Fringe Award with zookeeper joke
A shortlist of jokes were chosen by a panel of U...
17/08/2023
17th August 2023 UKTV have recommissioned their hit classic car show, Bangers & Cash for the Yesterday channel and free streaming service UKTV Play, for 46 new ...
07/08/2023
7th August 2023 UKTV has appointed Tracy-Jean, known as TJ, as Commissioning Executive to work on the multi-channel broadcasters successful factual and factual ...
02/08/2023
2nd August 2023 UKTV has commissioned Katherine Ryan: Parental Guidance (W/T) (4x60) a brand-new documentary series led by comedian Katherine Ryan for free-to-a...
01/08/2023
1st August 2023 The nations favourite comedy channel Gold is marking The Royle F...
20/07/2023
20th July 2023 UKTV has today announced the celebrity line-up for series four of Daves BAFTA-winning entertainment series Big Zuus Big Eats. The upcoming series...
03/07/2023
Monday 3 July 2023 Award-winning documentary maker, Stacey Dooley MBE and UKTVs free-to-air channel W will return to explore more fascinating and unusual lifest...
30/06/2023
Derek Mathewson, 71, among the likes of Harry Kane, Ed Sheeran, Colin Firth, and Dame Judi Dench who have been awarded the Freedom of the City of London.
Thur...
26/06/2023
Monday 26 June 2023 UKTVs free-to-air entertainment channel W and catch-up service UKTV Play have commissioned a brand-new documentary series which follows the ...
26/06/2023
Monday 26 June 2023 Alan Davies, Roisin Conaty, Guz Khan, Judi Love, Chris McCausland and Laura Smyth have all been confirmed to take part in the outdoor surviv...
22/06/2023
Thursday 22 June 2023 Filming has started today on the third series of the hugely popular BBC Studios Continuing Drama production, Sister Boniface Mysteries. Se...
20/06/2023
Thursday 15th June 2023 Martin Kemp, Anita Dobson, Terry Mynott, Ed Kear, Peter Davison, Jack Carroll, Rosie Cavaliero join the cast of Golds comedy Christmas s...
20/06/2023
Tuesday 20 June 2023 - UKTV has secured the rights to air So Help Me Todd (21x60) and Evil S3 (10x60) on its crime channel Alibi, and all five series of A Milli...
13/06/2023
Tuesday 13th June 2023 UKTV announces the return of Rosie Joness Disability Come...
12/06/2023
Monday 12 June 2023 UKTVs catalogue of original drama continues to grow, with the latest commission of The Red King (6x60) for leading crime drama channel Alibi...
05/06/2023
The two-part drama, written by Robert Thorogood, will star Samantha Bond, Jo Mar...
01/06/2023
A new portrait of Blackadder was revealed at one of Englands greatest mansion houses
Tourists were left bemused - mistaking the comedy character for Shakespea...
24/05/2023
Scampston Hall in North Yorkshire on Saturday 12th August and Sunday 13th August...
23/05/2023
Tuesday 23 May 2023 A fleet of nuns ride through London landmarks to launch second series of Sister Boniface Mysteries on Drama and UKTV Play
London commuters ...
17/05/2023
Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley with baby Minnie
Wednesday 17 May 2023 UKTVs free-to-air channel W and on-demand service UKTV Play have secured exclusive acces...
16/05/2023
Tuesday 16 May After the phenomenal success of the UKTV Original franchise Murde...
10/05/2023
David Mitchell returns to test comedians survival skills in David Mitchells Outsiders series three London, 10th May 2023: UKTV today announces that David Mitche...
09/05/2023
Tuesday 9 May 2023: Daves unofficial entry to the Eurovision Song Contest is now live on Daves YouTube channel - @DaveTVChannel.
We Also Wrote A Song is writt...
02/05/2023
Tuesday 2nd May 2023: UKTVs BAFTA award-winning series Big Zuus Big Eats will be back and bigger than ever for a fourth series (8x40) this Autumn on Dave and UK...
25/04/2023
Thursday 26 January 2023 UKTVs free-to-air entertainment channel W has commissio...
21/04/2023
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 cel...
20/03/2023
20 March 2023 - UKTV has appointed Jason Dawson as commissioning executive to help grow the multichannel broadcasters comedy entertainment slate. Starting today...
28/02/2023
28th February 2022 UKTV today announces that acclaimed Gavin and Stacey stars Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb, are reuniting for brand new UKTV Original series, ...
21/02/2023
21st February 2023 - UKTVs factual channel Yesterday has commissioned a new UKTV original series, Retro Electro Workshop (10X60), a new and informative document...
07/02/2023
Tuesday 7 February 2023 Alibis brand-new drama The Diplomat starts 28th February at 9pm.
The UKTV Original series has a star-studded line-up including Sophie R...
06/02/2023
6th February 2023 - Award-winning broadcaster UKTV has today announced it has invested in the UKs leading biography-writing service, StoryTerrace, using its mul...
02/02/2023
2 February 2023 - UKTV has commissioned a third series of Secrets of the London Underground (10x60) for its leading factual channel, Yesterday. Produced by Brow...
26/01/2023
Thursday 26 January 2023 UKTVs free-to-air entertainment channel W has commissio...
12/01/2023
- UKTV grew views to free streaming service UKTV Play by 27% last year and added over one million registered users
- The network also achieved record SOCI (sha...
09/01/2023
9 January 2023 - Hilary Rosen, UKTVs Director of Commissioning has announced today that Helen Nightingale and Mark Iddon have been promoted to Head of Factual a...
05/01/2023
4 January 2023 - Penny Brough, UKTVs Chief Marketing Officer has announced today that after a rigorous external recruitment process, Nick Gilmer has been promot...
14/12/2022
Wednesday 14 December 2022 Three new US based families have been confirmed for the brand-new UKTV Original series Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over USA. The hit series,...
08/12/2022
8 December 2022 - UKTV today announced it has appointed Tim Bertioli as its new Director of Media Services, taking on responsibility for the Technology and Oper...
05/12/2022
5th December 2022 Jokes about political mishaps, 80s pop comebacks and award show dramas voted funniest in annual festive gag competition Featuring Kate Bush, W...
30/11/2022
Tuesday 29 November 2022 Hit crime drama Miss Scarlet and the Duke is set to return to Alibi in late Spring 2023, whilst filming on a fourth series gets underwa...
29/11/2022
Six-part true story of the Mitford sisters
29th November 2022 UKTV free-to-air channel Drama announces its first UKTV Original commission Outrageous (6x60), pr...
23/11/2022
23rd November 2022 - UKTV has promoted Brendan Kilcawley to Director of UKTV Ventures to lead UKTVs multi-million pound Airtime for Equity investment fund after...
21/11/2022
Monday 21 November, 2022 UKTV has commissioned Get Off My Phone!, six short-form...
18/11/2022
18 November 2022 - Sam Tewungwa, BBC Studios Chief Commercial Officer for the UK Region has announced today that the business will restructure the Commercial te...