Blackadder the Third

Blackadder the Third
Title screen of Blackadder the Third
Created by	Richard Curtis & Ben Elton
Starring	Rowan Atkinson Tony Robinson Hugh Laurie Helen Atkinson-Wood
Theme music composer	Howard Goodall
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language(s)	English
No. of episodes	6
Production
Producer(s)	John Lloyd
Running time	30 minutes
Release
Original network	BBC One
Picture format	4:3
Audio format	Monaural sound
Original release	17 September 1987 – 22 October 1987
Chronology
Preceded by	Blackadder II
Followed by	Blackadder: The Cavalier Years
External links
Website

Blackadder the Third is the third series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, which aired from 17 September to 22 October 1987. The series was set during the British Regency, and saw the principal character, Mr. E. Blackadder serve as butler to the Prince Regent and have to contend with, or cash in on, the fads of the age embraced by his master.

The third series reduced the number of principal characters again compared with the previous series, but instead included a number of significant cameo roles by well-known comic actors. The programme won a BAFTA award for Best Comedy Series in 1988 and received three further nominations.

Blackadder the Third is set in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a period known as the Regency. For much of this time, King George III was incapacitated due to poor mental health, and his son George, the Prince of Wales, acted as regent. During this period, he was known as "the Prince Regent". Although the Regency was in place between 1811 and 1820, the historical events and persons depicted and referenced appear to date the series before this time; anywhere in the period of the Age of Enlightenment between 1755 (the publication of Samuel Johnson's Dictionary) and 1805 (just before the Battle of Trafalgar).