12 Lesser-Known Facts About Blackadder Goes Forth

by James Hunt

Primarily set in the World War I trenches, Blackadder Goes Forth is often regarded as the most beloved season of the Blackadder series. Its fame is largely due to the poignant and unforgettable final scene, which honors the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers during the war. While this emotional climax remains etched in the minds of comedy enthusiasts globally, there are numerous intriguing details about the season—and its broader context (now available for streaming on Hulu for U.S. viewers)—that many may not be aware of.

1. THE CREATORS AND CAST FREQUENTLY CLASHED.

While the camaraderie on earlier Blackadder series was a highlight for everyone involved, tensions arose during the production of Blackadder Goes Forth. The seasoned cast, including comedic talents like Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, and Rowan Atkinson, frequently questioned and modified the script, much to the frustration of writers Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, who viewed these changes as counterproductive.

Tony Robinson, portraying Private Baldrick, later revealed that "the writers believed we were making unilateral changes that harmed the script" and that "by the final stages, they felt we had taken control of it entirely."

2. STEPHEN FRY CAME UP WITH CAPTAIN DARLING'S NAME.

Despite occasional friction, collaboration still played a role in the series. Initially named "Captain Cartwright," Tim McInnerny's character was renamed Darling after Stephen Fry proposed the idea, inspired by an old schoolmate. Though initially dismissed as a one-note joke, the name ultimately became a recurring source of humor throughout the series.

3. TIM MCINNERNY AGREED TO COME BACK FOR THE FOURTH SEASON ON ONE CONDITION: HE HAD TO PLAY A FRESH CHARACTER.

Following Blackadder II, Tim McInnerny felt his fame as Lord Percy was hindering his aspirations as a serious actor. After a limited role in Blackadder The Third, he agreed to return for Blackadder's Christmas Carol and Blackadder Goes Forth, but only if he could portray a completely new character unrelated to his previous roles.

4. BLACKADDER'S FAKED INSANITY WAS INSPIRED BY ROWAN ATKINSON'S REAL-LIFE ANTICS.

In the series finale, Goodbyeee, Blackadder tries to avoid combat by pretending to be insane, wearing underpants on his head and inserting pencils into his nostrils. This humorous tactic was directly inspired by Rowan Atkinson's real-life habit of amusing his colleagues by sticking pencils up his nose during rehearsals and script meetings.

5. PRIVATE BALDRICK'S NAME BECAME A POPULAR CHOICE FOR REGIMENTAL GOATS.

The show's immense popularity among the British military led to an unusual trend: according to producer John Lloyd, half of all regimental goats were named Baldrick at one point. Tony Robinson, who played the beloved character, explained in a 2017 interview with The Sun that Baldrick resonated deeply with soldiers. "He represents the common man," Robinson said, "and most armies are made up of ordinary individuals following orders from superiors they often consider less intelligent. It’s no wonder so many goats were named Baldrick."

The series' widespread appeal is further highlighted by accounts from the first Gulf War, where numerous British military camps in Iraq were named after iconic characters from the show.

6. CAPTAIN DARLING'S EYE TWITCH WAS GENUINE ... BUT UNINTENTIONAL.

Tim McInnerny, portraying Captain Darling, developed a noticeable eye twitch during filming. What began as an intentional nervous tic became involuntary due to the intense six-week rehearsal and shooting schedule. It took him an additional two months to stop the twitch, and he initially worried it might become permanent.

7. A LAWYER'S NAME WAS ALTERED TO COMPLY WITH ADVERTISING RULES.

In the episode Corporal Punishment, Blackadder seeks the help of a brilliant lawyer named Bob Massingbird. However, in the remastered version, the name is dubbed over. Originally, the character was called Bob Moxon-Browne, named after one of Rowan Atkinson's lawyer friends. The change was made last minute to avoid violating the BBC's advertising restrictions, as the mention could be seen as a personal endorsement.

8. THE SHOW INCORPORATED CLIPS FROM A CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER FILM.

Given the World War I setting, finding suitable aerial combat footage for the episode Private Plane proved challenging. The scenes used were sourced from the 1976 British/French war film Aces High, featuring Malcolm McDowell, Christopher Plummer, and John Gielgud. The movie chronicles a week in the life of a Royal Flying Corps squadron, highlighting the perilous mortality rate among pilots.

9. THE ICONIC ENDING WAS A RESULT OF SERENDIPITY.

What many consider a happy accident or creative fortune led to the series' unforgettable final scene. Initially, the plan was to depict the cast being gunned down, mirroring the endings of previous seasons. However, due to technical issues with the footage, the team had to improvise. By slowing down the available clips and transitioning to a field of poppies, they crafted an ending that has since become one of the most celebrated and emotionally resonant conclusions in sitcom history.

"The tone is absolutely perfect," David Sims remarked in The A.V. Club, reflecting on the series' closing moments. "Rather than showing the characters being violently gunned down (the set they ran across was far from flawless, prompting a quick cutaway), the transition to a field of poppies delivers a profoundly moving and understated visual impact."

10. THE FINAL THEME'S ECHO WAS RECORDED IN A VACANT GYM.

While modern technology allows for easy digital effects, the eerie echo in the piano-based closing theme was achieved organically. Musician Howard Goodall recorded the piano in an empty gymnasium, creating the haunting resonance that defines the season's finale.

11. THE ORIGINAL ENDING INCLUDED A SURPRISE TWIST.

While the aired ending differed from the initial plan, the original version featured an intriguing twist. After the cast appeared to fall dead, Blackadder was revealed to have faked his death, rising to sneak away and abandon his fallen comrades. This alternate ending is included in the remastered DVD collection as part of the documentary Blackadder Rides Again. Additionally, a scrapped epilogue would have shown Blackadder as an elderly grandfather who had survived the war.

12. THE SHOW WAS SO EXCEPTIONAL THAT IT HAD TO CONCLUDE. BUT A REVIVAL HAS BEEN HINTED AT.

The brilliance of Blackadder Goes Forth ultimately led to its conclusion. The writers and cast believed that a fifth season would face harsh criticism if it didn't meet the exceptional standards set by the fourth. Many felt that continuing the series would be creatively risky. When longtime producer John Lloyd departed from the BBC, it seemed to seal the show's fate.

However, the original creators and cast have frequently hinted at the possibility of a revival. "I believe a new season of Blackadder is likely," Robinson told The Sun in 2015. "I’ve discussed it with almost everyone in the cast. The only hurdle is Hugh [Laurie]’s fee," he quipped. "He’s a massive star now—or so he claims."

Last year, Atkinson expressed hesitancy about the idea, stating, "I’m very cautious about speculating on a new season. There are no current plans," but he did reveal a past concept. "Two decades ago, there was an idea called Redadder that never materialized, but I found it intriguing," Atkinson shared at the BFI & Radio Times Television Festival.

"The story was set in Russia during 1917, with Blackadder and Baldrick employed by the Tsar," he added. "They wore caps with blue stripes, but after the Revolution, they found themselves in the same office, now sporting red caps. Rik Mayall, fittingly, portrayed Rasputin. It was a clever concept with a cinematic scope."