Blackadder

The first series, made in 1983, was titled The Black Adder and was set in the fictional reign of "Richard IV".

Tim McInnerny as Lord Percy Percy, Blackadder's dimwitted sidekick in The Black Adder and Blackadder II—initially the Duke of Northumberland in the former, then heir to the same title in the latter—and as Captain Kevin Darling, Blackadder's antagonistic rival, in Blackadder Goes Forth. He also appeared as The Scarlet Pimpernel (alias Lord Topper and Le Comte de Frou Frou) in the Blackadder the Third episode "Nob and Nobility", and reprised his role as Darling in Back & Forth.

Miranda Richardson was only a regular cast member for Blackadder II, in which she played Queen Elizabeth I, reprising the role in Blackadder's Christmas Carol and Back & Forth, alongside additional characters. However, she also played significant one-off roles as Amy Hardwood (a.k.a. The Shadow) in "Amy and Amiability" from Blackadder the Third, and Mary Fletcher-Brown, a dutiful nurse in "General Hospital" from Blackadder Goes Forth.

Brian Blessed, Elspet Gray and Robert East appeared in all six episodes of The Black Adder as the Black Adder's father (King Richard IV), mother (Queen Gertrude) and brother (Prince Harry), respectively. Gray had also appeared in the non-broadcast pilot.

Patsy Byrne played Nursie in all six episodes of Blackadder II, but never featured in either of the subsequent series, either as a regular character or one-off. She briefly reprised the character in Blackadder's Christmas Carol and Back & Forth.

Helen Atkinson-Wood played the role of Mrs. Miggins in all six episodes of Blackadder the Third, but did not appear again in the series, although the character was mentioned several times in Blackadder II and in the final episode of Blackadder Goes Forth.