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{{Short description|Third series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Blackadder the Third.jpg
| caption              = Title screen of ''Blackadder the Third''
| camera               =
| runtime              = 30 minutes
| writer               = {{ubl|[[Richard Curtis]]|[[Ben Elton]]}}
| director             = [[Mandie Fletcher]]
| producer             = [[John Lloyd (writer)|John Lloyd]]
| executive_producer   = 
| starring             = {{ubl|[[Rowan Atkinson]]|[[Tony Robinson]]|[[Hugh Laurie]]|[[Helen Atkinson-Wood]]}}
| voices               = 
| narrated             = 
| theme_music_composer = [[Howard Goodall]]
| opentheme            = 
| endtheme             = 
| country              = United Kingdom
| network              = [[BBC One|BBC1]]
| first_aired          = {{start date|1987|9|17|df=y}}
| last_aired           = {{end date|1987|10|22|df=y}}
| num_series           = 
| num_episodes         = 6 ([[List of Blackadder episodes|list of episodes]])
| list_episodes        = 
| related              = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Blackadder II]]''
* ''[[Blackadder: The Cavalier Years]]''
}} 
}}
'''''Blackadder the Third'''''{{hsp}}<ref>Presented as "Black Adder The Third" on the title screen, but referred to as one word by the BBC</ref> is the third series of the [[BBC]] sitcom ''[[Blackadder]]'', written by [[Richard Curtis]] and [[Ben Elton]], which aired on BBC1 from 17 September to 22 October 1987.<ref name="Ba3" /> The series is set during the [[Georgian Era]], and sees the principal character, [[Edmund Blackadder|Mr. E. Blackadder]], serve as butler to the [[George (Blackadder)|Prince Regent]] and have to contend with, or cash in on, the [[fad]]s of the age embraced by his master.

The successor to ''[[Blackadder II]]'', the series reduced the number of principal characters again compared with the previous series, but instead included a number of significant [[cameo role]]s by well-known comic actors.<ref name="Lewisohn">Lewisohn, Mark, [https://web.archive.org/web/20050408072600/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/b/blackadderthethi_7770770.shtml ''Blackadder the Third''] at the former BBC Guide to Comedy. Retrieved 3 June 2007</ref> The programme won a [[BAFTA]] award for Best Comedy Series in 1988 and received three further nominations.<ref name="tvnom">{{cite web |title=Television Nominations 1988 |url=http://www.bafta.org/awards/television/nominations/?year=1988 |publisher=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |access-date=2 November 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217054829/http://www.bafta.org/awards/television/nominations/?year=1988 |archive-date=17 February 2008}}</ref>

A fourth and final series, ''[[Blackadder Goes Forth]]'', aired in 1989.

==Plot==
''Blackadder the Third'' is vaguely set in the late 18th and early 19th century period known as the [[Regency era|Regency]], although it is not possible to precisely date any episode as the historical events and persons depicted and referenced are (perhaps intentionally) [[anachronistic]]. For example, the formal Regency (during which [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]] was incapacitated due to poor mental health and his son, [[George IV of the United Kingdom|George, Prince of Wales]], served as regent) was in place between 1811 and 1820, and the series repeatedly refers to George as "[[Prince Regent]]". However, the [[Ink and Incapability (Blackadder)|second episode]] depicts [[Samuel Johnson]] (who died in 1784) working on his groundbreaking dictionary (which was published in 1755). Likewise, the [[Duel and Duality (Blackadder)|final episode]] is set just before the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] (1805), but refers to George as Prince Regent, depicts George III as suffering from mental illness, and refers to Arthur Wellesley, who was not created "Viscount Wellington" until 1809, as "Wellington".

In the series, [[Mr. E. Blackadder]] Esquire ([[Rowan Atkinson]]) is the head butler to the [[George (Blackadder)|Prince of Wales]] ([[Hugh Laurie]]), who is a spoiled, foppish idiot. Despite Edmund's respected intelligence and abilities, he has no personal fortune to speak of. On the other hand, given the ease with which he is able to manipulate the prince, he is generally financially comfortable.  According to Edmund he has been serving the Prince Regent all of his life, ever since the prince was [[breastfeeding|breastfed]] (when he had to show the prince which part of [[Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz|his mother]] was "serving the drinks").

[[Baldrick#Blackadder the Third|Baldrick]] ([[Tony Robinson]]) remains similar to his ''[[Blackadder II]]'' [[Baldrick#Blackadder II|predecessor]], and although his "cunning plans" cease to be even remotely intelligent (except in the last episode), he is the most aware of political, religious and social events. As Blackadder himself is now a servant, Baldrick is labelled as Blackadder's "dogsbody". In this series, Baldrick often displays a more belligerent attitude towards his master, even referring to him once as a "lazy, big-nosed, rubber-faced bastard" or deliberately comparing his face to his Scottish cousin, MacAdder, who Blackadder openly believes to be ugly. Blackadder often affectionately calls him "Balders" (and Baldrick sometimes calls Blackadder "Mr. B.").

There are three main sets: the prince's quarters, which are opulently decorated; the below-stairs kitchen hangout of Blackadder and Baldrick, which is dark and squalid (though very large and with a very high ceiling); and finally [[Mrs. Miggins]]' [[coffeehouse]]. Mrs. Miggins' pie shop was a never-seen [[running gag]] in ''Blackadder II''; a descendant of hers is now finally shown, played by [[Helen Atkinson-Wood]].

The plots feature [[rotten borough]]s, Dr. [[Samuel Johnson]] (played by [[Robbie Coltrane]]), the [[French Revolution]] (featuring [[Chris Barrie]] as a revolutionary) and [[the Scarlet Pimpernel]], over-the-top [[English Renaissance theatre|theatrical actors]], squirrel-hating female [[highwayman|highwaymen]], the practice of settling quarrels with a [[duel]], and the discussion of tactics with the [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington|Duke of Wellington]] (played by [[Stephen Fry]]).

The last episode features Rowan Atkinson as Blackadder's Scottish cousin [[Edmund Blackadder|MacAdder]], supposedly a fierce [[Swordsmanship|swordsman]]. This leads to a dialogue in which Atkinson is acting both parts. After this episode, Blackadder finds fortune and ends up permanently posing as the Prince Regent after the real prince, disguised as Blackadder, dies after being fatally shot in the chest by the Duke of Wellington.

==Episodes==
{{see also|List of Blackadder episodes}}
The series aired for six episodes broadcast on Thursdays at 9:30&nbsp;pm on [[BBC One|BBC1]].<ref name="Ba3">{{cite web|title=BBC Programme Index - Blackadder the Third|url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?filt=b00hxsl1#top|publisher=BBC|accessdate=10 February 2025}}</ref> The titles of the episodes are always a noun paired with another, derived from an adjective [[alliteration|beginning with the same letters]], in the manner of the [[Jane Austen]] novels, ''[[Sense and Sensibility]]'' and ''[[Pride and Prejudice]]''. On the first broadcast, fifth episode "Amy and Amiability" was billed in the ''[[Radio Times]]'' under its working title of "Cape and Capability".<ref>[http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/582b7bdc566042bca99380dd8ef61f6e BBC Genome listing, 15 October 1987]</ref>

<onlyinclude>{{Episode table|background=#98FF98 |overall= |series= |title= |director= |writer= |aux2= |aux2T=Recorded date |airdate= |country=UK |episodes=
{{Episode list/sublist|Blackadder the Third
 |EpisodeNumber=13
 |EpisodeNumber2=1
 |Title=Dish and Dishonesty
 |DirectedBy=[[Mandie Fletcher]]
 |WrittenBy=[[Richard Curtis]] & [[Ben Elton]]
| Aux2            = {{Start date|df=yes|1987|06|19}}<ref>https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-the-third-dish-and-dishonesty Filming date included with description(s).</ref>
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=y|1987|9|17}}
 |ShortSummary=Blackadder attempts to win a by-election in the [[rotten borough]] of Dunny-on-the-Wold against the petulant teenage Prime Minister [[William Pitt the Younger]] (who plans to bankrupt Blackadder's master, the Prince Regent, by removing him from the [[Civil list]]), using Baldrick (later known as Mr. S Baldrick, the initial letter standing for "Sodoff") as the MP. Unfortunately, after Baldrick wins, he is manipulated into voting for Pitt, pushing Blackadder to meddle with politics even further.

Featuring [[Vincent Hanna]] as "his own great-great-great-grandfather".
 |LineColor=98FF98
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Blackadder the Third
 |EpisodeNumber=14
 |EpisodeNumber2=2
 |Title=Ink and Incapability
 |DirectedBy=Mandie Fletcher
 |WrittenBy=Richard Curtis & Ben Elton
| Aux2            = {{Start date|df=yes|1987|06|5}}<ref>https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-the-third-ink-and-incapability Filming date included with description(s).</ref>
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=y|1987|9|24}}
 |ShortSummary=The Prince decides to become patron of Dr. [[Samuel Johnson]] and his new [[dictionary]], until they become enemies after the prince offends Dr. Johnson. When Blackadder discovers that Baldrick has burnt the only copy of Dr. Johnson's dictionary, Blackadder must rewrite the dictionary.

Guest starring [[Robbie Coltrane]] as Dr. Johnson.
 |LineColor=98FF98
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Blackadder the Third
 |EpisodeNumber=15
 |EpisodeNumber2=3
 |Title=Nob and Nobility
 |DirectedBy=Mandie Fletcher
 |WrittenBy=Richard Curtis & Ben Elton
| Aux2            = {{Start date|df=yes|1987|07|10}}<ref>https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-the-third-nob-and-nobility Filming date included with description(s).</ref>
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=y|1987|10|1}}
 |ShortSummary=Irritated by the new obsession with all things French, Blackadder makes a bet with Lords Topper and Smedley and goes out to rescue an aristocrat and claim his 1,000 guineas.

Guest starring [[Tim McInnerny]], [[Nigel Planer]] and [[Chris Barrie]].

Note: Despite this being the third episode in the series, this was actually the last one to be filmed.
 |LineColor=98FF98
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Blackadder the Third
 |EpisodeNumber=16
 |EpisodeNumber2=4
 |Title=Sense and Senility
 |DirectedBy=Mandie Fletcher
 |WrittenBy=Richard Curtis & Ben Elton
| Aux2            = {{Start date|df=yes|1987|06|12}}<ref>https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-the-third-sense-and-senility Filming date included with description(s).</ref>
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=y|1987|10|8}}
 |ShortSummary=When an assassination attempt is made on the Prince, Blackadder decides to help him with his image by writing a public speech. Against Blackadder's advice, the Prince employs two over-the-top actors, Enoch Mossop and David Keanrick, to coach him on how to give the speech.

Guest starring [[Hugh Paddick]], [[Kenneth Connor]] and [[Ben Elton]].
 |LineColor=98FF98
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Blackadder the Third
 |EpisodeNumber=17
 |EpisodeNumber2=5
 |Title=Amy and Amiability
 |DirectedBy=Mandie Fletcher
 |WrittenBy=Richard Curtis & Ben Elton
| Aux2            = {{Start date|df=yes|1987|06|26}}<ref>https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-the-third-amy-and-amiability Filming date included with description(s).</ref>
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=y|1987|10|15}}
 |ShortSummary=When the Prince runs out of money, Edmund attempts to marry him off to the daughter of a rich industrialist, but is thwarted at every turn by the mysterious highwayman "The Shadow".

Guest appearances by [[Miranda Richardson]] as Amy Hardwood and [[Warren Clarke]] as Mr Hardwood.
 |LineColor=98FF98
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Blackadder the Third
 |EpisodeNumber=18
 |EpisodeNumber2=6
 |Title=Duel and Duality
 |DirectedBy=Mandie Fletcher
 |WrittenBy=Richard Curtis & Ben Elton
| Aux2            = {{Start date|df=yes|1987|07|03}}<ref>https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/blackadder-the-third-duel-and-duality Filming date included with description(s).</ref>
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|df=y|1987|10|22}}
 |ShortSummary=[[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington|The Duke of Wellington]] promises to kill the prince in a duel after the prince has an affair with two of the duke's nieces. Baldrick comes up with a plan involving Blackadder taking the prince's place in the duel, and Blackadder intends on using his mad Scottish cousin, MacAdder.

Guest starring [[Stephen Fry]] as the Duke of Wellington.
 |LineColor=98FF98
}}
}}</onlyinclude>

==Cast==
{{Main|List of Blackadder characters}}
[[File:Blackadder the Third cast.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The principal cast of ''Blackadder the Third'' in their Regency-styled costumes. Top (L-R): [[Rowan Atkinson]], [[Hugh Laurie]], [[Helen Atkinson-Wood]]. Bottom: [[Tony Robinson]]]]
<!-- FAIR USE of File:Blackadder the Third cast.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Blackadder the Third cast.jpg for rationale -->
* [[Rowan Atkinson]] as [[Mr. E. Blackadder|Edmund Blackadder]]
* [[Tony Robinson]] as [[Baldrick#Blackadder the Third|Baldrick]]
* [[Hugh Laurie]] as [[George, Prince Regent]]
* [[Helen Atkinson-Wood]] as [[Mrs Miggins]]
Although this series reduced the size of the show's cast, the programme featured guest appearances in each episode. [[Tim McInnerny]] decided not to continue playing the character of Lord Percy for fear of being [[Typecasting (acting)|typecast]], although he appeared in a guest role as Lord Topper in episode three.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} [[Stephen Fry]] and [[Miranda Richardson]], who had played major parts in ''[[Blackadder II]]'', also appeared in guest roles as the Duke of Wellington and a disguised highwayman, respectively. Fry and McInnerny would return as regular performers for the [[Blackadder Goes Forth|fourth series]] of ''Blackadder''. Other notable guest stars included [[Denis Lill]] as Sir Talbot Buxomley MP, [[Robbie Coltrane]] as Dr. Samuel Johnson, and [[Hugh Paddick]] and [[Kenneth Connor]] as stage actors Keanrick and Mossop, respectively.

==Music and titles==
The opening theme is this time a [[minuet]] played on a [[harpsichord]], [[oboe]] and cello over close-ups of Blackadder searching a [[bookcase]].<ref>[http://www.howardgoodall.co.uk/tvthemes/tv.htm Official Howard Goodall website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205022625/http://www.howardgoodall.co.uk/tvthemes/tv.htm |date=5 February 2012 }}. Retrieved 17 March 2007</ref> The credits and title appear on the books' spines, and each has a condition and script to match each character, for example Baldrick's is plain and in poor condition. Other amusing interspersed titles include ''From [[Black Death]] to Blackadder'', ''The [[Jacobite Rising of 1745|Blackobite Rebellion of 1745]]'', ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica|The Encyclopædia Blackaddica]]'' and ''Landscape Gardening'' by [[Lancelot "Capability" Brown|Capability Brownadder]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} Hidden inside a [[Concealing something in a book|hollow book]], he finds a romance novel (complete with [[cover art]]) bearing the title of the particular episode. The [[closing credits]] are presented in the style of a [[Event programme|theatre programme]] from a [[English drama|Regency-era play]], and with an [[accordion]] closing theme that [[sample (music)|sample]]s the melody of the original theme.

==Awards==
The programme won a [[BAFTA]] award for Best Comedy Series in 1988.<ref name="tvnom"/> It was also nominated for three more awards; Rowan Atkinson for "Best Light Entertainment Performance", Antony Thorpe for "Best Design" and Victoria Pocock for "Best Make Up".<ref name="tvnom"/>{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} The four series of ''[[Blackadder]]'' were voted second in the BBC's ''[[Britain's Best Sitcom]]'' in 2004.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sitcom/winner.shtml The final top-ten of Britain’s Best Sitcom]. Retrieved 4 April 2008</ref>

==Media releases==
''Blackadder The Third'' is available on [[BBC Worldwide]]-distributed DVD and [[VHS]] video as an individual series or as part of a boxset with the other series of ''Blackadder''. A [[BBC Radio Collection]] audio version created from the TV soundtrack is available on cassette and CD.<ref>{{Cite video | people = BBC Radio Collection | title = Blackadder Goes Forth | medium = CD | publisher = BBC Audiobooks Ltd | location = London | date = 7 July 2003}}</ref> All four seasons and the Christmas special are available on [[iTunes]].<ref>{{Cite video | people = Apple iTunes Store| title = Blackadder Goes Forth | medium = aac codec | work = BBC Worldwide | location = London |year=2010}}</ref> The complete scripts of the four television series were released in 1998 as ''Blackadder: The Whole Damn Dynasty 1485–1917'', and by Penguin Books in 2009.<ref>{{Cite book | last = Curtis | first = Richard |author2=Atkinson, Rowan |author3=Elton, Ben | title = Blackadder: The Whole Damn Dynasty 1485–1917 | publisher = Michael Joseph Ltd (original) / Penguin (reissue) | date = 2 July 2009 | location = London  | isbn = 978-0-7181-4372-5}}</ref>

===VHS releases===

* In June 1988, November 1988, and February 1989, BBC Enterprises Ltd released all six episodes of ''Blackadder the Third'' on two videos. They were re-released on 7 September 1992 as a double VHS, and on 2 October 1995 as a single video.

{|class="wikitable" width=99%
!VHS video title
!Year of release/BBFC rating
!Episodes

|- style="text-align:center;"
| align="center"|''Blackadder The Third: Sense and Senility'' (BBCV 4135)
| align="center"|6 June 1988 (15)
| align="center"|Sense and Senility, Amy and Amibility, Duel and Duality
|-
| align="center"|''Blackadder The Third- Dish and Dishonesty'' (BBCV 4176)
| align="center"|7 November 1988, and 6 February 1989 (PG)
| align="center"|Dish and Dishonesty, Ink and Incapability, Nob and Nobility
|-
| align="center"|''Blackadder The Third- Sense and Senility'' (BBCV 4177)
| align="center"|7 November 1988, and 6 February 1989 (15)
| align="center"|Sense and Senility, Amy and Amibility, Duel and Duality 
|-
| align="center"|''The Complete Blackadder the Third'' (Double Pack) (BBCV 4786)
| align="center"|7 September 1992 (15)
| align="center"|'''TAPE 1:''' Dish and Dishonesty, Ink and Incapability, Nob and Nobility,<br>'''TAPE 2:''' Sense and Senility, Amy and Amibility, Duel and Duality 
|-
| align="center"|''Blackadder the Third- The Entire Historic Third Series'' (BBCV 5713)
| align="center"|2 October 1995 (15)
| align="center"|Same as 'The Complete Blackadder the Third' but with all 6 episodes on a single video: Dish and Dishonesty, Ink and Incapability, Nob and Nobility, Sense and Senility, Amy and Amiability, Duel and Duality
|}

===DVD releases===
{| class="wikitable" width="90%"
|-
!DVD title !! DVD Content !! Region 1 !! Region 2 !! Region 4
|-
|''Blackadder 3''<br />||Complete third series, no extras.|| {{center|26 June 2001}} || {{center|5 February 2001}}|| {{center|28 February 2002}}
|-
| ''The Complete Blackadder'' || All four series, no extras.<br />|| {{center|N/A}} || {{center|12 November 2001}} || {{center|3 October 2002}}
|-
| ''Blackadder – The Complete Collection'' || All four series and specials, no extras.<br />|| {{center|26 June 2001}} || {{center|3 October 2005}} || {{center|N/A}}
|-
| ''Blackadder Remastered – The Ultimate Edition'' || All four series and specials remastered, plus ''Blackadder Rides Again'' documentary, audio commentaries on selected episodes and interviews with cast.|| {{center|20 October 2009}} || {{center|15 June 2009}} || {{center|1 October 2009}}
|}

===LaserDisc release===
''Blackadder The Third'' was released on a double [[LaserDisc]] set by Encore Entertainment in May 1997. The episodes were spread over three of the four sides.

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote|Blackadder#Blackadder_the_Third|Blackadder the Third}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0092324|title=Blackadder the Third (1987)}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050408072600/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/b/blackadderthethi_7770770.shtml ''Blackadder the Third''] at the former BBC Guide to Comedy (archive)
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/blackadderthethird/ ''Blackadder the Third''] at the new BBC Comedy Guide

{{Blackadder}}
{{Richard Curtis}}
{{Ben Elton}}
{{BAFTA TV Award for Best Comedy (Programme or Series) 1981–1999}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}

[[Category:1980s British sitcoms]]
[[Category:1987 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:1987 British television series endings]]
[[Category:1980s British black comedy television series]]
[[Category:Alternate history television series]]
[[Category:BBC black comedy television shows]]
[[Category:BBC television sitcoms]]
[[Category:Blackadder]]
[[Category:British parody television series]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of George III]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of George IV]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of William Pitt the Younger]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Regency era]]
[[Category:Television shows set in London]]
[[Category:Television series set in the 18th century]]
[[Category:Television series set in the 19th century]]
[[Category:Television series set in the 1810s]]
[[Category:Works about Samuel Johnson]]