Rowan Atkinson in a tights spot with Horrible Histories role

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jan/06/rowan-atkinson-horrible-histories-blackadder-bbc

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Rowan Atkinson will don tights for the first time since Blackadder to play Henry VIII in BBC children’s TV series, Horrible Histories.

It is a rare TV role for Atkinson, who last played Blackadder in a millennium special, since when his small screen appearances have largely been limited to sketches, Top Gear and the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, where he played his other most famous creation, Mr Bean.

Atkinson is one of a number of comics to take part in the new run of Horrible Histories, which is an unexpected treat for fans after it was thought the fifth series, in 2013, would be its last. Atkinson will sport ginger whiskers for the role – and sing a song.

Other guest stars in the new series will include Ben Miller as King John, Lorna Watson as Boudicca, Kevin Eldon as William the Conqueror, Kathryn Drysdale (Cleopatra) and Sanjeev Bhaskar. Tom Rosenthal, one of the stars of Channel 4’s Friday Night Dinner, will play King Alfred.

The award-winning children’s show, which has brought countless historical periods to life for children through a series of Pythonesque sketches and songs, first aired on the BBC’s digital channel, CBBC, in 2009.

Despite being targeted at an audience of six- to 12-year-olds, the show’s broad appeal among viewers of all ages meant it became the first children’s show to win the best sketch prize at the British Comedy awards.

The BBC said the new series would add a “bold twist” to its “much-loved revolting recipe of sketches and songs, peppered with gruesome gags and hideous hilarity”.

Each episode of the new run will take a sideways look at the life and times of one prominent historical figure in a line-up that will also include established favourites including Sarah Hadland as Queen Victoria, Simon Farnaby as George III and Jim Howick as Winston Churchill and Napoleon.

A special episode marking 800 years since the signing of the Magna Carta will feature a “rap battle” between King John, played by Miller, and his barons. It will air both on CBBC and BBC2, as part of its Magna Carta season of programmes.

Other historical characters to feature in the show, made by independent production company Lion TV, will include Mary Queen of Scots, played by Jessica Ransom, and Oliver Cromwell, played by Lawry Lewin.

Its return comes after many of the show’s original cast and team went on to make Yonderland for Sky 1, as well as a film, Bill, based on the life of the young Henry VIII. Made by BBC Films, it is due for release later this year.

CBBC controller Cheryl Taylor said: “Horrible Histories has a well-earned reputation as one of the most popular TV shows of a generation, delighting children and adults alike.

“CBBC was delighted to hear that a sixth series was on the cards and to combine the considerable talents of the some of the original cast with such a dazzling array of well-known and hilarious guest stars is the icing on a very large and delicious historical cake. We are all fidgeting with ill-concealed anticipation.”

The show’s historical consultant Greg Jenner told Radio 2 on Monday that the programme makers “thought we needed to up our game” for the new series.

Executive producer Richard Bradley said: “We trust fans will enjoy the slightly new format – we think it opens up lots of interesting new history to explore and of course acres of new comedy potential.”

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