Every Rowan Atkinson Film & TV Project Ranked From Worst To Best

Were it not for a weak first series, there would be a strong argument for Blackadder to be number one on this list. Know as The Black Adder, it was largely carried by the bombastic Brian Blessed as the fictional King Richard IV, whereas Atkinson's character is presented as dim-witted and toadyish, developing very little throughout the series.

Thankfully, somebody at the BBC saw enough in the initial run to commission a second series, and the rest is pseudohistory.

From here we would see various generations of the Blackadder line negotiating differing periods of British history, generally tied together by sarcastic wit, an over-inflated sense of entitlement, and a superior who is an absolute moron.

The final series Blackadder Goes Forth would end with a genuinely haunting scene referencing the madness, and avoidable loss of life that characterised the First World War.

One of the strongest collaborative projects in British television history, the addition of Ben Elton to the writing team from the second series would kickstart the show's success, and Atkinson had some great talent to bounce off, including Hugh Laurie, ditch enthusiast Tony Robinson, a few legendary cameos from the likes of Rik Mayall.