Blackadder: Back & Forth

A wily, self-serving aristocrat who orchestrates the fake time-travel scheme and wagers his guests. He thrives on wit and manipulation, but his meddling with history creates chaos and unintended consequences. Throughout the voyage, he teeters between bravado and self-preservation, revealing a fixation on status and money.

Blackadder's loyal yet dim-witted servant who retrieves historic items for the wager and unwittingly helps set the dials. He embodies simple practicality and blunt honesty, providing a counterpoint to Blackadder’s scheming. His mix of loyalty and cunning-amidst-clumsiness keeps the plot moving.

The powerful monarch who mistakes Blackadder for an ancestor and threatens beheading unless she’s given a present. Regal and sharp-witted, she wields authority with a barber’s precision and a taste for minty gifts. Her presence drives a key twist that shifts the timeline and adds royal satire to the misadventure.

The renowned playwright encountered during the journey, offering a poised, literary presence amid the chaos. He becomes a humorous casualty of the time-travel prank, leaving an autograph that outlives him. His cameo underscores history’s celebrity culture and adds a meta-commentary on schoolboy lore.

A formidable Napoleonic-era commander whose era anchors the journey near the Battle of Waterloo. The plunder for the boots becomes a catalyst for a chase through the battlefield and a satirical riff on symbols of power. His presence helps ground the comic shifts in a recognizable moment of history.

The legendary outlaw encountered in Sherwood Forest who questions the moral basis of stealing from the rich. His clash with Blackadder’s motives and the Merry Men culminates in a dramatic twist that reframes heroism. The encounter parodies heroic legend while advancing the story’s social commentary.

Maid Marian appears as a bold Sherwood figure and later as Queen Marian in the evolving timeline. She shares a romantic moment with Blackadder and becomes an emblem of alliance between outlaw and crown. Her role blends romance with political nuance as the tale unfolds.

A pompous observer in the New Year’s Eve party whose theatrical authority amplifies the mock-serious tone of the time-travel scheme. His presence adds a layer of satirical weight to the ensemble cast.

The sharp-witted adviser who serves as a foil to Blackadder’s deception. He alternates between politeness and sarcasm, highlighting the absurdity of the situation and fueling the ensemble dynamic.

A brash military guest whose presence contributes to the party’s chaotic energy. He provides a straightforward counterpoint to time-travel antics and helps mirror the shifting contexts across eras.