News | Entertainment
16 Jan 2026 11:07
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Rowan Atkinson will never revive Blackadder because "the only motivation would be money"

    The 70-year-old actor starred in four series of the hit historical comedy between 1983 and 1989, and Atkinson has now insisted a revival is out of the question because even a hefty pay cheque would not be enough to lure him back because he doesn't see the "point" in a revival.


    He told The Times newspaper: "[It would be] tricky [to bring it back]. And what’s the point? You’d just be desperately trying to reproduce the success of what you’d done decades ago. You’re on a hiding to nothing. The only motivation would be money. But I don’t think that would bring me into the fold."
    After Blackadder came to an end, Atkinson went on to star in hit sitcom Mr. Bean for five years between 1990 and 1995 as well as spin-off Mr. Bean: The Animated Series and big screen movies Bean in 1997 and Mr. Bean's Holiday in 2007.
    However, Atkinson hasn't ruled out the possibility of the beloved character making another comeback in the future.
    He said: " I’m not saying never, but it’s certainly not in the realms of my thinking at the moment ... 95 per cent of people who say hello to me on the street refer to me as Mr Bean, and that’s fine."
    Atkinson went on to insist he doesn't care about the opinions of his friends and family or critics when it comes to his work.
    He explained to the publication: "I measure success in strict, objective terms. It’s viewing figures and box office numbers. I wish no disrespect to critics, pundits, commentators, influencers. But they are not who I am interested in.
    "I remember reading an interview with a well-known director who was asked how he derives satisfaction from his work. He said: 'In the end it’s the opinions of friends, family and professional peers that I respect the most.'
    "And I couldn’t agree less. I have no interest in those people. If friends and family like it, that’s of passing interest but not lasting interest. I’m interested in the guys out there I genuinely don’t meet ...
    "It’s not ‘oh goody, I’ll make more money now’, or I hope it isn’t. It’s just that’s where the satisfaction is, from entertaining a wide audience. The bigger it is the better."
    He also has little interest in taking on projects which aren't going to be commercial, adding: "I’m not someone who says: 'Oh I’ve always wanted to do some Kafka.'
    "I find it quite hard to get excited about uncommercial stuff."


    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     16 Jan: Golden Globes bosses hope Nikki Glaser will return as host in 2027
     16 Jan: Rihanna has joked she might have a fourth child
     16 Jan: Matt Damon's wife thought Ben Affleck was "the cute one" in Good Will Hunting long before the couple met
     16 Jan: Kit Harington was "genuinely angered" by a fan petition calling for the final season of Game of Thrones to be remade
     16 Jan: Tommy Lee Jones is reportedly keeping a "low profile" while he grieves the death of his daughter Victoria Jones
     16 Jan: Jason Segel "can't wait" to marry his fiancee, Kayla Radomski
     16 Jan: Hamnet taught Paul Mescal that he cannot be his best self without his loved ones
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The timing of Scott Robertson's annual review may have accelerated the All Blacks coach's exit More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    ???1;The construction sector's feeling optimistic, despite weak demand More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Golden Globes bosses hope Nikki Glaser will return as host in 2027 10:53

    Politics:
    The timing of Scott Robertson's annual review may have accelerated the All Blacks coach's exit 10:47

    National:
    Seven Dials: Netflix series turns Agatha Christie’s country-house mystery into a study of empire and war 10:27

    Environment:
    The Whakatane, Opotiki and Gisborne districts are the latest to be hit by severe thunderstorms 10:27

    Entertainment:
    Rihanna has joked she might have a fourth child 10:23

    National:
    Do Woolworths shoppers want Google AI adding items to buy? We’ll soon find out 10:17

    International:
    Negin Ghadimi wanted to share her voice in protest with Iranians, she died in her father's arms 10:07

    National:
    One uprising, two stories: how each side is trying to frame the uprising in Iran 10:07

    Politics:
    State schools can now apply for a one-off grant to help cover asbestos removal costs 10:07

    Entertainment:
    Matt Damon's wife thought Ben Affleck was "the cute one" in Good Will Hunting long before the couple met 9:53


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd