The Extraordinary Evolution of a British Comedy Icon: A History of Mr. Bean

Mr. Bean is a critically acclaimed British sitcom, meticulously crafted by renowned comedic talents Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis, and professionally produced by Tiger Aspect Productions. The series features Atkinson in the titular role, presenting a collection of 15 precisely developed episodes. These episodes were collaboratively written by Atkinson, Curtis, and Robin Driscoll, with the pilot episode additionally benefiting from Ben Elton's creative input. The series premiered on ITV, commencing with its pilot episode on January 1, 1990, and concluding with a comprehensive retrospective, "The Best Bits of Mr. Bean," on December 15, 1995.

The Mr. Bean series, originating from a character developed by Rowan Atkinson during his master's studies at the University of Oxford, centers on a protagonist characterized as "a child in a grown man's body" who navigates everyday challenges through unconventional problem-solving methods. Rooted in the tradition of physical comedy exemplified by Jacques Tati and early silent film performers, the series achieved remarkable success during its original five-year run.

The show demonstrated exceptional audience engagement, with a peak viewership of 18.74 million for the episode "The Trouble with Mr. Bean" and garnering prestigious international recognition, including the Rose d'Or award. Its global appeal has been extensively documented, with distribution across 245 territories worldwide. The franchise has expanded beyond its original television format, spawning an animated series, two feature films, and notable performances such as Atkinson's memorable appearance at the 2012 London Summer Olympics opening ceremony. The series' unique communication approach, which minimizes dialogue, has been instrumental in its international success, enabling cross-cultural accessibility and ensuring its entertainment value transcends linguistic barriers.

Mr. Bean

Genre: Sitcom

Created by: Rowan Atkinson, Richard Curtis

Written by: Ben Elton (Episodes 1 and 15), Richard Curtis (Episodes 1–7 and 15), Robin Driscoll (Episodes 2–14), Rowan Atkinson

Directed by: John Howard Davies (Episodes 1–3, 15), John Birkin (Episodes 4–7, 10–14), Paul Weiland (Episodes 8–9)

Starring: Rowan Atkinson

Opening theme:

"Mr. Bean's theme" by Sid & the Comeds (Episode 1)

"Ecce homo" by the Choir of Southwark Cathedral (Episodes 2–11; 14)

"Ecce homo" by the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral (Episodes 12 and 13)

Ending theme:

"Mr. Bean's theme (reprise)" by Sid & the Comeds (Episode 1)

"Vale homo" by the Choir of Southwark Cathedral (Episodes 2–6, 8–10)

"Vale homo" by the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral (Episodes 13 and 15)

"Vale homo" (instrumental) (Episodes 7, 11, 12 and 14)

Composer: Howard Goodall

Country of origin: United Kingdom

Original language: English

No. of episodes: 15

No. of movies: 2

Production

Executive producer: Peter Bennett-Jones

Producers: John Howard Davies (Episodes 1–3), Sue Vertue (Episodes 4–9, 12–15), Peter Bennett-Jones (Episodes 10–11 and 15)

Camera setup: Multi-camera

Running time: 24–26 minutes

Production company: Tiger Aspect Productions

Original release

Network: ITV

Release: 1 January 1990 – 15 December 1995

Movies Release date: August 1, 1997 (Bean), March 24, 2007 (Mr. Bean's Holiday)