In 1990, the same year the Hubble Space Telescope launched, Nelson Mandela was released from prison, and East and West Germany were reunited, British audiences witnessed the debut of Mr Bean. Premiering on ITV on January 1, 1990, and co-created by Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis, the series attracted an impressive 13.45 million viewers for its first episode.
In the 35 years since, Mr Bean has become one of television’s most recognisable comedy brands, distributed in over 200 territories and continually present on screens worldwide. The original live-action series, immortalised by Atkinson’s physical comedy, has produced two feature films (1997 and 2007) and, in 2002, was successfully reimagined in animated form. Today, the character is also an online sensation, boasting nearly a quarter of a billion followers across social media platforms.
Reflecting on the character’s longevity, Rowan Atkinson said: “You have to evolve and keep the changes coming to maintain relevance. I quite like the fact we’ve taken Mr Bean from the theatre, where he started in the 1970s, to live-action, films, animation and now YouTube. Generations enjoy the character equally – he’s a child trapped in a man’s body, and that’s always fun to watch.”
Earlier this year, the fourth season of Mr Bean: The Animated Series premiered in the UK on ITVX and Boomerang, and internationally on Warner Bros. Discovery’s kids’ channels and streaming platforms through deals brokered by Banijay Rights. Produced by Tiger Aspect Kids & Family (part of Banijay Kids & Family) and executive produced by Tom Beattie and Rowan Atkinson, who also voices the role, the series continues to expand the brand’s reach. Banijay Kids & Family holds the worldwide licensing and merchandising rights for Mr Bean.
