Lord/Squadron Leader Flashheart in Blackadder II/Blackadder Goes Forth (1986/1989)
“Woof!” Despite only appearing in two episodes, Mayall’s performance as arrogant heartthrob, Lord Flashheart, made a huge impact on audiences. His explosive first appearance, in which he nonchalantly steals Lord Blackadder’s bride, has been viewed on YouTube more than a million times. The series, which was written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, focuses on the various historical reincarnations of the often conniving Edmund Blackadder, played by Rowan Atkinson. Mayall stole every scene he had as Flashheart, often taking his fellow cast members by surprise with the sheer audacity of his character. During his grand entrance in Blackadder II, Mayall left the likes of Stephen Fry, Miranda Richardson and Atkinson in awe-inspired silence, as he woofed, growled and thrusted his way onto the set – all the while, playing up to his adoring audience.
Flashheart appeared again in Blackadder Goes Forth, as a suave and heroic WW2 Squadron Leader. Mayall also played a similarly rambunctious incarnation of Robin Hood in the special, Blackadder: Back and Forth. Below is the infamous and easily quipped scene in which Mayall made an ever-lasting impression on our screens – “Flash by name, Flash by nature!”