View source for Mr. Bean

{{Short description|British television sitcom (1990–1995)}}
{{About|the original live-action television programme|the title character|Mr. Bean (character)|the animated spinoff|Mr. Bean: The Animated Series{{!}}''Mr. Bean: The Animated Series''|other uses}}
{{Pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Mr. bean title card.jpg
| caption              = Original title card from 1992 to 1995
| genre                = [[Sitcom]]
| creator              = {{unbulleted list|[[Rowan Atkinson]]|[[Richard Curtis]]}}
| writer               = {{unbulleted list|[[Ben Elton]] (Episodes 1 and 15)|Richard Curtis (Episodes 1{{ndash}}7 and 15)|[[Robin Driscoll]] (Episodes 2{{ndash}}14)|Rowan Atkinson}}
| director             = {{unbulleted list|[[John Howard Davies]] (Episodes 1–3, 15)|[[John Birkin]] (Episodes 4{{ndash}}7, 10{{ndash}}14)|[[Paul Weiland]] (Episodes 8{{ndash}}9)}}
| starring             = Rowan Atkinson
| open_theme           = "Mr. Bean's theme" by Sid & the Comeds (Episode 1)<br>"Ecce homo" by the Choir of Southwark Cathedral (Episodes 2{{ndash}}11; 14)<br>"Ecce homo" by the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral (Episodes 12 and 13)
| end_theme            = "Mr. Bean's theme (reprise)" by Sid & the Comeds (Episode 1)<br>"Vale homo" by the Choir of Southwark Cathedral (Episodes 2{{ndash}}6, 8{{ndash}}10)<br>"Vale homo" by the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral (Episodes 13 and 15)<br>"Vale homo" (instrumental) (Episodes 7, 11, 12 and 14)
| composer             = [[Howard Goodall]]
| country              = United Kingdom
| language             = English
| num_episodes         = 15
| list_episodes        = List of Mr. Bean episodes
| executive_producer   = [[Peter Bennett-Jones]]
| producer             = {{unbulleted list|John Howard Davies (Episodes 1{{ndash}}3)|[[Sue Vertue]] (Episodes 4{{ndash}}9, 12{{ndash}}15)|Peter Bennett-Jones (Episodes 10{{ndash}}11 and 15)}}
| camera               = [[Multi-camera]]
| runtime              = 24–26 minutes
| company              = [[Tiger Aspect Productions]]{{efn|In association with [[Thames Television]] until 1993 and in association with [[ITV Central|Central Independent Television]] until 1995.}}
| network              = [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]
| first_aired          = <!-- This date is as shown on the official website. Do not change it without citing an even more reliable source -->{{Start date|1990|1|1|df=yes}}<ref name=TL>{{cite web|url=http://www.mrbean.com/timeline|title=Mr Bean&nbsp;— Timeline|publisher=Tiger Aspect Productions Ltd|access-date=8 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219134210/http://www.mrbean.com/timeline|archive-date=19 December 2013}}</ref>
| last_aired           = {{End date|1995|12|15|df=yes}}
| related              = {{ubl|
*''[[Bean (film)|Bean]]''
*''[[Mr. Bean: The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Mr. Bean's Holiday]]''
}}
}}

'''''Mr. Bean''''' is a [[British sitcom]] created by [[Rowan Atkinson]] and [[Richard Curtis]], produced by [[Tiger Aspect Productions]] and starring Atkinson as [[Mr. Bean (character)|the title character]]. The sitcom consists of 15 episodes that were co-written by Atkinson alongside Curtis and [[Robin Driscoll]]; the [[Mr. Bean (Mr. Bean episode)|pilot episode]] was co-written by [[Ben Elton]]. The series originally aired on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]], beginning with the pilot episode on 1 January 1990<ref name=TL /> and ending with "[[The Best Bits of Mr. Bean]]" on 15 December 1995.

Based on a character developed by Atkinson while he was studying for his master's degree at the [[University of Oxford]], the series centres on [[Mr. Bean (character)|Mr. Bean]], described by Atkinson as "a child in a grown man's body", as he solves various problems presented by everyday tasks and often causes disruption in the process.<ref name= cavendish>{{cite web |url=http://living.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=2323922005 |title=Atkinson has Bean there and he's done with that| first= Lucy| last= Cavendish | website= scotsman.com| publisher= | date= 30 November 2005 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061018071947/http://living.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=2323922005 |archive-date=18 October 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date= 20 June 2025}}</ref> The series has been influenced by [[physical comedy]] actors such as [[Jacques Tati]] and those from early [[silent film]]s.<ref name= cavendish/>

During its original five-year run, ''Mr. Bean'' was met with widespread acclaim and attracted large television audiences. The series was viewed by 18.74&nbsp;million viewers for the episode "[[The Trouble with Mr. Bean]]"<ref name= barb-TTWMB>{{cite web| title= Resources – 1992 – Top 10 Programmes | url = http://www.barb.co.uk/resources/tv-facts/since-1981/1992/top10 | website = barb.co.uk | publisher = [[Broadcasters Audience Research Board]] | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131014114659/http://www.barb.co.uk/resources/tv-facts/since-1981/1992/top10 | archivedate= 14 October 2013  | accessdate = 20 June 2025}}</ref> and has received a number of international awards, including the [[Rose d'Or]]. The series has since been sold in 245 territories worldwide. It has inspired an [[Mr. Bean: The Animated Series|animated spin-off]] and two theatrical feature-length films, along with Atkinson reprising the titular role for a performance at the [[2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony]] in London, television commercials, and several sketches for [[Comic Relief]]. The programme carries strong appeal in hundreds of territories worldwide because, in addition to the acclaim from its original run, it uses very little intelligible dialogue, making it accessible to people who know little or no English.

== Origin ==
The character of [[Mr. Bean (character)|Mr. Bean]] was developed while [[Rowan Atkinson]] was studying for his master's degree in electrical engineering at [[The Queen's College, Oxford]]. A [[Sketch comedy|sketch]] featuring Bean was performed at the [[Edinburgh Fringe]] in the early 1980s.<ref name=cavendish/>  Robert Box, a similar character also played by Atkinson, appears in the one-off 1979 ITV sitcom ''[[Canned Laughter (sitcom)|Canned Laughter]]'' which also features routines used in [[Bean (film)|the motion picture]] in 1997.{{cn|date=July 2025}}

One of Bean's earliest appearances occurred at the "[[Just for Laughs]]" comedy festival in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], [[Canada]], in 1987. When programme coordinators were scheduling him into the festival programme, Atkinson insisted that he perform on the French-speaking bill rather than the English-speaking programme. Having no French dialogue in his act at all, programme coordinators could not understand why Atkinson wanted to perform on the French bill instead. As it turned out, Atkinson's act at the festival was a test platform for his character and he wanted to see how his character's physical comedy would fare on an international stage with a non-English speaking audience.<ref name=" Interview with Rowan Atkinson">{{cite web| url= http://www.justforlaughs.com/videos/show/3889-rowan-atkinson-mr-bean-s-rowan-atkinson-interview-2007_Festival |title= Interview with Rowan Atkinson| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405175111/http://www.justforlaughs.com/videos/show/3889-Rowan-Atkinson-Mr-bean-s-rowan-Atkinson-interview-2007_Festival |archivedate=5 April 2008 | first= Rowan| last= Atkinson| website= justforlaughs.com| date= 2007 | publisher= | interviewer= | access-date= 14 March 2008}}</ref>

The character's name was not decided until after the first episode had been produced; a number of other vegetable-influenced names such as "Mr. Cauliflower" were explored.<ref>[http://www.mrbean.co.uk/uk/quiz/ Mr Bean official website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816202223/http://www.mrbean.co.uk/uk/quiz/ |date=16 August 2010 }}. Retrieved 6 September 2010.</ref> Atkinson cited the earlier comedy character [[Monsieur Hulot]], created by French comedian and director [[Jacques Tati]], as an influence on the character.<ref>[http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/rmhttp://worldservice/learningenglish/entertainment/scripts/entertainment_070329_bean.pdf Transcript of interview with Rowan Atkinson]{{dead link|date=September 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} at [[bbc.co.uk]]. Retrieved 14 March 2008.</ref> Atkinson also cited the influence of [[Peter Sellers]], who had previously played similar "fumbling fool" characters, notably [[Hrundi Bakshi]] in ''[[The Party (1968 film)|The Party]]'' (1968) and [[Inspector Clouseau]] in ''[[The Pink Panther]]'' films.<ref>{{cite news |title=Want funny? See his movies. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-13-ca-welkos13-story.html |access-date=8 September 2019 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=13 July 2003 |archive-date=8 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108092024/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-13-ca-welkos13-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Stylistically, ''Mr. Bean'' is also  similar to early [[silent film]]s, relying purely upon [[physical comedy]] with Mr. Bean speaking very little dialogue (although like other live-action sitcoms during this period, it featured a [[laugh track]]). This has allowed the series to be sold worldwide without any significant changes to dialogue.<ref name="Interview with Rowan Atkinson"/><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.hahaha.com/en/history/1989.html |title= Just for Laughs festival 1989| website= hahaha.com| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071010113154/http://www.hahaha.com/en/history/1989.html |archivedate= 10 October 2007 |access-date= 14 March 2008}}</ref> In November 2012, Atkinson told ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' of his intentions to retire the character, stating that "someone in their fifties being childlike becomes a little sad".<ref>{{cite web|title=Rowan Atkinson suggests end is in sight for Mr Bean| url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/9684184/Rowan-Atkinson-suggests-end-is-in-sight-for-Mr-Bean.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/9684184/Rowan-Atkinson-suggests-end-is-in-sight-for-Mr-Bean.html |archive-date= 11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=2 November 2018|date=17 November 2012| first= Victoria| last= Ward}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rowan Atkinson signals the end for Mr Bean: 'Playing him is childish and sad'| url=http://metro.co.uk/2012/11/17/rowan-atkinson-signals-the-end-for-mr-bean-playing-him-is-childish-and-sad-497992/|work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]| publisher=DMG Media|access-date=25 October 2013|date=17 November 2012|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029184301/http://metro.co.uk/2012/11/17/rowan-atkinson-signals-the-end-for-mr-bean-playing-him-is-childish-and-sad-497992/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, however, Atkinson changed his mind by saying that he would never retire playing Mr. Bean.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-03-21/rowan-atkinson-i-will-never-wave-goodbye-to-mr-bean|title=Rowan Atkinson: I will never wave goodbye to Mr Bean|website=RadioTimes|access-date=23 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324114506/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-03-21/rowan-atkinson-i-will-never-wave-goodbye-to-mr-bean/|archive-date=24 March 2016}}</ref>

== Characters and recurring props ==
=== Mr. Bean ===
{{Main|Mr. Bean (character)}}
[[File: Atkinson Rowan crop.jpg|thumb|left|220px|[[Rowan Atkinson]] portraying Mr. Bean in August 1997]]
Mr. Bean, the title character and protagonist, is a childish [[Jester#Buffoon|buffoon]] who brings various unusual schemes and contrivances to everyday tasks. He lives alone at the address of Flat 2, 12 Arbour Road, [[Highbury]], and is almost always seen in his trademark [[Tweed (cloth)|tweed]] jacket and a skinny red tie. He also usually wears a digital [[calculator watch]]. Mr. Bean rarely speaks, and when he does, it is generally only a few mumbled words which are in a comically low-pitched voice. His first name (he names himself "Bean" to others) and profession, if any, are never mentioned. In the [[Bean (film)|first film adaptation]], "Mr." appears on his passport in the "first name" field and he is shown employed as a guard at London's [[National Gallery, London|National Gallery]].<ref>Mel Smith, ''Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie'', PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, 1997</ref>

Mr. Bean often seems unaware of basic aspects of the way the world works, and the programme usually features his attempts at what would normally be considered simple activities, such as going swimming, using a television set, [[interior decorating]] or going to church. The humour largely comes from his original (and often absurd) solutions to problems and his total disregard for others when solving them, and his pettiness and occasional malevolence.

In the title sequence of [[The Return of Mr. Bean|episode two]], Mr. Bean falls from the sky in a beam of light accompanied by a choir singing ''Ecce homo qui est faba'' ("Behold the man who is a bean") which was sung by the [[Southwark Cathedral]] choir in 1990. The opening sequence was initially in [[black and white]] in episodes two and [[The Curse of Mr. Bean|three]], which was intended by the producers to show his status as an "ordinary man cast into the spotlight". However, later episodes showed Mr. Bean dropping from the night sky in a deserted London street against the backdrop of [[St. Paul's Cathedral]]. At the end of episodes three and [[Mr. Bean Rides Again|six]], he is also shown being sucked right back up into the sky in the respective background scenes (the black scene in episode 3 and street scene in episode 6). Regarding the opening credits, Atkinson has acknowledged that Bean "has a slightly [[Extraterrestrial life|alien]] aspect to him".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030217224736/http://www.rowanatkinson.org/articles/00062.htm "The Fine Art of Being Mr. Bean"], archive interview in ''The [[Buffalo News]]''. Retrieved 15 June 2006.</ref> In the  ''[[Mr. Bean: The Animated Series]]'' episode "Double Trouble", the alien aspect of him was used in a storyline in which he is taken inside a spacecraft with aliens who look exactly like him and even have their own plushy toys. In an obvious homage towards the end, the aliens send him back home in a beam of light and music similar to the opening of the original ''Mr. Bean'' series. Whether Bean is an extraterrestrial is not made clear.

=== Irma Gobb ===
Mr. Bean's long-suffering girlfriend, Irma Gobb (played by [[Matilda Ziegler]]), appears in three episodes. In "[[The Curse of Mr. Bean]]" and "[[Mr. Bean Goes to Town]]", the character is simply credited as "the girlfriend". She is treated relatively inconsiderately by Bean, who appears to regard her more as a friend and companion rather than as a love interest. However, he does become jealous when she dances with another man at a disco in "Mr. Bean Goes to Town", and she certainly expects him to propose to her on Christmas Day in "[[Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean]]"; his failure to do so results in her leaving him for good. Despite this, she later reappears in ''[[Mr. Bean: The Animated Series]]''. It is revealed in the book ''Mr. Bean's Diary'' that her name is Irma Gobb and she works as a librarian at the local library.<ref>{{cite book| first1= Rowan| last1= Atkinson| first2= Robin| last2= Driscoll| title= Mr. Bean's Diary| place= London| publisher= Boxtree Ltd| year= 1993| isbn= | page= }}</ref>

In the Comic Relief sketch "Torvill & Bean", Bean is accompanied by a female companion portrayed by [[Sophie Thompson]] whose overall appearance resembles Gobb's.

=== Teddy ===
Teddy is Mr. Bean's [[teddy bear]] and, apparently, best friend. This little brown bear is a knitted oddity with button eyes and sausage-shaped limbs which invariably end up broken in half or in various other states of destruction and disfiguration. Although Teddy is inanimate, Mr. Bean often pretends it is alive: he always buys it a [[Christmas]] present or tries not to wake it up in the morning. For example, when Mr. Bean hypnotizes Teddy, he snaps his fingers and the bear's head falls backwards as if it had fallen asleep instantly. (Bean used his finger to prop Teddy's head up.) Teddy is often privy to Mr. Bean's various schemes and doubles as a tool or other items in emergencies; it has been decapitated ("[[Mr. Bean in Room 426]]"), used as his paint brush ("[[Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean]]") and shrunk in the wash ("[[Tee Off, Mr. Bean]]"). Teddy is also Mr. Bean's "pet" in "[[Hair by Mr. Bean of London]]" where he is used to win a pet show.

Over the years, Teddy has undergone several changes. When it debuted on "[[The Trouble with Mr. Bean]]", it had a smaller head. Two episodes later, its head reached its current size but its "eyes" were not present until Bean placed gold [[thumb tack]]s on its face. The "eyes" have since been replaced with two small white buttons sewn over Teddy's face, giving it a distinctive image.

After filming ended, Teddy was donated by Atkinson to [[Gyles Brandreth]]'s [[teddy bear museum]] in [[Stratford-upon-Avon]]. In 2008 upon the museum's closing, Teddy was sold at auction for £180.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7606177.stm |title=Mr Bean's toy in teddy bear sale |website=BBC News |date=9 September 2008 |access-date=12 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612224229/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/7606177.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== The Mini ===
[[File: Rowan Atkinson on a Mini at Goodwood Circuit in 2009.jpg|thumb|Rowan Atkinson re-enacting a famous scene from the episode "[[Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean]]" on a [[Mini]] at [[Goodwood Circuit]] Revival 2009]] 
[[File: Mr Beans Mini.jpg|thumb|right|Mr. Bean's [[Mini]]]]
Mr. Bean's vehicle, a [[Citron (color)|citron-green]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-02-15/mr-bean-25-facts-and-figures-for-his-25th-anniversary/|title=Mr Bean: 25 facts and figures for his 25th anniversary|work=Radio Times|date=15 February 2015|access-date=6 February 2018|archive-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207005603/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-02-15/mr-bean-25-facts-and-figures-for-his-25th-anniversary/|url-status=live}}</ref> 1977 [[British Leyland]] [[Mini]] 1000 Mark 4<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_35822-Mini-1000-ADO20-1977.html|title=Mini 1000 in "Mr. Bean"|access-date=2 April 2018|archive-date=2 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402163315/http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_35822-Mini-1000-ADO20-1977.html|url-status=live}}</ref> with a matte black [[Hood (vehicle)|bonnet]], was central to several antics such as Bean getting dressed in it, driving while sitting in an armchair strapped to the roof or attempting to avoid a car park fee by driving out through the entrance. In the [[Mr. Bean (Mr. Bean episode)|pilot episode]], Bean's vehicle was an orange 1969 [[British Motor Corporation|BMC]] Morris Mini 1000 Mark 2 ([[Vehicle registration plate|registration]] RNT 996H) but was destroyed in an off-screen crash at the end. Throughout the sitcom, Bean keeps it locked with a bolt-latch and [[padlock]] rather than the lock fitted to the car, which formed a [[running gag]] in several episodes; in two episodes, he demonstrated an additional and innovative security measure in that he removes the steering wheel instead of the key which in one episode deterred a car thief. In "[[Back to School Mr. Bean]]", Bean's Mini is crushed by a [[Chieftain tank|tank]] as part of a demonstration after he replaced an identical Mini (registration ACW 497V) meant for the demonstration with his own to secure a parking space. After losing it, he removes his padlock and bolt-latch from the remains. Although the Mini has been crushed, it nonetheless reappears in subsequent episodes with the same colours and registration number (SLW 287R) as the car that has been crushed.

There were three Minis painted green and black used in the series, as well as two others painted with the same colour scheme but with no engine that got crushed by the tank. One of the main cars was also crushed by the tank. During filming many parts were swapped from car to car throughout production, including bonnets, wheel trims, grilles, steering wheels, rear lights, occasionally the driver's door, and the seat covers.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/topic/336384-mr-beans-mini/|title=Mr. Bean's Mini – Mini Chat|access-date=28 July 2018|archive-date=28 July 2018| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20180728162354/http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/topic/336384-mr-beans-mini/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After filming ended, one of the original Minis was sold to Kariker Kars to be hired for various events whereupon it was temporarily displayed as a major attraction at the Rover Group's museum. In 1997, it was purchased by the [[Cars of the Stars Motor Museum]] and displayed for a number of years, later being sold on to a museum in the United States. The main Mini is privately owned and nearing the end of restoration in the south of England.

To promote ''Mr. Bean: The Animated Series'', a replica of the Mini with the registration number DRW 221T was used. This Mini is display on the website of  the [[National Motor Museum, Beaulieu]] as part of its online collection.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/car_collection/mr-beans-mini/ |title= Mr. Bean's Mini| publisher= National Motor Museum, Beaulieu| website= nationalmotormuseum.org |archive-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613184850/https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/car_collection/mr-beans-mini/ |url-status=live |access-date= 20 June 2025}}</ref> The London Motor Museum also has a replica on display.

The Mini was going to appear in the [[Bean (film)|first film adaptation of the series]] under the registration C607 EUW.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_1057004-Mini-1000-ADO20-1985.html|title=Mini 1000 in "Bean"|access-date=17 June 2018|archive-date=17 June 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180617115808/http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_1057004-Mini-1000-ADO20-1985.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the film, Mr. Bean drives his Mini through [[Harrods]] in order to avoid a traffic jam. Although the sequence was filmed, it was not included in the final cut.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118689/alternateversions |title= ''Bean'' — Alternative versions| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20181014072753/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118689/alternateversions |archivedate=14 October 2018 |website= [[Internet Movie Database]]| access-date= 1 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media| url= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FxdkjuUQ5Y| archiveurl= https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/-FxdkjuUQ5Y |title= Bean the Movie-Deleted Scene: Traffic Jam| via= YouTube| archivedate= 14 October 2018| date= | access-date= }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FxdkjuUQ5Y| url-status= dead| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120823142026/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FxdkjuUQ5Y | archivedate= 23 August 2012 |title= Bean the Movie-Deleted Scene: Traffic Jam| via= YouTube| date=12 December 2006 | access-date= 21 September 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In June 2018, the Mini from the first film was sold for US$70,000.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.icollector.com/Rowan-Atkinson-Mr-Bean-British-Leyland-Mini-1000-from-Bean_i30075049| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180611235904/http://www.icollector.com/Rowan-Atkinson-Mr-Bean-British-Leyland-Mini-1000-from-Bean_i30075049| archive-date = 11 June 2018| title = Rowan Atkinson 'Mr. Bean' British Leyland Mini 1000 from Bean| website= icollector.com| date= | access-date= }}</ref> The Mini had its debut on the big screen in the film ''[[Mr. Bean's Holiday]]'' under the registration YGL 572T. Unlike the previous Minis (which were Austin Citron green), it is 'Nissan Amarillo Yellow'.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_97382-Mini-1000-ADO20-1979.html |title= Mini 1000 in 'Mr. Bean's Holiday' |website= imcdb.org| publisher= | date= |archive-date=17 June 2018| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180617115844/http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_97382-Mini-1000-ADO20-1979.html |url-status=live |access-date=17 June 2018}}</ref> The film also features a second version of the Mini with the same colour scheme but with left-hand drive, driven by Bean's friend Sabine, and registered 207 UHD 75.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_97379-Mini-1000-ADO20-1978.html|title=Mini 1000 in 'Mr. Bean's Holiday' |website= imcdb.org| publisher= | date= |archive-date=17 June 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180617115857/http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_97379-Mini-1000-ADO20-1978.html|url-status=live |access-date=17 June 2018}}</ref>

The Mini reappeared in ''Mr. Bean: The Animated Series'' under the registration STE 952R. In 2015, Mr. Bean returned in a sketch for Comic Relief in which he drives his Mini to attend a funeral. This Mini bore the same registration as the one in the animated spin-off.<ref>"Funeral" sketch on official Mr. Bean YouTube channel. {{cite web| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180514222556/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCsJKaoxr6I&app=desktop| archive-date = 14 May 2018| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCsJKaoxr6I| title = Funeral {{!}} Funny Episode {{!}} Mr Bean Official| via = [[YouTube]]| date=9 May 2018 | access-date = 13 June 2018}}</ref>

=== The Reliant ===
Since the pilot episode, Mr. Bean has had a long-running feud with the unseen driver of a three-wheeled, light-blue 1972 [[Reliant Regal|Reliant Regal Supervan III]] (registration GRA 26K), which would usually get turned over, crashed out of its parking space and so forth by Bean in his Mini, who is usually oblivious to the results. These mishaps also became a running gag throughout the series. In "[[Tee Off, Mr. Bean]]", Bean is hitchhiking and the Reliant pulls over for him but Bean, who recognizes the car, pretends to not see it until it leaves.

The Reliant reappears in ''Mr. Bean: The Animated Series'' under the registration "DUW 742", again victimized by Mr. Bean in his Mini. In the episode "Young Bean", the identity of the Reliant driver is revealed for the first time. In the episode "Car Wars", after being abused by Mr. Bean for many years, the driver becomes angry and fed up, and decides to get his revenge by chasing Mr. Bean and trying to outmanoeuvre him in various situations, ultimately resulting in Mr. Bean's Mini being crushed by a [[car crusher]].

=== Other characters ===
Although Mr. Bean is the only significant character in the programme, others appear usually as foils for his various antics. Other than his girlfriend Irma Gobb (Matilda Ziegler), there are more characters in each episode. However several notable British actors and comedians appear alongside Atkinson in the series as various one-off supporting characters, including [[Owen Brenman]], [[Richard Briers]], [[Roger Sloman]], [[Angus Deayton]], [[Stephen Frost]], [[Nick Hancock]], [[Christopher Ryan]], [[Paul Bown]], [[Caroline Quentin]], [[Danny La Rue]], [[Roger Brierley]], [[Roger Lloyd-Pack]], [[Rupert Vansittart]], [[David Battley]], [[David Schneider (actor)|David Schneider]], [[Richard Wilson (Scottish actor)|Richard Wilson]] and [[Rudolph Walker]]. Vansittart and Walker later appeared alongside Atkinson in ''[[The Thin Blue Line (British TV series)|The Thin Blue Line]]''.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096657/fullcredits Credits] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014072751/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096657/fullcredits |date=14 October 2018 }} at the [[Internet Movie Database]]. Retrieved 17 April 2008.</ref>

== Episodes ==
{{Main|List of Mr. Bean episodes{{!}}List of ''Mr. Bean'' episodes}}
All 15 episodes of ''Mr. Bean'' were produced by [[Tiger Aspect Productions]]. Additionally, the character has been used in one-off sketches, guest appearances and television commercials.

The fourteenth episode, "[[Hair by Mr. Bean of London]]", was originally released as a direct-to-video VHS exclusive in 1995, and was not broadcast on television until 25 August 2006 on [[Nickelodeon (UK and Ireland)|Nickelodeon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/mr_bean/episodes/1/17/|title=Mr. Bean – Episode Guides – Series 1 – Episode 14|publisher=British Comedy Guide|access-date=28 February 2013|archive-date=15 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315095613/http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/mr_bean/episodes/1/17|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Broadcast ==
''Mr. Bean'' originally aired in the [[United Kingdom]] on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] from 1990 to 1995, with reruns later shown on the British variant of [[Comedy Central (British TV channel)|Comedy Central]], [[ITV3]] and [[ITV4]]. Due to its widespread popularity, the series aired in many other countries; in the United States, it aired on [[HBO]] starting on 2 April 1992,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1992/04/09/atkinson-s-mr-bean-comes-to-hbo/ |title=Atkinson's "Mr. Bean' comes to HBO |work=Tampa Bay Times |last=Williams |first=Scott |date=9 April 1992 |access-date=8 June 2023}}</ref> and also ran on [[PBS]] television stations across the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mountainlake.org/mr-bean-is-back-saturday-mini-marathon/ |title=Mr. Bean is back! Saturday Mini Marathon |publisher=Mountain Lake PBS |date=23 February 2023 |access-date=8 June 2023}}</ref>  Reruns of the series were also shown on [[Television networks preceding ABC Family#Fox Family|Fox Family]] during the late 1990s, both as segments in the [[Variety show|variety series]] ''[[Ohh Nooo! Mr. Bill Presents]]'' and as stand-alone episodes.

== Music ==
''Mr. Bean'' features a [[choral]] theme tune in the key of [[C major]] written by [[Howard Goodall]] (adapted from a passage of "[[Locus iste (Bruckner)|Locus iste]]" by [[Anton Bruckner]]) and performed by the Choir of [[Southwark Cathedral]] (episodes 2–11 and 14; opening of episode 15) and [[Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford]] (episodes 12 and 13; closing of episode 15). The words sung during the title sequences are in [[Latin]]:
* "''Ecce homo qui est faba''"{{Snd}}"Behold the man who is a bean" (sung at beginning)
* "''Finis partis primae''"{{Snd}}"End of part one" (sung before the commercial break)
* "''Pars secunda''"{{Snd}}"Part two" (sung after the commercial break and rarely)
* "''Vale homo qui est faba''"{{Snd}}"Farewell, the man who is a bean" (sung at end)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hilarious hidden joke in the 'Mr Bean' choral theme is blowing fans' minds |url=https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/mr-bean-soundtrack-theme-hidden-joke/ |website=Classic FM |access-date=3 June 2024}}</ref>

The theme was later released on Goodall's album ''Choral Works''. Goodall also wrote an accompanying music track for many episodes. The first episode of ''Mr. Bean'' did not feature the choral theme tune, but instead an up-beat instrumental piece also composed by Goodall, which was more an incidental tune than a theme. It was used while Bean drove between locations intimidating the blue Reliant, and as such, was sometimes heard in later episodes whenever Bean's nemesis is seen. The instrumental of the theme tune was used in "Double Trouble", the original [[series finale]] of ''[[Mr. Bean: The Animated Series]]''.

In the episode "[[Tee Off, Mr. Bean]]", Goodall's choral theme tune for another Richard Curtis comedy, ''[[The Vicar of Dibley]]'', is heard playing on a car stereo. In "Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean", while playing with Queen's Royal Guards figurines and the nativity set, he hums "[[The British Grenadiers]]", which was quoted in the theme to ''[[Blackadder Goes Forth]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.howardgoodall.co.uk/tvthemes/tv.htm| website= howardgoodall.co.uk| title= Howard's Film Scores| date= | url-status= dead| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120205022625/http://www.howardgoodall.co.uk/tvthemes/tv.htm |archivedate=5 February 2012 | access-date= 20 June 2025}}</ref>

Mr. Bean appeared in the [[music video]] of a 1991 fundraising single for Comic Relief, fronted by [[Hale and Pace]], entitled "The Stonk".<ref>{{cite AV media| url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVIoCahD7yw |title= Hale & Pace – The Stonk| publisher= Stockton | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20160504001446/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVIoCahD7yw |archivedate=4 May 2016 | via= YouTube| access-date= 20 June 2025}}</ref> Mr. Bean also appeared in the music video for the [[Boyzone]] single "[[Picture of You (Boyzone song)|Picture of You]]",<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.jibjab.com/view/97348 |title= Picture of You| website= jibjab.com| publisher= | url-status= | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081202182931/http://www.jibjab.com/view/97348 |archivedate=2 December 2008 | access-date= 14 March 2008}}</ref> which was the main theme song for the first film adaptation.

Mr. Bean also made a Comic Relief record in 1992, entitled "(I Want To Be) Elected" and which was credited to "Mr. Bean and Smear Campaign featuring [[Bruce Dickinson]]". It was a cover of the [[Alice Cooper (band)|Alice Cooper]] song "[[Elected (song)|Elected]]". It reached number 9 in the UK singles chart.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.discogs.com/release/813210 |title= I Want to be Elected| website= discogs.com| date= 1992| publisher= |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20081017120558/http://www.discogs.com/release/813210 |archivedate=17 October 2008 | access-date= 14 March 2008}}</ref>

== Awards ==
[[File:Rowan Atkinson and Manneken Pis.jpg|thumb|Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean next to Brussels' ''[[Manneken Pis]]'' in 2007]]
The first episode won the [[Rose d'Or|Golden Rose]], as well as two other major prizes at the 1991 Rose d'Or Light Entertainment Festival in [[Montreux]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/m/mrbean_1299002166.shtml BBC Guide to Comedy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814073751/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/m/mrbean_1299002166.shtml |date=14 August 2007 }}, written by Mark Lewisohn. Retrieved 3 August 2006.</ref> In the UK, the episode "[[The Curse of Mr. Bean]]" was nominated for a number of [[British Academy Television Awards|BAFTA]] awards; "Best Light Entertainment Programme" in 1991, "Best Comedy" (Programme or Series) in 1991, and Atkinson was nominated three times for "Best Light Entertainment Performance" in 1991, 1992 and 1994.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096657/awards Awards at IMDb] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014072749/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096657/awards |date=14 October 2018 }}. Retrieved 3 August 2006.</ref>

== In other media ==
=== ''Mr. Bean: The Animated Series'' ===
{{Main|Mr. Bean: The Animated Series{{!}}''Mr. Bean: The Animated Series''}}
Seven years following the end of the original live-action series, Mr. Bean reappeared in an animated television series<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/feb/06/broadcasting2|title=Mr Bean turned into cartoon|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|access-date=10 September 2015|date=6 February 2001|archive-date=16 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216162649/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/feb/06/broadcasting2|url-status=live}}</ref> with Rowan Atkinson reprising his role as the title character as well as providing references for all of Bean's animated actions. Much like the original live-action series, the animated spin-off contains little dialogue; although some words are spoken most is either little soundbites or mumbling. The series introduced a list of new characters alongside regulars in the original series (such as Teddy and Irma Gobb), including an unpleasant landlady of Mr. Bean named Mrs. Wicket and her evil one-eyed cat Scrapper. Other characters' voices are provided by [[Jon Glover]], [[Rupert Degas]], Gary Martin and [[Lorelei King]].<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20030422132605/http://www.rowanatkinson.org/articles/00094.htm Mr Bean Turned Into Cartoon]" by Jason Deans in ''[[The Guardian]]'', 6 February 2001</ref>

From 2002 to 2004, 52 episodes were originally broadcast on [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV1]] each consisting of two 11-minute segments. In 2015, [[CITV]] commissioned a brand new series of episodes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://streamdaily.tv/2015/06/08/hulu-gets-mr-bean-animated-series/|title=Hulu gets Mr. Bean animated series|date=8 June 2015|website=StreamDaily|access-date=3 March 2017|archive-date=4 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304035330/http://streamdaily.tv/2015/06/08/hulu-gets-mr-bean-animated-series/|url-status=live}}</ref> The new series amended the format in which it featured episodes that had much more dialogue than normal. 78 new episodes began broadcasting from 16 February 2015.

=== Feature films ===
{{Main|Bean (film){{!}}''Bean'' (film)|Mr. Bean's Holiday{{!}}''Mr. Bean's Holiday''}}
Two theatrical feature-length films featuring Mr. Bean have been released, with Atkinson reprising his role as the character in each. The first film, ''[[Bean (film)|Bean]]'', was directed by [[Mel Smith]], released in 1997 and followed the misadventures of Mr. Bean as he oversaw the transfer of ''[[Whistler's Mother]]'' to a [[Los Angeles]] art gallery. The film broke from the programme's traditional narrative by using a subplot with more developed characters, whereby Bean was not the sole centre of attention but interacted with a suburban Californian family that he stays with during the film. The film was commercially successful, grossing more than US$250&nbsp;million globally ($45&nbsp;million in the USA) on a budget estimated at $18&nbsp;million,<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bean.htm |title=Bean (1997) |website= [[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=26 December 2010 |archive-date=2 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902043755/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bean.htm |url-status= live}}</ref> despite receiving mixed reviews from critics and holding a 41% approval rating on [[Rotten Tomatoes]].<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bean/|title=Bean (1997)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]] |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171129071637/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bean/ |archive-date=29 November 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=30 June 2018}}</ref>

The second film, ''[[Mr. Bean's Holiday]]'', was directed by [[Steve Bendelack]] and released in 2007. The film follows Bean on an eventful journey across [[France]] for a holiday in the [[French Riviera]] which, after a number of mishaps, culminates in an unscheduled screening of his video diary at the [[2006 Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0453451/ |title= Mr Bean's Holiday| website= IMDb.com| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20180727040357/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0453451/ |archivedate=27 July 2018| access-date= 4 August 2006}}</ref> The setting was despite an earlier rumour in February 2001 stating that an unused script by [[Richard Curtis]] would see him on an [[Australia]]n misadventure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cinema.com/news/item/2868/bean-down-under-for-rowan-atkinson.phtml|title=Bean Down Under For Rowan Atkinson|publisher=cinema.com|date=7 February 2001|access-date=19 December 2015|archive-date=22 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222101715/http://cinema.com/news/item/2868/bean-down-under-for-rowan-atkinson.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Production on the film occurred during 2006 and saw its first release in the United Kingdom on 30 March 2007; it premiered in North America on 17 July that year at the [[Just for Laughs]] festival in Canada, where the character had been launched 20 years earlier,<ref name=" Interview with Rowan Atkinson"/> before being released nationwide over a month later on 24 August. The film is notable for featuring a mixture of traditional film photography and home-shot video camera photography. The film garnered improved critical reception (with a 52% rating on Rotten Tomatoes<ref>[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mr_beans_holiday/ Mr Bean's Holiday – Rotten Tomatoes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129083507/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mr_beans_holiday/ |date=29 November 2017 }}. [[Rotten Tomatoes]]. Retrieved 24 August 2007</ref>) and was also commercially successful, grossing nearly US$230&nbsp;million globally ($33&nbsp;million in the United States) against a $25&nbsp;million budget.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bean2.htm |title=Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007) |publisher=Box Office Mojo |date=24 August 2007 |access-date=26 December 2010 |archive-date=29 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829042330/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bean2.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Mr. Bean's Holiday'' was originally the last live-action appearance of the character,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.paramountcomedy.com/comedy/news/article.aspx?id=297|title=Mr Bean is a Has-Bean| website= paramountcomedy.com |date=29 October 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071029192636/http://www.paramountcomedy.com/comedy/news/article.aspx?id=297|archive-date=29 October 2007|url-status= dead |access-date= 22 March 2016}}</ref> before reappearing at the [[2012 London Olympics]] opening ceremony five years later.

=== 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony ===
In 2012, Atkinson reprised his role as Mr. Bean for a live performance as part of the [[2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony]] in London. In the scene, Mr. Bean works within the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] in its performance of "[[Chariots of Fire (instrumental)|Chariots of Fire]]", conducted by [[Simon Rattle]]. For this scene, Bean does not wear his usual brown tweed [[sport coat|sports jacket]] but the traditional clothing of the musician – [[white tie]] and [[tailcoat|tails]]. As they perform the piece, Bean is mostly bored with playing the same note repeatedly on the [[synthesiser]] and gets jealous of the more interesting part being played on the [[grand piano]]. Still bored, he takes out his mobile phone and takes a picture of himself, looking proud. He then sneezes in a comical fashion and tries to retrieve his handkerchief from his bag behind him, finding he cannot reach it while at the synthesizer until he uses an umbrella to maintain his performance. When he finally blows his nose with his serviette, he throws it into the grand piano.

He then falls asleep continuing to play the note. A [[dream sequence]] referencing the opening scene of the film ''[[Chariots of Fire]]'' (1981) shows the characters running across a beach, though Mr. Bean dreams he is running with them. He begins to fall behind, until he hails a car to overtake all the others. Now running in front, Bean ensures he wins the race on the beach by tripping one of the runners trying to overtake him, whereupon he crosses the line with elation, and then wakes up. Finding that the rest of the orchestra have stopped playing while he continued his one recurring note, Bean, with encouragement from Rattle, plays an extended flourish and lastly touches a note that makes a flatulent sound then stops.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mr. Bean's 'Chariots of Fire' Skit at 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/367792/20120727/mr-bean-rowan-atkinson-olympic-opening-ceremony.htm|work=International Business Times|date=27 July 2012|access-date=29 July 2012|archive-date=31 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731030715/http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/367792/20120727/mr-bean-rowan-atkinson-olympic-opening-ceremony.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Director Danny Boyle later explained Atkinson's character in the performance: "It wasn't actually Mr. Bean. Strictly speaking, the name of his character was Derek"<ref name=raphael>{{Cite book
 | last1 = Raphael
 | first1 = Amy
 | last2 = Boyle
 | first2 = Danny
 | title = Danny Boyle: Creating Wonder
 | publisher = Faber & Faber
 | date = 2013
 | isbn =978-0-571-30187-4 }}</ref>
In the 2021 documentary ''Happy Birthday Mr. Bean'', Atkinson and Curtis also stated that the performance was not actually intended to be that of Mr. Bean,<ref name="Happy Birthday Mr Bean">{{cite web |title=Happy Birthday Mr. Bean |url=https://www.itv.com/hub/happy-birthday-mr-bean/10a0711a0001 |website= itv.com |publisher= [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] |access-date=2 February 2021 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125212246/https://www.itv.com/hub/happy-birthday-mr-bean/10a0711a0001 |url-status=live }}</ref> although the official Olympic YouTube channel and the live commentary promoted it as such.<ref> {{cite web|title= Mr. Bean Live Performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games |url= https://youtube.com/watch?v=CwzjlmBLfrQ  |via= YouTube | date=27 July 2012 |publisher=official Olympic Youtube channel |access-date=2 February 2021}}{{cbignore}} Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/CwzjlmBLfrQ Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20120727223238/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwzjlmBLfrQ&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}:</ref>

=== Books ===
Two books tied-in to the original live-action series were released: ''Mr. Bean's Diary'' in 1992 and ''Mr. Bean's Pocket Diary'' in 1994. The two books have identical content and differ only in the format in which they are printed. The content of both is a template diary with handwritten content scrawled in by Mr. Bean. They provide some additional information on the setting: for example, they establish that Mr. Bean lives in [[Highbury]] and rents his flat from a landlady named Mrs. Wicket.

They confirm the name of Mr. Bean's girlfriend as "Irma Gobb" and also give the name of the other man she actually dances with in "Mr. Bean Goes to Town" (Giles Gummer). An additional book also called ''Mr. Bean's Diary'' was released in 2002 to accompany ''Mr. Bean: The Animated Series''; this book was also graded as a children's reader.

Two further books, ''Mr. Bean's Scrapbook: All About Me in America'' (1997) and ''Mr. Bean's Definitive and Extremely Marvelous Guide to France'' (2007), were released to tie-in with the feature films ''[[Bean (film)|Bean]]'' and ''[[Mr. Bean's Holiday]]'' respectively.

=== Other appearances ===
{{Main|List of Mr. Bean episodes#Other appearances{{!}}List of ''Mr. Bean'' episodes § Other appearances}}
Rowan Atkinson has appeared in character as Mr. Bean in many television broadcasts, sometimes as a publicity stunt to promote a new episode, DVD or film. A number of short sketches for the [[Comic Relief]] telethon have also been produced and Bean also starred in various commercials, music videos and in YouTube videos such as Handy Bean. In 2017 Atkinson appeared in the [[China|Chinese]] film ''Top Funny Comedian: The Movie'' a [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] film of a variety show of the same name; the plot involves a number of Chinese people getting involved in a series of misadventures during a visit to [[Macau]] at the same time as Mr. Bean.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/rowan-atkinson-mr-bean-top-funny-comedian-the-movie-a7639261.html|title=Rowan Atkinson is reprising his role as Mr Bean for a Chinese film|website=[[Independent.co.uk]]|date=20 March 2017| access-date=28 January 2018|archive-date=31 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331030758/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/rowan-atkinson-mr-bean-top-funny-comedian-the-movie-a7639261.html|url-status=live}}</ref> One of the film's stars, comedian [[Guo Degang]], informed media outlet ''The Beijinger'' that due to Atkinson being unable to speak Mandarin, the cast used mainly body language to speak to each other, saying that "with facial expressions and gestures we seemed to understand each other, [it] was really an interesting experience, which proves that comedy can cross boundaries."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2017/03/20/mr-bean-returns-new-film-released-china/ |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2017/03/20/mr-bean-returns-new-film-released-china/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Mr Bean returns in new film – but it's only released in China|first=Adam|last=Boult |newspaper= The Telegraph|date=20 March 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The film was distributed in Chinese territories, but as of 2017, had yet to receive an American or European release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/mr-bean-returns-rowan-atkinson-reprises-his-most-iconic-role-in-rare-appearance/story-5Q68NqZ0gEn5zdhkzBUtUK.html|title=Mr Bean returns! Rowan Atkinson reprises his most iconic role in rare appearance|website= [[Hindustan Times]] |date=23 March 2017 |archive-date=3 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103091821/https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/mr-bean-returns-rowan-atkinson-reprises-his-most-iconic-role-in-rare-appearance/story-5Q68NqZ0gEn5zdhkzBUtUK.html |url-status=live |access-date=3 November 2018}}</ref>

== Home media ==
The series was available on a number of Thames Television [[VHS]] compilations. In the United Kingdom ([[DVD region code#2|Region 2]]), episodes of ''Mr. Bean'' were released on a yearly basis by [[Universal Studios, Inc.|Universal Pictures UK]] from 2004. The complete collection is now available, including the two feature films and other extras. The episodes were released on VHS by [[A&E Home Video]] in the United States in the 2000s. These releases are unique in that they contain the original opening credits for the first three episodes, as seen when originally broadcast on television. In addition, they contain extra scenes which were edited into certain episodes at the request of [[Public Broadcasting System|PBS]], in order to extend the run-time for a commercial-free airing. In Canada and the United States, ''Mr. Bean'' was released on VHS by [[PolyGram|Polygram Home Video]] in the 1990s. In the United States ([[DVD region code#1|Region 1]]), the complete series has been available since 2003 on [[A&E Television Networks|A&E Home Video]] as "The Whole Bean". The documentary ''The Story of Mr. Bean'' is edited on both the UK and USA DVD sets: it was originally 52 minutes when broadcast on television. However, it is 48 minutes on the UK DVD while only 40 on the American DVD. Most notably, in the UK version, the section detailing ''[[The Tall Guy]]'' has humorous clips from the film removed. The American DVD features the same edits as the British DVD but is also missing comments by Burt Reynolds on the set of ''[[Bean (film)|Bean]]'', comments by Jeff Goldblum, some clips from the show ''Mr. Bean'' and many others. The record-selling UK videos were withdrawn shortly before the release of ''Bean'', and the DVDs were released on an annual basis since 2004.

In August 2009, an official [[YouTube]] channel of the series was launched featuring content from both the original live-action and animated series.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/mrbean |title= Mr. Bean Channel| publisher= Kanaal van MrBean | via=YouTube |date=1 January 1990 |access-date=26 December 2010 |archive-date=4 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804200604/http://www.youtube.com/MrBean |url-status=live }}</ref>

The series was re-released by [[Shout Factory]] in North America on 24 March 2015 on [[DVD]] to coincide with its 25th anniversary. This set contains digitally remastered episodes (similar to the 2010 British release), the 40-minute ''The Story of Mr. Bean'', additional scenes: "Turkey Weight", "Armchair Sale", "Marching", and "Playing with Matches", "Bus Stop" and "Library" sketches, a trailer for ''[[Mr. Bean: The Animated Series]]'' and "[[The Best Bits of Mr. Bean]]", a 72-minute clip show.<ref name="amazon.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Bean-Whole-Complete/dp/B00QJN33II/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=|title=Amazon.com: Mr. Bean: The Whole Bean (Complete Series): Rowan Atkinson, John Birkin: Movies & TV |website=Amazon.com |date=24 March 2015 |access-date=5 September 2017|archive-date=14 October 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181014072735/https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Bean-Whole-Complete/dp/B00QJN33II/ref=tmm_dvd_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shoutfactory.com/tv/comedy/mr-bean-the-whole-bean-remastered-25th-anniversary-collection|title= Mr. Bean: The Whole Bean [Remastered 25th Anniversary Collection]| website= shoutfactory.com| publisher= Shout! Factory|archive-date=7 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207010408/https://www.shoutfactory.com/tv/comedy/mr-bean-the-whole-bean-remastered-25th-anniversary-collection|url-status=live | access-date=14 January 2015}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
{{In popular culture|section|date=January 2021}}
[[File:Statue of Mr. Bean at Leicester Square.jpg|thumb|Statue of Mr. Bean in [[Leicester Square]], London]]

Various politicians have been mocked for a supposed facial resemblance to Mr. Bean, including [[Tony Blair]],<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1231-05.htm| first= Bob| last= Roberts| title= D'oh! Blair Hounds Simpsons to Drop Dog| website= commondreams.org | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070713114502/http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1231-05.htm |archivedate= 13 July 2007| access-date= }} in ''The [[Daily Mirror]]'', 31 December 2003</ref> [[Gordon Brown]],<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article2963664.ece |title= Not so much Stalin as Mr. Bean: Gordon Brown is made to play the fool in stage farce| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080725125016/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article2963664.ece |archivedate=25 July 2008| work= [[The Times]]| date= 29 November 2007| first= | last= | access-date= }}</ref> [[Kyriakos Mitsotakis]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Elisavet |date=25 January 2023 |title=Όχι δεν είναι ο Mr Bean! Είναι ο άυπνος, σε αναμμένα κάρβουνα Μητσοτάκης που ξύνει τη μύτη του, τρίβει τα μάτια του και χασμουριέται-Απολαυστικό βίντεο |url=https://thefaq.gr/ochi-den-einai-o-mr-bean-einai-o-aypnos-se-anammena-karvoyna-mitsotakis-poy-xynei-ti-myti-toy-trivei-ta-matia-toy-kai-chasmoyrietai-apolaystiko-vinteo/| trans-title= No, it's not Mr. Bean! It's the sleepless, on hot coals Mitsotakis who scratches his nose, rubs his eyes and yawns – Delightful video |website=thefaq.gr |publisher= |language=el |access-date= 5 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=17 February 2021 |title=Ο ανάλγητος «"Mr. Bean"-Μητσοτάκης» και οι επιδειξίες παρατρεχάμενοί του| website= Zougla.gr| publisher= |url=https://www.zougla.gr/parapolitiki/o-analgitos-mr-bean-mitsotakis-ke-i-epidiksies-paratrexameni-tou/ |trans-title= "The callous 'Mr. Bean'-Mitsotakis" and his show-offs |access-date=5 August 2024 |language=el}}</ref> [[José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero]],<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/05/2785561.htm|title=EU website hijacked by Mr Bean |newspaper= ABC News|date=4 January 2010|access-date=5 January 2010| archive-date=8 January 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100108082651/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/05/2785561.htm|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201221014947/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-yOfSl2xV0| archive-date = 21 December 2020| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-yOfSl2xV0| title = Zapatero aislado en la cumbre de la OTAN | trans-title= Zapatero isolated at the NATO summit| language= es| publisher= aldelcorral | via = [[YouTube]]| date=12 April 2008 | access-date = 24 September 2020}}</ref> [[Sam Dastyari]],<ref>{{cite news| title= Pauline Hanson mocks Sam Dastyari's appearance after racial abuse incident |url= https://www.9news.com.au/national/pauline-hanson-mocks-sam-dastyaris-appearance-after-racial-abuse-incident/22197364-6e15-44da-b54f-85fe097db574| website= 9news.com.au |publisher=[[Nine News Australia]]|date=9 November 2017|access-date=8 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title= Sam Dastyari's perfect segue to has-Bean |url= https://www.smh.com.au/national/sam-dastyaris-perfect-segue-to-hasbean-20160914-grg2zm.html|publisher= | work= [[Sydney Morning Herald]]| date=14 September 2016 |access-date= 8 September 2024}}</ref> [[Ed Miliband]]<ref>{{cite news |title= Exclusive interview: Is Ed Miliband ready?| url= https://www.ft.com/content/101913f6-acc1-11e4-beeb-00144feab7de| work= Financial Times|date=2 October 2016 |access-date= 2 November 2016 |archive-date= 4 November 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161104010119/https://www.ft.com/content/101913f6-acc1-11e4-beeb-00144feab7de |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Michael Gove]].

In the TV series ''[[MythBusters]]'' (Episode 52&nbsp;– "[[MythBusters (2006 season)#Painting With Explosives|Mind Control]]"), the idea of painting a room with explosives placed in a tin of paint, as seen in "[[Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean]]", was tested. The method was deemed impossible to achieve adequate coverage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2006/05/episode_52_mind_control_painti.html |title= Episode 52: Mind Control, Painting with Explosives| website= Annotated Mythbusters | via= kwc.org| quote= Painting a room with dynamite in a can of paint: busted| url-status= dead |archive-date= 23 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523213110/http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2006/05/episode_52_mind_control_painti.html |access-date=2 June 2008}}</ref>

An image of Mr. Bean grinning mischievously has been used as an [[internet meme]] for highlighting sexual [[double entendre]]s, usually accompanied by the statement, "If you know what I mean."<ref>{{cite web|title=If You Know What I Mean Meme|url=http://weknowmemes.com/2012/02/if-you-know-what-i-mean-meme/| publisher= WeKnowMemes LLC| website= weknowmemes.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222172312/http://weknowmemes.com/2012/02/if-you-know-what-i-mean-meme/| archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=usurped |access-date=27 June 2012}}</ref>

A parody of Mr. Bean appears in [[Tetsuo Hara]] and [[Buronson]]'s [[manga]] series ''[[Fist of the Blue Sky]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://1.p.s.mfcdn.net/store/manga/2979/05-045.0/compressed/snk_v05c45p023.jpg |title=Pages of the manga Souten no Ken, with a character very similar to Mr. Bean in appearance | website= mfcdn.net| publisher= |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130904183258/http://1.p.s.mfcdn.net/store/manga/2979/05-045.0/compressed/snk_v05c45p023.jpg |archive-date=4 September 2013 |access-date= 15 February 2012}}</ref>

== See also ==
* {{anl|Brian O'Brian|''Brian O'Brian''}}
* {{slink|List of films based on British television series|Comedy}}
* {{anl|The Party (1968 film)|''The Party''}}
* {{anl|Uncle Max|''Uncle Max''}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{Twitter}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0096657|title=Mr. Bean}}
* [http://www.findthatlocation.com/Television-Show/Mr-Bean Filming locations from ''Mr. Bean'']
* [http://www.mrbeantvseries.co.uk/beancharacters.htm Mr. Bean Guest Characters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806174346/http://www.mrbeantvseries.co.uk/beancharacters.htm |date=6 August 2018 }}

{{Mr. Bean}}
{{Rowan Atkinson}}
{{Richard Curtis}}
{{Ben Elton}}
{{Comic Relief}}
{{InternationalEmmyAward Popular Arts Programming}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mister Bean}}
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