The world's most famous man-child might be getting one more disastrous outing as Rowan Atkinson has, for the first time in three decades, openly entertained the idea of bringing back his iconic Mr Bean character.
The comedy legend’s this week delighted fans when during a chat on Good Morning Britain he delivered his biggest hint yet.
"Occasionally, I think about it,” the 70-year-old said when asked if he would reprise his most famous role. “Is it worth it? Is there any need? It probably won't happen... But I have to say, it's not an impossibility."
Those carefully measured words - "it's not an impossibility" - represent a seismic shift for Atkinson, who has spent years gently batting away questions about reviving the role that made him a global superstar.
Industry insiders suggest this marks the first genuine possibility of new Mr Bean content since 2007's Mr Bean's Holiday.
The original Mr Bean series ran for just 14 episodes on ITV between 1990 and 1995, yet became one of British television's most successful exports.
The show's blend of silent physical comedy and anarchic humour transcended language barriers, being broadcast in 245 territories worldwide.
The numbers are staggering:
- Over 23 billion YouTube views for clips from both live-action and animated versions
- Two successful feature films grossing nearly $500 million combined
- The animated series running for 130 episodes across five seasons
- That unforgettable London 2012 Olympics cameo viewed by 900 million people
Atkinson attributes this enduring appeal to the character's universal simplicity: "He's a child trapped in a man's body," the comedian observed, "and that's always fun to watch."
Television historian Dr Oliver Double of the University of Kent explains: "Bean operates on such a fundamental human level that he bypasses cultural differences. In our fragmented media landscape, that kind of broad appeal is priceless."
The potential comeback talk comes amid growing speculation about returns for Atkinson's other legendary creations. Last month, Blackadder writer Ben Elton revealed his desire to revive the sitcom, telling The Guardian: "The appetite for quality British comedy has never been stronger."
Co-creator Richard Curtis added fuel to the fire in December when he told Metro: "Rowan and I have a plan for something we might do which would just be a bit of fun sometime in the next few years." The original Blackadder series ran from 1989 to 1999, producing 24 episodes that became comedy gold standard.
Industry sources have previously said that streaming platforms are driving renewed interest in classic British comedy properties.
"The global reach of services like Netflix and Amazon means there's huge demand for proven IP," explained entertainment analyst Sarah Johnson. "When you have characters with this level of international recognition, it makes complete commercial sense."
For Atkinson, the decision to potentially revive Mr Bean is more complex than simple economics. The comedian has always been protective of the character, carefully controlling his appearances since the original series ended.
The two feature films - 1997's Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie and 2007's Mr Bean's Holiday - were filmed meticulously to preserve the character's essence while expanding his world. Even the animated series, which ran from 2002 to 2019, maintained Atkinson's creative oversight.
"Rowan understands better than anyone what makes Bean work," said long-time collaborator Robin Driscoll, who co-wrote many original episodes. "It's that perfect balance of innocence and chaos. Too much exposure risks diluting the magic."
Insiders suggest several possibilities could be considered for a comeback, including: A one-off special celebrating the character's 35th anniversary, a limited series for a streaming platform, a third feature film with an international setting and a stage show combining live performance and digital elements.
Atkinson's recent Netflix project Man vs Bee (2022) demonstrated his physical comedy skills remain razor-sharp, while also showing how modern streaming platforms can showcase his talents. The series' global success proved there's still massive appetite for Atkinson's unique brand of humour.
Social media erupted following Atkinson's comments, with #BringBackBean trending worldwide. Superfan Mark Williams, who runs the popular Mr Bean Fan Club account (450k followers), said: "This is the news we've been waiting for since 1995. Bean is timeless - he'd work perfectly in today's world of short-form content too."
Even celebrities joined the chorus of approval, with Stephen Fry tweeting: "The world needs more Bean. It's that simple." Hugh Laurie added: "Some things just get better with age. Like wine. And Rowan's eyebrows."
While Atkinson remains cautious, the sheer weight of fan enthusiasm and industry interest makes some form of return increasingly likely. As one BBC executive confided: "When Rowan says something's 'not impossible', that's basically a 'yes' in comedy legend speak."
After thirty years of steadfast refusal, even this slight crack in the door has fans daring to hope that Britain's most beloved comic disaster might yet cause more chaos. As Atkinson himself might say: "Eh... bean?"
