Blackadder II size of the principal cast was reduced compared to the previous series, with a fixed number of characters appearing in every episode. Richard Curtis has been quoted as saying that due to the familiar cast, the series was the happiest for him to work on, comparing it to a "friendly bunch of school chums". The series also featured at least one significant cameo role per episode. Notable appearances include Rik Mayall as the debonair Lord Flashheart in "Bells"; Tom Baker and Simon Jones as Captain Redbeard Rum and Sir Walter Raleigh, respectively, in "Potato"; Miriam Margolyes, who had appeared in
Carew Raleigh Carew Raleigh Sir Carew Raleigh or Ralegh (ca. 1550ca. 1625) was an English naval commander and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1586 and 1622. He was the elder brother of Sir Walter Raleigh, Raleigh was born in Fardel, Devon, the son of Walter Raleigh and Catherine Champernowne. He was gentleman of the horse to John Thynne of Longleat for some time before Thynne's death in 1580. In 1578, Raleigh served on the expedition led by his half-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert. On his marriage he sold his property in Devon, and settled at Downton