Rowan Atkinson’s nearly silent but wildly expressive character first appeared on British television on New Year’s Day 1990. Since then, Mr. Bean has generated enduring questions: How old is the character? Where does he live? Why did the original live‑action series end? This guide answers those questions with verified facts from official sources, production records, and public statements by the creator.
Last checked: 2026-07-24
Creator: Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis · Network: ITV · Genre: Comedy · Lead actor: Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-24.
Sources reviewed: encyclopedia (Wikipedia), streaming platform (ITVX), database (IMDb), review aggregator (Rotten Tomatoes), video platform (YouTube), and published interviews with Rowan Atkinson.
We did not conduct an on‑set visit or interview Rowan Atkinson ourselves; all claims about the character’s age, location, and the series’ end are drawn from publicly documented statements and production information.
Mr. Bean: key dates across the franchise
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 January 1990 | Pilot episode of the live‑action Mr. Bean airs on ITV, debuting the character on UK television. (Wikipedia) |
| 15 December 1995 | Compilation special “The Best Bits of Mr. Bean” is broadcast, widely treated as the final televised Mr. Bean episode on ITV. (Wikipedia) |
| 2 March 2002 | Mr. Bean: The Animated Series premieres on ITV as an animated continuation of the character. (Wikipedia) |
| 4 January 2024 | Fourth series of the animated show announced to premiere on ITVX with 52 episodes. (Wikipedia) |
- Original episodes: 15
- Original run duration: 5 years (1990–1995)
- Years since premiere: 34 (as of 2024)
Mr. Bean at a glance
- Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis (Wikipedia)
- ITV (original live‑action and animated series) (Wikipedia)
- Comedy (Wikipedia)
- Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean (Wikipedia)
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Creator | Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis |
| Network | ITV |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Lead actor | Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean |
Mr. Bean character specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| First appearance | 1 January 1990, ITV pilot “Mr. Bean” |
| Canonical home address | Flat 2, 12 Arbour Road, Highbury, London, England (Wikipedia) |
| Number of live‑action episodes | 15 (including specials) (Wikipedia) |
| Live‑action series run | 1990–1995 |
| Animated series first run | 2002–2004, 52 episodes (Wikipedia) |
| Feature films | Bean (1997), Mr. Bean’s Holiday (2007) (TheTVDB) |
How old is Mr. Bean now?
Within the televised episodes, Mr. Bean’s age is never explicitly stated. Wikipedia notes that character profiles sometimes list a birth date of 15 September 1956, while others reference 6 January 1955 (Rowan Atkinson’s real birthday). Neither date appears in on‑screen dialogue. Atkinson himself has insisted that Mr. Bean is “an ageless, timeless figure” and that he does not want the character to “grow old” alongside himself (BBC Newsbeat). The character therefore has no canonical age.
The bottom line: Mr. Bean has no official age; the character is deliberately left without a fixed birth year so that he remains timeless.
Where is Mr. Bean right now?
Mr. Bean is a fictional character who does not exist in real time. Within the series’ continuity, his home address is Flat 2, 12 Arbour Road, Highbury, London, England. Radio Times notes that Arbour Road is a real street in Enfield, but the specific address is invented. The character is depicted living alone in a small flat. As for the actor, Rowan Atkinson is alive and resides in the United Kingdom (as of public knowledge).
What this means: “Where is Mr. Bean right now?” has two answers: in‑universe, he lives in Highbury, London; in the real world, the character does not have a current location because he is not a real person.
Why did Mr. Bean end?
The original live‑action series ended in 1995 after 15 episodes. The creators—Rowan Atkinson, Richard Curtis, and Robin Driscoll—chose not to produce further episodes. In a 2011 interview with BBC Newsbeat, Atkinson explained: “I’ve always regarded Mr Bean as an ageless, timeless figure. I don’t want him to particularly grow old, and if I carry on playing him then he’s going to get older, whether we like it or not.” Atkinson added that he would prefer to remember the character “how he was five or 10 years ago.”
“I would like to remember Mr Bean how he was five or 10 years ago.”
— Rowan Atkinson, BBC Newsbeat (2011)
That said, the franchise did not end. Wikipedia records that an animated series premiered in 2002, ran for 52 episodes, and was revived in 2015. A fourth series was announced in January 2024 for the ITVX streaming platform, confirming that the character continues in animation even without a live‑action return.
The pattern: The live‑action series ended because its creator wanted to keep the character ageless, but the brand expanded into animated series and feature films that allow the character to persist without aging.
Note: The live‑action series consists of 15 episodes—not 14, as some sources claim. The discrepancy arises because the compilation special “The Best Bits of Mr. Bean” is sometimes counted separately. Wikipedia lists 15 episodes including specials.
Caution: Some online databases list the series end date as 31 October 1995 (Wikidata) rather than 15 December 1995 (episode guides). This reflects a minor disagreement over whether the final regular episode or the later compilation special marks the “end.” We rely on the episode‑guide convention used by Wikipedia.
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en.wikipedia.org, de.wikipedia.org, wikidata.org, mrbean.fandom.com, epguides.com, kids.kiddle.co, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, de.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, mrbean.fandom.com, mrbean.fandom.com, ozcurrently.com, youtube.com
For a deeper look into the character’s quirks and legacy, check out this Mr. Bean character analysis that explores his age, actor, and the reasons behind the show’s conclusion.
Frequently asked questions about Mr. Bean
Is Mr. Bean still healthy?
No official statements about the character’s health exist because he is fictional. Rowan Atkinson, the actor, is alive as of 2024 and has not publicised any major health issues.
What is Mr. Bean’s disability?
The character is never described as having a disability within the series. Fan speculation sometimes labels him as autistic, but no official source confirms this. The character’s behaviour is comic exaggeration, not a clinical portrayal.
What is Mr. Bean’s real name?
Mr. Bean is referred to only as “Mr. Bean” in the show. His first name is never given. The actor’s name is Rowan Atkinson.
Where can I watch Mr. Bean?
The live‑action series and the animated series are available on ITVX in the UK. International availability varies; check streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video or YouTube (official Mr. Bean channel).
Does Mr. Bean speak?
Mr. Bean speaks very little: he utters a few words (“yes,” “no,” “right”) and makes grunts and mumbles. The character famously communicates mostly through physical comedy and facial expressions.
What is Mr. Bean’s date of birth?
No canonical date of birth exists. Fan sources list 15 September 1956 or 6 January 1955, but neither is confirmed on screen.
Sources and references
- Wikipedia – Mr. Bean (series) – overview, episode count, first air date, creators.
- Wikipedia – List of Mr. Bean episodes – detailed episode chronology and final broadcast date.
- Wikipedia – Mr. Bean (character) – canonical address, birth‑date ambiguity.
- Wikipedia – Mr. Bean: The Animated Series – animated series premiere, run dates, episode counts.
- BBC Newsbeat – Rowan Atkinson on no more Mr Bean – primary quote about ageless character.
- Radio Times – 25 facts for Mr Bean’s 25th anniversary – global reach and fictional address clarification.
- Wikipedia – List of Mr. Bean: The Animated Series episodes – announcement of fourth series (2024).
- TheTVDB – Mr. Bean franchise overview – feature films.