Bean gets animated

Rowan Atkinson in the guise of Blackadder

Mr Bean is to return to our screens as animated character in his own cartoon series.

Rowan Atkinson, who created and starred as the hapless character in the original TV series and a movie version, will provide the voice.

In animation we can do all sorts of things that I'm physically restricted from in live action

Rowan Atkinson

The 52-part series will be produced in London and Budapest over the next two years and will be shown on ITV.

Mr Bean has already been a runaway success on film, with the 1997 film, Bean, taking $227m (£155m), worldwide - 10 times what it took to produce, at $22m (£15m).

The comic actor said an animated Bean was the next logical step.

Faithful

"While the new series will remain entirely faithful to the original feel of Mr Bean, in animation we can do all sorts of things that I'm physically restricted from in live action," he said.

"It will be Bean but more so - visiting places we have never been able to reach before."

Animators will film Atkinson so they can re-create his movements for the cartoon character.

It has all the hallmarks of a classic

Sioned William, ITV controller of comedy

More than 400,000 separate drawings are required for each 11-minute episode.

Sioned William, ITV controller of comedy, said: "I am delighted to have commissioned this series of Bean.

"Rowan Atkinson's creation has embraced the new medium with real imagination and style.

"The animation is stunning - beautifully drawn and of the highest quality. Together with timeless stories which should appeal to adults and children alike, it has all the hallmarks of a classic."