 Much of this series was shot on location, which resulted in a cost  considered exorbitant at the time for a BBC series. As a result it  was not renewed for a second series, however in 1984 the team was  able to convince BBC One (with new controller Michael Grade (qv))  to produce a second series with the understanding that costs would  have to be cut dramatically (for example  _"Blackadder II" (1986)_ (qv) being shot entirely in a studio).