Rowan Atkinson looks worlds away from Mr Bean as he debuts new hair filming Netflix show Man Vs Bee
ROWAN Atkinson could not look any more different from his days as Mr Bean on the set of his new Netflix comedy.
The 66-year-old actor was spotted making his return to comedy, complete with a new hairdo on the Ayelsbury set of Man Vs Bee.
Atkinson could be seen filming for the 10-part comedy series wearing a salt and pepper coloured wig, which was markedly longer than his usually close cropped hair.
The Mr Bean star also rocked a red plaid shirt and looked very relaxed between takes as he yawned widely.
He was also seen hugging a blonde woman on the set of what was made to look like Wandsworth Prison.
Atkinson will be making his return to physical comedy in the Netflix series in which he plays a man ends up in a battle with a bee while housesitting a mansion.
The actor created the series alongside Will Davies, with whom he worked on his popular Johnny English film franchise.
Each episode will run for only 10 minutes, but Netflix will be hoping the show will be a global success off the back of Mr Bean's popularity.
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"Renowned actor and comedian Rowan Atkinson plays a new character in this riotous comedy," said in a statement.
"A man finds himself at war with a bee while housesitting a luxurious mansion. Who will win, and what irreparable damage will be done in the process?"
Man Vs Bee comes amid Netflix's expansion into the UK where it set up a team specifically to develop production her.
"Setting up a team entirely based in the UK was always about being able to better connect to the fantastic program makers we have here — to provide a space for writers, producers, directors and actors that feels local, friendly and familiar but also provides talent the opportunity to make shows that will impact on a global scale," said Netflix vice president, Original Series Anne Mensah.
Atkinson's return to comedy comes after he vowed never to play Mr Bean again.
He says playing the loveable childish buffoon — who made him a global star — is “exhausting”.
But he will still voice him in the animated versions, with a cartoon film in the pipeline.
Rowan, 65, said: “It’s easier for me to perform the character vocally than visually. I don’t much enjoy playing him. The weight of responsibility is not pleasant.
“I find it stressful and exhausting, and I look forward to the end of it.”
Mr Bean first appeared on ITV in 1990, before spawning films and a cartoon series.
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His Facebook page is the tenth-most popular in the world.
However, Rowan says: “I have no desire to have any presence on social media. What happens there is a sideshow in my world.”
