Banijay Kids & Family, a global leader in children’s entertainment, behind Mr Bean: The Animated Series, and Beano, the world’s longest-running weekly comic, today announce a special four-issue collaboration.

From 16 September, Mr Bean will lend his trademark chaos to the pages of the comic, taking over as Guest Editor for the opening issue, when he promotes Teddy as ‘Teditor’ and even renames Beano Mr Beano – a first in the comic’s history.

Bringing together two comedy powerhouses, the partnership unites the slapstick humour of Mr Bean with the mischievous world of Beano. Throughout the collaboration, which unfolds across four consecutive issues, characters from his world star in a series of exclusive crossover stories, including Mr Bean being unexpectedly drafted in as substitute teacher for the Bash Street Kids and an epic Gnasher and Gnipper Vs Scrapper showdown. Unsurprisingly, chaos ensues.

The partnership, coinciding with the September launch of brand-new Mr Bean: The Animated Series season 4 episodes in the UK on Boomerang and ITVX, will be supported across Mr Bean and Beano digital platforms. Additionally, a series of downloadable educational resources, inspired by the collaboration, will be available.

Rowan Atkinson says: “I grew up reading Beano and always adored its anarchic style and tone – and as I regard Mr Bean as a natural born anarchist and a child at heart, I’m surprised it’s taken us so long to explore a creative tie-up and finally exploit the Bean/Beano name connection. Its time has come!”

Tom Beattie, MD, Tiger Aspect Kids & Family adds: “Having been a Beano Fan Club member as a kid, it’s a dream come true to work on this collaboration – it feels like the perfect partnership between two comedy greats! Mr Bean has fitted perfectly into Beanotown and the Beano team has been a pleasure to work with and welcomed the whole proposal with open arms.”

Mike Stirling, Director of Mischief at Beano, says: “Kids across the UK voted Rowan one of their top three greatest Mischief Makers in Beano’s Dennis the Menace 75th anniversary celebrations earlier this year, so Mr Bean was always going to fit right into Beanotown. He and Beano share the superpowers of creativity, imagination and finding the funny in everyday life. Giving him the Editor’s pencil was probably a terrible idea, but a very funny one – as everyone will see.”

The collaboration launches on 16 September, supported by a marketing and PR campaign from both brands.

As one of the most recognisable British brands of all time, Beano brings weekly laughter, creativity and reading for fun to kids. This ethos and its much-loved characters such as Dennis the Menace, Minnie the Minx and Bananaman power the legendary comic, annual and books, as well as brand experiences and partnerships across live events and licensed products.

Mr Bean, co-created by Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis, remains one of the world’s most beloved comedy brands, entertaining audiences across generations for over 35 years in more than 190 territories. Mr Bean: The Animated Series is produced by Tiger Aspect Kids & Family (part of Banijay Kids & Family). New episodes of the fourth series launched earlier this month in the UK on Boomerang and ITV through deals agreed by Banijay Rights. Banijay Kids & Family represents the worldwide licensing and merchandising rights for the brand.

Banijay Kids & Family, part of media and entertainment group Banijay Entertainment, is a collective of first-class producers and talent behind some of the world’s biggest kids’ brands.