The sixth series of Knightmare had its first showing between 11/09/1992 and 18/12/1992. It was in many ways a refinement of Series 5, comprising introductions and alterations that would remain in place for the rest of KM's run, though S6 also possessed its own unique elements.

As with previous runs of Knightmare, magazine coverage was used to help promote Series 6. Yet the Knightmare feature in the 12/09/1992 issue of Look-in magazine was a little counter-productive: referring to Series 6 as 'the fifth series', misspelling characters' names and somewhat overselling one of the locations.


Series 6 was strongly similar to Series 5 in both structure and detail. Treguard was still the front for the Powers That Be, his aloof Dungeon Master neutrality consigned to the past, and was still assisted in his castle antechamber by the elf Pickle (though S6 was Pickle's final series). Continuing the rivalry established in S5, Lord Fear was ensconced as leader of the Opposition, so much so that he gave the introduction to the series, rather than Treguard, who had done so for previous series.

Eyeshield sequences and spyglass scenes punctuated every quest, and a clue scroll was present in almost every supply chamber to aid the team in progress. Causeways (which now had frightknight timers) remained a particular impediment to quests, ending three of them, just as in Series 5.

Travel between levels was enabled by descender rides and dragon flights, though from Series 6 on, Smirkenorff had a voice, courtesy of Clifford Norgate. (Admittedly, Treguard had said during S5 that Smirkenorff was capable of talking, but only spoke when he chose to.)

Motley, Sylvester Hands, Hordriss, Skarkill, Julius Scaramonger and Elita, familiar from S5 if not earlier, were in Series 6 too, although the last three on that list were not in any later series, due to the departures of the actors who played them (Rayner Bourton and Stephanie Hesp).
Despite all that it had in common with Series 5, Series 6 had prevalent new elements from the start. A new opening sequence, featuring a live-action dungeoneer, took the place of the original cartoon sequence. Accompanying it was a new remix of the Knightmare theme music. The quests themselves incorporated a new Life Force clock, involving a walking skeleton clad in armour that fell off piecemeal.

In addition, quests were filled with new incidental music, which many fans found to be an excellent complement to KM's inherent tension. Various sound effects, such as that of a dungeoneer passing through a portal, were altered too, subtly changing the feel of quests.

New cast members meant new characters: Adrian Neil contributed Ridolfo and Captain Nemanor (Series 6 only), and Iona Kennedy brought Sidriss (who remained until KM ended) and Greystagg (seen again in Series 7).

New characters from existing cast members included Heggatty (Hesp), Ah Wok (Mark Knight), and the computer generated Dreadnort (Norgate, voice only), who shared password-collecting duty with the Blockers. Hauntings changed significantly, with skull ghosts and woodland ghouls replaced by stormgeists and the enduringly popular pookas, some of whom were even named (See: Puck, Falgo). At the ends of quests, teams were now sent out of the antechamber with the tap of a mace on the quest table, rather than by DISMISS or another spell. DISMISS was used again in the Knightmare episode made for YouTube Geek Week 2013.
Whilst a journey through the town of Wolfenden remained central to quests, there were many new locations to be visited in Series 6. Those named included the Hall of Choice (in which a team could select their quest object from any one of the standard four), the Caverns of Gore (featuring the Great Causeway, essential to the completion of Level 3), the Rocks of Bruin, Witch Haven, Holmgarth and the galleon Cloudwalker. Also noteworthy was the return of dwarf tunnels, though these were 'real' as opposed to computer generated, which arguably made them more atmospheric. Ariadne was seen in a new lair. Dungarth and the Corridor of Blades, introduced in Series 4, each made an appearance during S6, and the Dunswater - albeit different in appearance from how it had looked during S4 - was also seen in a number of S6 episodes.

Perhaps that Dunswater variation is a microcosm, for beneath the familiar name, Knightmare itself looked very different in Series 6 from how it did when it had begun in the 1980s. Nevertheless, there was enough continuity to make it as popular as ever; and many a moment, such as those in which the Grimwolds were mentioned, made it clear to Watchers that Tim Child had not forgotten the older days of the Greater Game.

Following the filming of Series 6, the pilot episode of Lords of the Game, a version of Knightmare for the American market, was filmed. Many characters and locations from Series 6 of Knightmare appeared, though some had different names.

In 2014, clips from Series 6 were uploaded to the CITV Old Skool channel on YouTube.
Seven teams quested in S6, and the 5th won, redeeming the Crown.

The following Lexicon entries offer specific information on aspects of Series 6:Actors: Mark Knight, Stephanie Hesp, Rayner Bourton

Contestants: Matt, pixie (a.k.a. Sumayya)

Teams: Team 1 of Series 6, Team 2 of Series 6, Team 3 of Series 6, Team 4 of Series 6, Team 5 of Series 6, Team 6 of Series 6, Team 7 of Series 6

Characters: Lord Fear, Sylvester Hands, Heggatty, Peggatty, Tiny, Samurai, Boatman, Dreadnort, Dreadnaught, Young Grimwold, Grimwolds, Harris, Count Brinkatore, Lady Brinkatore, elf, ogre, dwarf, Motley, Hordriss ("Malefact"), Skarkill, Julius Scaramonger, Elita, Greystagg, Sidriss, Ridolfo, Smirkenorff, Captain Nemanor, Ah Wok, witch

Creatures: Hobgoblin, Ariadne, brownie, pooka, Puck, Falgo, Bethsemane (Sidriss' cat), toad, stormgeist, goblin, frightknight

Spells: ESCAPE, SAMURAI, MOUSE, BEAUTY, BACKFIRE, TRICK, TREAT, SPLASH, WIND, rusting spell

Objects: spyglass, spell scroll, astrolabe, lute, lightning rod, Panpipes, pineapple, Ring of Power, Ring of Phobia, Medusa eye, Genoese box of delights, gauntlet, Hand of Atrab, potion, SHIELD, True Sight, Ugly Potion, rope, pillory, Acme Persuader, salt, fishing rod, lantern, flail, cheese, onion, silver, Moondust, horn, dragon mint, key

Locations: dwarf tunnel, supply chamber, Holmgarth, Caverns of Gore, Mines of Gore, Mines of Malapith, Cloudwalker, Crazed Heifer, web, Amber Forest, London, Hall of Choice, descender, Dungarth, Causeway, Great Ocean, Rocks of Bruin, Wolfenden, Snake Pit, Mount Fear, (Orford Castle), (Castle Acre Priory), (Dragon Hall), (Llansteffan Castle), (Castell Coch), (Carreg Cennen Castle), (Weald and Downland Open Air Museum), (Bodiam Castle), (Caerphilly Castle), (Chiltern Open Air Museum), (Fountains Abbey), (Helmsley Castle), (Haddon Hall), (Haddon Hall), (Brimham Rocks), (Gainsborough Old Hall), (Poole’s Cavern), (Scarborough Castle), (Paviland Cliff), (Llyn Brianne)

Miscellaneous: faceache, Grimwold (password), Latin, Shakespeare, flight, password, Venetian, Doge, amber gambler, Pool of Veracity, wart charming

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[Earlier version: 2007-01-18 17:15:39

Look-in magazine cutting courtesy of Jamie Hall]

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