Robin Hood Series Two On BBC One - Autumn 2007
Robin Hood arrows in for a second series, starting soon on BBC One. Made by Tiger Aspect Productions, the drama proved a huge hit with viewers last year.
Starring Jonas Armstrong, Lucy Griffiths, Keith Allen and Richard Armitage, the show struck a chord with family audiences and, in one of the most competitive slots on TV, gained average ratings of seven million for the first seven episodes in 2006.
The critics also lined up to praise the series. The Daily Mail called it “rip-roaring, great entertainment for all the family”, the Daily Mirror commented that “the Beeb spoil us with yet another fab adaptation of an old classic”, the Times opined that “new Robin rules the Hood”, while Chris Moyles on BBC Radio 1 said simply that the series was “absolutely brilliant”.
Once again written by co-creator and executive producer Dominic Minghella, the 13-part series features an outstanding, magnetic cast.
The drama centres on the charismatic Robin Hood (Jonas Armstrong), who leads his gang of outlaws in Sherwood Forest. Using outrageous scams, disguises, tricks, ingenuity, breathtaking archery and swordplay, the band of brothers attempt to outwit the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (Keith Allen) and his sadistic lieutenant Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage).
September 24th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Yes I enjoyed the BBC series Robin Hood but I feel they have let a good oportunity slip by.
If I have any criticisms it is that they have played ‘safe’ with the basic well worn story of Robin returning from the Crusades, at the time of Richard the Lionheart to find his estate mismanaged with cruelty. It would have been refreshing to perhaps try a different ‘angle’.
The costumes, hmm! Robin in some scenes looks like he’s wearing a 1960’s Pac-A-Mac. Lucy Griffiths is gorgeous as Marian but I’m not sure about her ‘Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon’ slow motion action shots and why do the girls have to wear such obvious make-up?
The music sounds like it belongs in Star Wars and Sherwood looks thoroughly grim and depressing. Some of the fight scenes look like part of a ‘Play-Station’ game, but I guess that’s what kids enjoy these days. Oh, yes and Robin didn’t agree with the Crusades! Very PC!
O.K. that’s my criticisms over, I did enjoy most of it, honest! The script was bright and witty and I enjoyed Keith Allen’s portrayel as the Sheriff.
I have a blog dedicated to the legend of Robin Hood and a much underrarted Robin Hood live action movie made in 1952 by Disney. It starred Richard Todd and the lovely Joan Rice. Its at http://disneysrobin.blogspot.com/
October 4th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
[...] seeing pictures of himself looking “too thin” during the last series of BBC drama, Robin Hood, hunky Jonas Armstrong went training and increased his muscle [...]