Robin of Sherwood was a
BritishThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television series, based on the legend of
Robin HoodRobin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
. Created by Richard Carpenter, it was produced by
HTVHTV, now legally known as ITV Wales & West, is the ITV contractor for Wales and the West of England, which operated from studios in Cardiff and Bristol. The company provided commercial television for the dual-region 'Wales and West' franchise, which it won from TWW in 1968...
in association with
GoldcrestGoldcrest Films is a British film production company founded by Jake Eberts in January 1977. It enjoyed great success in the 1980s with films such as Local Hero , The Killing Fields and Hope and Glory mostly produced by David Puttnam on modest budgets. The company also benefited from the new...
, and ran from 1984 to 1986 on the
ITVITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
network. In America it was retitled
Robin Hood and shown on the premium cable TV channel Showtime and on
PBSThe Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
. The show starred
Michael PraedMichael Praed born Michael David Prince, 1 April 1960 in Berkeley, Gloucestershire) is a British actor, is probably best known for his role as Robin of Loxley in the British television series Robin of Sherwood, which attained cult status worldwide in the 1980s...
and
Jason ConneryJason Joseph Connery is an English actor.-Early life:Connery grew up in London. He attended Millfield School, a co-educational independent school in Somerset, England, and later at the independent Gordonstoun School in Scotland. He was later accepted into the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School...
as two different incarnations of the title character. Unlike previous adaptations of the Robin Hood legend,
Robin of Sherwood combined a gritty, authentic production design with elements of real-life history and
paganPaganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
myth.
Overview
There were three series, comprising a two-hour opening episode and 24 one hour long episodes, although the pilot is sometimes screened as two one-hour episodes, and the episodes comprising "The Swords of Wayland" were transmitted as one episode in the UK on their original screening on a Bank Holiday weekend in 1985. It was shot on film, and almost entirely on location, mostly in the north east and south west of England; HTV West in Bristol was the base of operations and most of the filming was done in and around Bristol and its surrounding counties.
Together with
Richard LesterRichard Lester is an American film director based in Britain. Lester is notable for his work with The Beatles in the 1960s and his work on the Superman film series in the 1980s.-Early years and television:...
's offbeat 1976 film
Robin and MarianRobin and Marian is a 1976 British/American co-produced romantic adventure period film filmed in Pamplona, Spain starring Sean Connery as Robin Hood, Audrey Hepburn as Lady Marian, Nicol Williamson as Little John, Robert Shaw as the Sheriff of Nottingham and Richard Harris as King Richard. It also...
,
Robin of Sherwood is one of the most influential treatments of the core Robin Hood legend since
The Adventures of Robin HoodThe Adventures of Robin Hood is a 1938 American swashbuckler film directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley. Filmed in Technicolor, the picture stars Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, and Claude Rains.-Plot:...
, featuring a realistic period setting and introducing the character of a
SaracenSaracen was a term used by the ancient Romans to refer to a people who lived in desert areas in and around the Roman province of Arabia, and who were distinguished from Arabs. In Europe during the Middle Ages the term was expanded to include Arabs, and then all who professed the religion of Islam...
outlaw.
Michael PraedMichael Praed born Michael David Prince, 1 April 1960 in Berkeley, Gloucestershire) is a British actor, is probably best known for his role as Robin of Loxley in the British television series Robin of Sherwood, which attained cult status worldwide in the 1980s...
played Robin of Loxley in the first two seasons. His 'Merry Men' consisted of
Will ScarletWill Scarlet was a prominent member of Robin Hood's Merry Men. He was present in the earliest ballads along with Little John and Much the Miller's Son....
(
Ray WinstoneRaymond Andrew "Ray" Winstone is an English film and television actor. He is mostly known for his "tough guy" roles, beginning with that of Carlin in the 1979 film Scum and as Will Scarlet in the cult television adventure series Robin of Sherwood. He has also become well known as a voice over...
),
Little JohnLittle John was a legendary fellow outlaw of Robin Hood, and was said to be Robin's chief lieutenant and second-in-command of the Merry Men.-Folklore:He appears in the earliest recorded Robin Hood ballads and stories...
(
Clive Mantle-Early life and education:Mantle was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire. He was a pupil at Kimbolton School, Cambridgeshire and a chorister in St John's College Choir for four years...
),
Friar TuckFriar Tuck is a companion to Robin Hood in the legends about that character. He is a common character in modern Robin Hood stories, which depict him as a jovial friar and one of Robin's Merry Men. The figure of Tuck was common in the May Games festivals of England and Scotland during the 15th...
(
Phil RosePhil Rose is an English actor born in Manchester, England, UK on 2 May 1952.-Early Days:In 1975 Phil set off upon an acting career and trained at the with the famous Mary Richards and Eileen Knight....
),
MuchMuch the Miller's Son was, in the tales of Robin Hood, one of his Merry Men. He appears in some of the oldest ballads, A Gest of Robyn Hode and Robin Hood and the Monk, as one of the company.Generally he becomes an outlaw when he is caught poaching...
(Peter Llewellyn Williams), the
SaracenSaracen was a term used by the ancient Romans to refer to a people who lived in desert areas in and around the Roman province of Arabia, and who were distinguished from Arabs. In Europe during the Middle Ages the term was expanded to include Arabs, and then all who professed the religion of Islam...
Nasir (played by Mark Ryan) and
Lady MarianMaid Marian is the wife of the legendary English outlaw Robin Hood. Stemming from another, older tradition, she became associated with Robin Hood only in the 16th century.-History:The earliest medieval Robin Hood stories gave him no female companion...
(played by
Judi TrottJudi Trott is an English actress, best known for her portrayal of the Lady Marion of Leaford in the popular 1980s series Robin of Sherwood....
). He is also assisted by
Herne the HunterIn English folklore, Herne the Hunter is a ghost associated with Windsor Forest and Great Park in the English county of Berkshire. His appearance is notable in the fact that he has antlers upon his head....
(
John AbineriJohn Abineri was an English actor.Born in London, he attended the Old Vic drama school and described himself as "Well educated from the age of five to eighteen"...
). As in the legend, Robin is opposed by the
Sheriff of NottinghamThe Sheriff of Nottingham was historically the office responsible for enforcing law and order in Nottingham and bringing criminals to justice. For years the post has been directly appointed by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham and in modern times, with the existence of the police force, the position is...
(
Nickolas GraceNickolas Grace is a British actor known for his roles on television, including Anthony Blanche in the acclaimed ITV adaptation of Brideshead Revisited and the Sheriff of Nottingham in the 1980s series Robin of Sherwood...
) and
Guy of GisbourneSir Guy of Gisbourne is a character from the Robin Hood legends of English folklore. In The Ballad of Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne , he hunts Robin for the Sheriff of Nottingham, but Robin kills him and cuts off his head...
(
Robert AddieRobert Alastair Addie was an English actor who was best known for playing Sir Guy of Gisbourne in the television series Robin of Sherwood.-Career:...
), as well as the Sheriff's brother Abbot Hugo (
Philip JacksonPhilip Jackson is an English actor, known for his many television and film roles, most notably as Chief Inspector Japp in the television series Poirot and as Abbot Hugo, one of the recurring adversaries in the cult 1980s series Robin of Sherwood. Jackson was born in Retford, Nottinghamshire...
) (representing all the greedy abbots in the legends).
At the end of the second season, Robin of Loxley is killed and Robert of Huntingdon (played by
Jason ConneryJason Joseph Connery is an English actor.-Early life:Connery grew up in London. He attended Millfield School, a co-educational independent school in Somerset, England, and later at the independent Gordonstoun School in Scotland. He was later accepted into the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School...
) replaces him as Robin Hood. During the course of the third season, the new Robin discovers that he is the half-brother of his nemesis Guy of Gisbourne (an idea suggested to Carpenter by the fact that both actors had blonde hair). This particular story arc was never resolved due to the show's cancellation at the end of the third season.
The series came to an end when
GoldcrestGoldcrest Films is a British film production company founded by Jake Eberts in January 1977. It enjoyed great success in the 1980s with films such as Local Hero , The Killing Fields and Hope and Glory mostly produced by David Puttnam on modest budgets. The company also benefited from the new...
was forced to pull out of the venture due to a downturn in the fortunes of their film arm. Goldcrest had been responsible for critical and commercial hits such as
Chariots of FireChariots of Fire is a 1981 British film. It tells the fact-based story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice....
(1981) and
GandhiGandhi is a 1982 biographical film based on the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who led the nonviolent resistance movement against British colonial rule in India during the first half of the 20th century. The film was directed by Richard Attenborough and stars Ben Kingsley as Gandhi. They both...
(1982) earlier in the eighties, but had hit a lean spell with such films as
RevolutionRevolution is a 1985 film directed by Hugh Hudson, written by Robert Dillon and starring Al Pacino, Helen Porter, Donald Sutherland, Nastassja Kinski, Joan Plowright, Dave King, Annie Lennox, Danny Turner, Steven Berkoff, Graham Greene, and Robbie Coltrane....
(1985) and
Absolute BeginnersAbsolute Beginners is a 1986 British rock musical film adapted from the Colin MacInnes book of the same name about life in late 1950s London. The film was directed by Julien Temple, featured David Bowie and Sade, and a breakout role by Patsy Kensit...
(1986). As the series was expensive to make,
HTVHTV, now legally known as ITV Wales & West, is the ITV contractor for Wales and the West of England, which operated from studios in Cardiff and Bristol. The company provided commercial television for the dual-region 'Wales and West' franchise, which it won from TWW in 1968...
could not afford to produce it alone and no more episodes were made.
Given the time that has elapsed since cancellation, there seems little likelihood of the series returning, with Richard Carpenter having said he has no interest in writing further episodes.
However a recent interview with Clive Mantle who played Little John in the series states that many of the surviving cast (including Ray Winstone) did indeed approach ITV a couple of years ago about making either a TV movie or mini series (written by Richard Carpenter) to finish the story. A transcript of the interview can be found
here.
The Merry Men
- Robin of Loxley
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
(Michael PraedMichael Praed born Michael David Prince, 1 April 1960 in Berkeley, Gloucestershire) is a British actor, is probably best known for his role as Robin of Loxley in the British television series Robin of Sherwood, which attained cult status worldwide in the 1980s...
)
Born the son of Anglo-Saxon nobleman Ailric of Loxley, who died in a rebellion, he is raised by the local miller. As an adult he accepts Herne's charge and becomes the prophesied "Hooded Man". Hiding in Sherwood Forest, he assembles a number of friends until he is killed at the end of Season 2.
- Much
Much the Miller's Son was, in the tales of Robin Hood, one of his Merry Men. He appears in some of the oldest ballads, A Gest of Robyn Hode and Robin Hood and the Monk, as one of the company.Generally he becomes an outlaw when he is caught poaching...
(Peter Llewellyn Williams)
Son of the miller who raised Robin, he admires Robin as his big brother. He is dubbed "the half-wit" by Guy of Gisbourne.
- Will Scarlet
Will Scarlet was a prominent member of Robin Hood's Merry Men. He was present in the earliest ballads along with Little John and Much the Miller's Son....
(Ray WinstoneRaymond Andrew "Ray" Winstone is an English film and television actor. He is mostly known for his "tough guy" roles, beginning with that of Carlin in the 1979 film Scum and as Will Scarlet in the cult television adventure series Robin of Sherwood. He has also become well known as a voice over...
)
Originally called Will Scathlock, he changed his name after his wife, Elena, is raped and trampled to death with horses by mercenaries. Hot-headed and filled with hatred of all things Norman, he is contrasted with the more recollected Robin, which frequently leads to conflicts.
- Little John
Little John was a legendary fellow outlaw of Robin Hood, and was said to be Robin's chief lieutenant and second-in-command of the Merry Men.-Folklore:He appears in the earliest recorded Robin Hood ballads and stories...
(Clive Mantle-Early life and education:Mantle was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire. He was a pupil at Kimbolton School, Cambridgeshire and a chorister in St John's College Choir for four years...
)
Originally John Little from HathersageHathersage is a village in the Derbyshire Peak District, in England. It lies on the north bank of the River Derwent, approximately 10 miles west of Sheffield...
, this giant of a man was placed under a spell by the Baron de Belleme. When Robin defeated him and freed him from the spell, he became Robin's loyal friend.
- Lady Marion of Leaford
Maid Marian is the wife of the legendary English outlaw Robin Hood. Stemming from another, older tradition, she became associated with Robin Hood only in the 16th century.-History:The earliest medieval Robin Hood stories gave him no female companion...
(Judi TrottJudi Trott is an English actress, best known for her portrayal of the Lady Marion of Leaford in the popular 1980s series Robin of Sherwood....
)
Orphaned daughter of an Anglo-Saxon nobleman, Marion lives as a ward of Abbot Hugo, who is keen on gaining her inheritance. She first enters a monastery but when Simon de Belleme desires her as his bride (actually with the intention of sacrificing her), she escapes into Sherwood Forest, where she falls in love with and marries Robin Hood. She is later rescued by Robert of Huntingdon.
- Friar Tuck
Friar Tuck is a companion to Robin Hood in the legends about that character. He is a common character in modern Robin Hood stories, which depict him as a jovial friar and one of Robin's Merry Men. The figure of Tuck was common in the May Games festivals of England and Scotland during the 15th...
(Phil RosePhil Rose is an English actor born in Manchester, England, UK on 2 May 1952.-Early Days:In 1975 Phil set off upon an acting career and trained at the with the famous Mary Richards and Eileen Knight....
)
The Sheriff of Nottingham's chaplain, he helps Lady Marion escape into Sherwood and joins the Merry Men, forming a fast friendship with Little John.
- Nasir (Mark Ryan)
A SaracenSaracen was a term used by the ancient Romans to refer to a people who lived in desert areas in and around the Roman province of Arabia, and who were distinguished from Arabs. In Europe during the Middle Ages the term was expanded to include Arabs, and then all who professed the religion of Islam...
assassinTo carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
, he was captured in PalestinePalestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
by Baron de Belleme, placed under a spell and brought back to England to work as his henchman. He is freed from the spell when the Baron is killed by Robin and, having found respect for Robin during a crucial sword fight, decides to join the Merry Men. Throughout the series, he speaks very little.
- Robert of Huntingdon (Jason Connery
Jason Joseph Connery is an English actor.-Early life:Connery grew up in London. He attended Millfield School, a co-educational independent school in Somerset, England, and later at the independent Gordonstoun School in Scotland. He was later accepted into the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School...
)
Chosen as Robin's successor by Herne, Robert frees the Merry Men but thinks himself inadequate to take up the mantle of the Hooded Man, despite his sympathies towards the downtrodden. He then defends Lady Marion against the advances of Lord Owen of Clun and then sets out to rescue her, reassembling the scattered Merry Men in the process. Though slightly insecure about taking over in light of his predecessor, Robert proves to be an excellent leader. He later discovers that he is the half-brother of Guy of Gisburne.
- Herne the Hunter
In English folklore, Herne the Hunter is a ghost associated with Windsor Forest and Great Park in the English county of Berkshire. His appearance is notable in the fact that he has antlers upon his head....
(John AbineriJohn Abineri was an English actor.Born in London, he attended the Old Vic drama school and described himself as "Well educated from the age of five to eighteen"...
)
A shamanic figure who often incarnates a forest spirit representing the powers of light and goodness, inspiring and protecting the Hooded Man.
Main antagonists
- Robert de Rainault, Sheriff of Nottingham
The Sheriff of Nottingham was historically the office responsible for enforcing law and order in Nottingham and bringing criminals to justice. For years the post has been directly appointed by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham and in modern times, with the existence of the police force, the position is...
(Nickolas GraceNickolas Grace is a British actor known for his roles on television, including Anthony Blanche in the acclaimed ITV adaptation of Brideshead Revisited and the Sheriff of Nottingham in the 1980s series Robin of Sherwood...
)
The king's chief representative in Nottingham and Sherwood, he is mainly interested in increasing his own power and wealth, competing with his younger brother, the Abbot. He considers his serfs mere chattels and hates women. He frequently relies on the brawn of Guy of Gisbourne, whom he nonetheless disrespects and ridicules for his failures. His ambition results in strained relations with fellow noblemen (who consider him an "awful little man"), and with a succession of kings.
- Hugo de Rainault, Abbot of St. Mary's (Philip Jackson
Philip Jackson is an English actor, known for his many television and film roles, most notably as Chief Inspector Japp in the television series Poirot and as Abbot Hugo, one of the recurring adversaries in the cult 1980s series Robin of Sherwood. Jackson was born in Retford, Nottinghamshire...
)
The sheriff's younger brother and highest-ranking church man in Nottingham, his main interest lies in acquiring land, especially that of his temporary ward, Lady Marion, and her father.
- Guy of Gisbourne
Sir Guy of Gisbourne is a character from the Robin Hood legends of English folklore. In The Ballad of Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne , he hunts Robin for the Sheriff of Nottingham, but Robin kills him and cuts off his head...
(Robert AddieRobert Alastair Addie was an English actor who was best known for playing Sir Guy of Gisbourne in the television series Robin of Sherwood.-Career:...
)
Steward over the abbot's lands and "gamekeeper" of Sherwood, he is the chief military commander in the area. Self-identifying "a warrior and not a courtier", he is prone to disregard diplomacy and tact in favour of brute force but he is also able to use cunning. He resents the Sheriff for frequently taunting him and Robin for being the cause of these taunts. After a rocky start he gained the respect of Prince John. Later it is revealed that he is the Earl of Huntingdon's illegitimate son and thus the second Robin's half-brother.
- Baron Simon de Belleme (Anthony Valentine)
A nobleman and also a worshipper of the devil. As master of the black arts, he controlled both Little John and Nasir, having captured the latter during the crusades. He desires Lady Marion to sacrifice her to his demons. He is killed by Robin but his remaining disciples still work towards his resurrection.
- Prince John, later King of England (Phil Davis)
- Gulnar (Richard O'Brien
Richard Timothy Smith , better known under his stage name Richard O'Brien, is an English writer, actor, television presenter and theatre performer. He is perhaps best known for writing the cult musical The Rocky Horror Show and for his role in presenting the popular TV show The Crystal Maze...
)
A pagan sorcerer in the entourage of Lord Owen of Clun, he bewitches Lady Marion. After Owen is killed, he sets out to avenge him on Robin and the Merry Men.
Other notable characters
- Richard the Lionheart, King of England
Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Count of Nantes, and Overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period...
(John Rhys-DaviesJohn Rhys-Davies is a Welsh actor and voice actor. He is perhaps best known for playing the charismatic Arab excavator Sallah in the Indiana Jones films and the dwarf Gimli in The Lord of the Rings trilogy...
)
First encountered by Robin's band in Sherwood while returning to Nottingham from the Crusades in disguise. He initially appears to be an ally, pardoning the outlaws, but when it becomes politically expedient to reinstate the Sheriff, he orders Robin killed (unsuccessfully). He subsequently returns to Normandy; the news of his death reaches Nottingham while Prince John is visiting, and Gisbourne is the first to declare John the new king.
- The Old Prisoner (Stuart Linden)
The mainstay of the Nottingham dungeon, he repeatedly refuses to flee as he would not part with Arthur, his pet rat, and advises all prisoners that the only way out is "feet first".
- Edward of Wickham (Jeremy Bulloch
Jeremy Bulloch is an English actor. He is best known for the role inside the costume of the bounty hunter Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy, though he did not voice the character...
)
The headman of the village of Wickham, he and all of the villagers are sympathetic to Robin Hood's band and assist them occasionally.
- Richard of Leaford (George Baker
George Baker, MBE was an English actor and writer. He was best-known for portraying Tiberius in I, Claudius, and Inspector Wexford in The Ruth Rendell Mysteries.-Personal life:...
)
The father of Lady Marion, important Anglo-Saxon landowner and loyal follower of King Richard, he was captured during the crusades and presumed dead. Later released by Saladin, he is captured and secretly brought to Nottingham by Prince John but freed by Robin. Later, he is reconciled to King John (by paying a large sum of money) and returns to his estates, which are still coveted by the Rainault brothers.
- Earl of Huntingdon (Michael Craig
Michael Craig is a British actor, known for his work in film and television in both the United Kingdom and Australia. Craig was born in Poona, Maharashtra, British India, the son of Donald Gregson, a captain in the 3rd Indian Cavalry. He came to England with his family when aged three, and went to...
)
An important nobleman and a careful politician, he is father to the second Robin Hood and (unknown to him) also to Guy of Gisbourne. When Robert becomes the new Robin Hood, his father disinherits him but later reconciles emotionally with Robert.
- Lord Owen of Clun (Oliver Cotton
Oliver Cotton is an English actor, known for his work on stage, TV and film.After training at the Drama Centre London, he has worked extensively at the Royal National Theatre playing in many productions including The Royal Hunt of the Sun, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Much Ado About...
)
A half-Welsh nobleman holding strategically important lands on the Welsh border, he is courted by the Earl of Huntingdon on behalf of King John. Desiring Lady Marion as his wife, he has her kidnapped and bewitched, but he is outsmarted by the Merry Men and killed during their escape.
- Meg of Wickham (Claire Toeman)
Little John's girlfriend who lives in the outlaw-friendly village of Wickham
- Alan-a-Dale
Alan-a-Dale is a figure in the Robin Hood legend...
(Peter Hutchinson)
The former minstrel (and not a very good one!) to the Baron de Bracy, he is in love with the Baron's daughter Mildred.
- Mildred de Bracy (Stephanie Tague)
The object of an arranged marriage to the Sheriff of Nottingham (who hates women, but is marrying her for her money), but in love with Alan-a-Dale.
- Bertrand de Nivelles (Oliver Tobias
Oliver Tobias is a UK-based film, stage, and television actor and directorBorn Oliver Tobias Freitag in Zürich, Switzerland, he is the son of Austrian-Swiss actor Robert Freitag and German actress Maria Becker. He came to the United Kingdom at the age of eight and trained at East 15 Acting School,...
)
The leader of a band of mercenaries called in by Guy of Gisburne to destroy Robin Hood and his men.
- Isadora (Cathryn Harrison
Cathryn Mary Lee Harrison is an English actress. Cathryn was baptised on 27 September 1959 at St. John's Church, Hampstead, London, England....
)
The daughter of Lord Agravaine and privy to the secret of Caerleon.
- Lord Agrivaine (Cyril Cusack
Cyril James Cusack was an Irish actor, who appeared in more than 90 films.-Early life:Cusack was born in Durban, Natal, South Africa, the son of Alice Violet , an actress, and James Walter Cusack, a sergeant in the Natal mounted police. His parents separated when he was young and his mother took...
)
Robert of Huntington's godfather and guardian of a secret treasure in the castle of Caerleon.
- Philip Mark (Lewis Collins
Lewis Collins is an English actor best known for his tough-guy role as Bodie in The Professionals. He was educated at Bidston Primary and Grange School in Birkenhead. He started out as a ladies' hairdresser before playing drums and guitar in pop groups. He had a number of other jobs before...
)
The brutal former Head Forester of Lincolnshire who is appointed by King John to take Robert de Rainault's place as Sheriff of Nottingham
- Sarak (Valentine Pelka
Valentine Pelka is an English actor who has starred in film and on television.-Biography:Pelka was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire to an actress mother and a civil engineer father. His mother is Irish, and his father is Polish. His sister is Kazia Pelka an actress who starred in Brookside, amongst...
)
A Saracen with a scarred face hidden by a mask, he is the right-hand man of Philip Mark and bears a grudge against Nasir, who scarred him.
- Roger de Carnac (Matt Frewer
Matthew "Matt" Frewer is a Canadian American stage, TV and film actor. Acting since 1983, he is known for portraying the 1980s icon Max Headroom and the retired villain Moloch in the film adaptation of Watchmen.-Life and career:...
)
On King John's orders, he and his men impersonate the second Robin and the Merry Men in a plan to discredit them with the people.
- Queen Hadwisa (Patricia Hodge
Patricia Ann Hodge is an English actor.-Early life:The daughter of the Royal Hotel owner/manager Eric and his wife Marion , Hodge attended Wintringham Girls' Grammar School on Weelsby Avenue in Grimsby and then St...
)
King John's first wife who is unceremoniously cast aside when King John chooses the 11-year-old Isabella as his new wife and who hatdches a complex plot to depose John.
- Adam Bell
Adam Bell was a legendary English outlaw.He and his companions William of Cloudsley and Clym of the Clough lived in Inglewood Forest near Carlisle and were figures similar to Robin Hood...
(Bryan Marshall)
A famous outlaw who returns to Nottingham from the North after many years.
- Edgar of Huntingdon (Ian Ogilvy
Ian Raymond Ogilvy is an English film and television actor.-Early life:He was born in Woking, Surrey, England, the son of advertising executive Francis Ogilvy and actress Aileen Raymond .He was educated at Sunningdale School, Eton College and at the Royal Academy of...
)
The second Robin's uncle, who has a hidden agenda against his brother the Earl.
- Mad Mab (Annabelle Lee)
A poor madwoman accused of witchcraft.
- Grendel (James Coombes
James Coombes is a British actor with a number of television and theatre credits to his name.He was educated at Glasllwch primary school and then Duffryn High School in Newport, S Wales....
)
Gulnar's right-hand man.
- Ralph (Trevor Clarke
Trevor Clarke MLA is a unionist politician in Northern Ireland. He was elected in 2007, and re-elected in 2011 to the Northern Ireland Assembly as a Democratic Unionist Party member for South Antrim....
)
Episodes
| # |
Title |
Director |
Writer |
Original Air Date |
| Guest cast |
Series 1 |
| 1.1 |
Robin Hood and the Sorcerer (Part 1) |
Ian Sharp Ian Sharp is a British film and television director.Sharp was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn and Hatfield College, Durham University where he gained an honours degree in Psychology and Modern Philosophy...
|
Richard Carpenter |
28 April 1984 |
| Anthony Valentine as Baron Simon de Belleme, Mark Audley as Dickon, Paul Duggan as Tom |
| 1.2 |
Robin Hood and the Sorcerer (Part 2) |
Ian Sharp Ian Sharp is a British film and television director.Sharp was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn and Hatfield College, Durham University where he gained an honours degree in Psychology and Modern Philosophy...
|
Richard Carpenter |
28 April 1984 |
| Anthony Valentine as Baron Simon de Belleme, Mark Audley as Dickon, Paul Duggan as Tom |
| 1.3 |
The Witch of Elsdon |
Ian Sharp Ian Sharp is a British film and television director.Sharp was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn and Hatfield College, Durham University where he gained an honours degree in Psychology and Modern Philosophy...
|
Richard Carpenter |
5 May 1984 |
| Angharad Rees Angharad Mary Rees is a Welsh actress, best-known for her British television roles during the 1970s, garnering notice for her leading role as Demelza in the 1970s BBC drama series Poldark.-Career:...
as Jennet of Elsdon, Cornelius Garrett as Thomas of Elsdon |
| 1.4 |
Seven Poor Knights From Acre |
Ian Sharp Ian Sharp is a British film and television director.Sharp was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn and Hatfield College, Durham University where he gained an honours degree in Psychology and Modern Philosophy...
|
Richard Carpenter |
12 May 1984 |
| Yves Beneyton -Selected filmography:- External links :...
as Reynald de Villaret, Duncan PrestonDuncan Preston is an English actor probably best known for his appearances in television productions written by Victoria Wood. His best remembered roles are Clifford in the Victoria Wood As Seen On TV soap opera parody Acorn Antiques , and Stan in dinnerladies.In July 2010, Preston revealed he was...
as Heinrich von Erlichshausen, Simon RouseSimon Rouse is an English actor, best known for playing the role of Superintendent Jack Meadows in the long-running ITV police drama The Bill....
as Siward |
| 1.5 |
Alan A Dale |
Ian Sharp Ian Sharp is a British film and television director.Sharp was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn and Hatfield College, Durham University where he gained an honours degree in Psychology and Modern Philosophy...
|
Richard Carpenter |
19 May 1984 |
| Peter Hutchinson as Alan a Dale, Stephanie Tague as Mildred |
| 1.6 |
The King's Fool |
Ian Sharp Ian Sharp is a British film and television director.Sharp was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn and Hatfield College, Durham University where he gained an honours degree in Psychology and Modern Philosophy...
|
Richard Carpenter |
26 May 1984 |
John Rhys-DaviesJohn Rhys-Davies is a Welsh actor and voice actor. He is perhaps best known for playing the charismatic Arab excavator Sallah in the Indiana Jones films and the dwarf Gimli in The Lord of the Rings trilogy...
as King Richard the Lionheart, Gary WaldhornGary Waldhorn is a veteran English actor, known for his role as David Horton in the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley, but who has also had a notable television and theatre career.-Theatre:...
as Hubert Walter |
Series 2 |
| 2.1 |
The Prophecy |
Robert Young Robert William Young is a British television and film director.Young was born in Cheltenham, and in the 1980s and early 1990s, established himself as a leading director of British TV drama. In the 1970s, he directed Vampire Circus and Hammer House of Horror...
|
Richard Carpenter |
9 March 1985 |
| John Nettles John Vivian Drummond Nettles, OBE is an English actor, historian and writer who is best known for playing the lead roles in Bergerac and Midsomer Murders.-Early life:...
as Peter de Leon, Phil Davis as Prince JohnJohn , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
, George BakerGeorge Baker, MBE was an English actor and writer. He was best-known for portraying Tiberius in I, Claudius, and Inspector Wexford in The Ruth Rendell Mysteries.-Personal life:...
as Richard of Leaford, Simon DuttonSimon Dutton is a British actor, best known for playing the title role of Simon Templar in a series of Australian-produced television films in 1989. In 2007, he joined the cast of British sitcom Not Going Out as recurring character Guy, but was written out at the end of season 2.Dutton was...
as Mark |
| 2.2 |
The Children of Israel |
Alex Kirby |
Richard Carpenter |
16 March 1985 |
| David de Keyser David de Keyser is a British actor. He is the father of Alexei de Keyser, Pia de Keyser and Thomas de Keyser.In the mid-sixties de Keyser worked twice with the writer, actor and director Jane Arden. Their first collaboration, The Logic Game, was the first BBC drama to be shot on film; it was...
as Joshua de Talmont, Katharine LevyKatharine Levy is a British actress. During her childhood, she appeared in a number of 1970s TV shows, most notably in 1976 as Jane Masters in Gerry Anderson's The Day After Tomorrow and Sandra in Children of the Stones in 1977 and as a young Livilla in I Claudius. Her career as an adult reached...
as Sarah de Talmont, Amy RosenthalAmy Rosenthal is a British playwright from Muswell Hill, London. She is the daughter of Jack Rosenthal and Maureen Lipman.- Plays :Rosenthal studied playwriting at the University of Birmingham...
as Esther de Talmont, Adam Rosenthal as Samuel de Talmont |
| 2.3 |
Lord of the Trees |
James Allen |
Richard Carpenter |
23 March 1985 |
| Oliver Tobias Oliver Tobias is a UK-based film, stage, and television actor and directorBorn Oliver Tobias Freitag in Zürich, Switzerland, he is the son of Austrian-Swiss actor Robert Freitag and German actress Maria Becker. He came to the United Kingdom at the age of eight and trained at East 15 Acting School,...
as Bertrand de Nivelle |
| 2.4 |
The Enchantment |
James Allen |
Richard Carpenter |
30 March 1985 |
| Gemma Craven Gemma Craven is an award-winning Irish actress.She is possibly best known for her role in the Irish TV drama The Clinic as Dr...
as Lilith |
| 2.5 |
The Swords of Wayland (Part 1) |
Robert Young Robert William Young is a British television and film director.Young was born in Cheltenham, and in the 1980s and early 1990s, established himself as a leading director of British TV drama. In the 1970s, he directed Vampire Circus and Hammer House of Horror...
|
Richard Carpenter |
6 April 1985 |
| Rula Lenska Rula Lenska is an English actress. Best known for her work in the United Kingdom, she is remembered in the United States for a television advert that presented her as a celebrity, even though she was not widely known in the US at the time the advert was produced.She has appeared extensively on...
as Morgwyn of Ravenscar, Dallas AdamsDallas Adams was an English actor noted for his television performances.His credits include: Strange Report, Thriller , Space: 1999, Bergerac, Doctor Who , Robin of Sherwood and Agatha Christie's Poirot...
as Peter Verdelet, Norman BowlerNorman Clifford Bowler is a British actor.Born in London, son of a watch repairer in Mill Lane, NW6, he became a member of the 1950s Soho set alongside the likes of John Minton, Francis Bacon and Daniel Farson. There he met Henrietta Moraes, who divorced her first husband, Michael Law, and...
as Adam the Miller, Anthony Steel as Earl Godwin, Nick BrimbleNick Brimble , is an English actor known for his performance as Little John in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and his appearances on various television shows....
as Earl Godwin's captain, Marcus GilbertMarcus Gilbert is a British actor, known for his roles in Jilly Cooper's Riders and Army of Darkness ....
as Lucifer, Glen MurphyGlen Murphy MBE is an English actor.He is perhaps best known as George Green between 1988 and 2002 on the television drama London's Burning....
as Sir William Marshall |
| 2.6 |
The Swords of Wayland (Part 2) |
Robert Young Robert William Young is a British television and film director.Young was born in Cheltenham, and in the 1980s and early 1990s, established himself as a leading director of British TV drama. In the 1970s, he directed Vampire Circus and Hammer House of Horror...
|
Richard Carpenter |
6 April 1985 |
| Rula Lenska Rula Lenska is an English actress. Best known for her work in the United Kingdom, she is remembered in the United States for a television advert that presented her as a celebrity, even though she was not widely known in the US at the time the advert was produced.She has appeared extensively on...
as Morgwyn of Ravenscar, Dallas AdamsDallas Adams was an English actor noted for his television performances.His credits include: Strange Report, Thriller , Space: 1999, Bergerac, Doctor Who , Robin of Sherwood and Agatha Christie's Poirot...
as Peter Verdelet, Norman BowlerNorman Clifford Bowler is a British actor.Born in London, son of a watch repairer in Mill Lane, NW6, he became a member of the 1950s Soho set alongside the likes of John Minton, Francis Bacon and Daniel Farson. There he met Henrietta Moraes, who divorced her first husband, Michael Law, and...
as Adam the Miller, Anthony Steel as Earl Godwin |
| 2.7 |
The Greatest Enemy |
Robert Young Robert William Young is a British television and film director.Young was born in Cheltenham, and in the 1980s and early 1990s, established himself as a leading director of British TV drama. In the 1970s, he directed Vampire Circus and Hammer House of Horror...
|
Richard Carpenter |
13 April 1985 |
| Robert Daws Robert Daws is an English actor. He is most notable for a variety of roles he has played in television dramas.-Career:Daws played Tuppy Glossop in the early 1990s version of Jeeves and Wooster...
as Hubert de Giscard, Jeremy BullochJeremy Bulloch is an English actor. He is best known for the role inside the costume of the bounty hunter Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy, though he did not voice the character...
as Edward of Wickham, Robbie Bulloch as Matthew, Steve DentSteve Dent was originally an animal handler based in the United Kingdom. He has redirected his career to being a stunt coordinator.His film credits range from 1986's Shanghai Surprise to 2005's Kingdom of Heaven, and his work has also included playing some minor acting roles.-Filmography:* Children...
and Mark Lewis as Arabs |
Series 3 |
| 3.1 |
Herne's Son (Part 1) |
Robert Young Robert William Young is a British television and film director.Young was born in Cheltenham, and in the 1980s and early 1990s, established himself as a leading director of British TV drama. In the 1970s, he directed Vampire Circus and Hammer House of Horror...
|
Richard Carpenter |
5 April 1986 |
| George Baker George Baker, MBE was an English actor and writer. He was best-known for portraying Tiberius in I, Claudius, and Inspector Wexford in The Ruth Rendell Mysteries.-Personal life:...
as Richard of Leaford, Michael CraigMichael Craig is a British actor, known for his work in film and television in both the United Kingdom and Australia. Craig was born in Poona, Maharashtra, British India, the son of Donald Gregson, a captain in the 3rd Indian Cavalry. He came to England with his family when aged three, and went to...
as Earl of Huntingdon, Oliver CottonOliver Cotton is an English actor, known for his work on stage, TV and film.After training at the Drama Centre London, he has worked extensively at the Royal National Theatre playing in many productions including The Royal Hunt of the Sun, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Much Ado About...
as Lord Owen of Clun, Richard O'BrienRichard Timothy Smith , better known under his stage name Richard O'Brien, is an English writer, actor, television presenter and theatre performer. He is perhaps best known for writing the cult musical The Rocky Horror Show and for his role in presenting the popular TV show The Crystal Maze...
as Gulnar, Daniel PeacockDaniel Peacock is an English actor, writer and director best known for his work with the team of The Comic Strip Presents.... He is also known as Danny Peacock.-Acting:...
as Sergeant Sparrow, James CoombesJames Coombes is a British actor with a number of television and theatre credits to his name.He was educated at Glasllwch primary school and then Duffryn High School in Newport, S Wales....
as Grendel, Wayne MichaelsWayne Michaels is a British stuntman and stunt arranger. He performed the bungee jump in the opening scenes in the James Bond film GoldenEye...
as Man Guarding Signal Fire |
| 3.2 |
Herne's Son (Part 2) |
Robert Young Robert William Young is a British television and film director.Young was born in Cheltenham, and in the 1980s and early 1990s, established himself as a leading director of British TV drama. In the 1970s, he directed Vampire Circus and Hammer House of Horror...
|
Richard Carpenter |
12 April 1986 |
| George Baker George Baker, MBE was an English actor and writer. He was best-known for portraying Tiberius in I, Claudius, and Inspector Wexford in The Ruth Rendell Mysteries.-Personal life:...
as Richard of Leaford, Michael CraigMichael Craig is a British actor, known for his work in film and television in both the United Kingdom and Australia. Craig was born in Poona, Maharashtra, British India, the son of Donald Gregson, a captain in the 3rd Indian Cavalry. He came to England with his family when aged three, and went to...
as Earl of Huntingdon, Oliver CottonOliver Cotton is an English actor, known for his work on stage, TV and film.After training at the Drama Centre London, he has worked extensively at the Royal National Theatre playing in many productions including The Royal Hunt of the Sun, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Much Ado About...
as Lord Owen of Clun, Richard O'BrienRichard Timothy Smith , better known under his stage name Richard O'Brien, is an English writer, actor, television presenter and theatre performer. He is perhaps best known for writing the cult musical The Rocky Horror Show and for his role in presenting the popular TV show The Crystal Maze...
as Gulnar, Daniel PeacockDaniel Peacock is an English actor, writer and director best known for his work with the team of The Comic Strip Presents.... He is also known as Danny Peacock.-Acting:...
as Sergeant Sparrow, Wayne MichaelsWayne Michaels is a British stuntman and stunt arranger. He performed the bungee jump in the opening scenes in the James Bond film GoldenEye...
as Man Guarding Signal Fire |
| 3.3 |
The Power of Albion |
Gerry Mill |
Richard Carpenter |
19 April 1986 |
| George Baker George Baker, MBE was an English actor and writer. He was best-known for portraying Tiberius in I, Claudius, and Inspector Wexford in The Ruth Rendell Mysteries.-Personal life:...
as Richard of Leaford, Max Faulkner as Oliver |
| 3.4 |
The Inheritance |
Ben Bolt |
Anthony Horowitz Anthony Craig Horowitz is an English novelist and screenwriter. He has written many children's novels, including The Power of Five, Alex Rider and The Diamond Brothers series and has written over fifty books. He has also written extensively for television, adapting many of Agatha Christie's...
|
26 April 1986 |
| Cathryn Harrison Cathryn Mary Lee Harrison is an English actress. Cathryn was baptised on 27 September 1959 at St. John's Church, Hampstead, London, England....
as Isadora, Cyril CusackCyril James Cusack was an Irish actor, who appeared in more than 90 films.-Early life:Cusack was born in Durban, Natal, South Africa, the son of Alice Violet , an actress, and James Walter Cusack, a sergeant in the Natal mounted police. His parents separated when he was young and his mother took...
as Agrivaine, Jeremy SindenJeremy Sinden was an English actor who specialised in playing eccentric military men and overgrown schoolboys.-Early life:...
as Mortimer, Derrick O'ConnorDerrick O'Connor is an Irish character actor, mostly known for his roles in Terry Gilliam films. He was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company....
as Raven, James Woodard as King Arthur, Hywel BennettHywel Thomas Bennett is a Welsh film and television actor. Bennett is best known for his recurring title role as James Shelley in the television sitcom Shelley from 1979 to 1984 and its sequel The Return of Shelley from 1988 to 1992....
as voice of King Arthur |
| 3.5 |
The Cross of St. Ciricus |
Dennis Abbey |
Richard Carpenter |
3 May 1986 |
| Dorothy Tutin Dame Dorothy Tutin DBE was an English actor of stage, film, and television.An obituary in The Daily Telegraph described her as "one of the most enchanting, accomplished and intelligent leading ladies on the post-war British stage...
as Lady Margaret, Brendan Price-Selected filmography:* The Amorous Milkman * The Sleep of Death * Savage Grace -Television appearances:* Man at the Top* The Sweeney* Doctor Who * Space: 1999...
as Abbot Martin |
| 3.6 |
The Sheriff of Nottingham |
Christopher King |
Anthony Horowitz Anthony Craig Horowitz is an English novelist and screenwriter. He has written many children's novels, including The Power of Five, Alex Rider and The Diamond Brothers series and has written over fifty books. He has also written extensively for television, adapting many of Agatha Christie's...
|
10 May 1986 |
| Lewis Collins Lewis Collins is an English actor best known for his tough-guy role as Bodie in The Professionals. He was educated at Bidston Primary and Grange School in Birkenhead. He started out as a ladies' hairdresser before playing drums and guitar in pop groups. He had a number of other jobs before...
as Philip MarkPhilip Marc was a High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the Royal Forests in 1208. Marc has been proposed as a candidate for the role of Sheriff of Nottingham in the legend ofRobin Hood.-Biography:...
, Valentine PelkaValentine Pelka is an English actor who has starred in film and on television.-Biography:Pelka was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire to an actress mother and a civil engineer father. His mother is Irish, and his father is Polish. His sister is Kazia Pelka an actress who starred in Brookside, amongst...
as Sarak, Robert DawsRobert Daws is an English actor. He is most notable for a variety of roles he has played in television dramas.-Career:Daws played Tuppy Glossop in the early 1990s version of Jeeves and Wooster...
as Hubert de Giscard, Maureen Bennett as Alison |
| 3.7 |
Cromm Cruac |
Gerry Mill |
Anthony Horowitz Anthony Craig Horowitz is an English novelist and screenwriter. He has written many children's novels, including The Power of Five, Alex Rider and The Diamond Brothers series and has written over fifty books. He has also written extensively for television, adapting many of Agatha Christie's...
|
17 May 1986 |
| John Horsley John L. Horsley is an English actor. He was born in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England.He made his acting debut at the Theatre Royal in Bournemouth. His early career saw him playing a succession of doctors and policemen, the former on film in Hell Drivers , the latter on television in Big...
as Abbot, Richard O'BrienRichard Timothy Smith , better known under his stage name Richard O'Brien, is an English writer, actor, television presenter and theatre performer. He is perhaps best known for writing the cult musical The Rocky Horror Show and for his role in presenting the popular TV show The Crystal Maze...
as Gulnar, Claire Parker as Elena, Ian RedfordIan Redford is a British actor who has featured on stage, in film and on television in various roles, including that of pensioner Keith Appleyard in Coronation Street during 2005 and 2006...
as Tom the Miller, Graham Weston as William the Blacksmith, Caroline Holdaway as Mary the Miller's wife |
| 3.8 |
The Betrayal |
James Allen |
Andrew McCulloch Andrew McCulloch , often credited as Andy McCulloch, is a British television writer and actor.He was born in Glasgow, Scotland....
& John Flanagan |
24 May 1986 |
Matt FrewerMatthew "Matt" Frewer is a Canadian American stage, TV and film actor. Acting since 1983, he is known for portraying the 1980s icon Max Headroom and the retired villain Moloch in the film adaptation of Watchmen.-Life and career:...
as Roger de Carnac, Ian RedfordIan Redford is a British actor who has featured on stage, in film and on television in various roles, including that of pensioner Keith Appleyard in Coronation Street during 2005 and 2006...
as Tom the Villager |
| 3.9 |
Adam Bell |
Gerry Mill |
Anthony Horowitz Anthony Craig Horowitz is an English novelist and screenwriter. He has written many children's novels, including The Power of Five, Alex Rider and The Diamond Brothers series and has written over fifty books. He has also written extensively for television, adapting many of Agatha Christie's...
|
31 May 1986 |
| Bryan Marshall Bryan Marshall is an English actor, with a number of major credits in film and television to his name.Marshall was born in Clapham, London...
as Adam BellAdam Bell was a legendary English outlaw.He and his companions William of Cloudsley and Clym of the Clough lived in Inglewood Forest near Carlisle and were figures similar to Robin Hood...
, Patrick Travis as Matthew, Amanda HillwoodAmanda Hillwood is an actress best known for her roles as Lyn Tuttle in A Very Peculiar Practice and Doctor Grayling Russell in Inspector MorseShe is married to actor Matt Frewer, best known for playing the title role in Max Headroom....
as Lady Isabel, Charlie CondouCharlie Lomax David Condou is an English actor and Guardian columnist who is best known for his role as Marcus Dent in the British soap opera, Coronation Street....
as Martin, Leo Dolan as Moth, Alan RobertsAlan Price-Roberts or Alan Roberts is a British radio presenter, producer and actor.- Broadcasting career :Originally from Marlow, Buckinghamshire, Roberts made his radio debut at 19 with a short stint on Radio England as Rob Allen and a couple of programmes on sister station Britain Radio under...
and Chris ChiversCanon Chris Chivers was appointed Vicar of John Keble Church, Mill Hill, in the Diocese of London, in 2010.Born on 16 July 1967, he was educated at Bristol Cathedral School where he was a chorister in the cathedral choir and pupil assistant organist, studying the organ with Clifford Harker.He...
as Outlaws |
| 3.10 |
The Pretender |
Robert Young Robert William Young is a British television and film director.Young was born in Cheltenham, and in the 1980s and early 1990s, established himself as a leading director of British TV drama. In the 1970s, he directed Vampire Circus and Hammer House of Horror...
|
Anthony Horowitz Anthony Craig Horowitz is an English novelist and screenwriter. He has written many children's novels, including The Power of Five, Alex Rider and The Diamond Brothers series and has written over fifty books. He has also written extensively for television, adapting many of Agatha Christie's...
|
7 June 1986 |
| Reece Dinsdale Reece Dinsdale is an English actor of stage, screen and television.-Acting career:He trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama from 1977 until 1980...
as Arthur, Patricia HodgePatricia Ann Hodge is an English actor.-Early life:The daughter of the Royal Hotel owner/manager Eric and his wife Marion , Hodge attended Wintringham Girls' Grammar School on Weelsby Avenue in Grimsby and then St...
as Queen Hadwisa, William RussellWilliam Russell is an English actor, mainly known for his television work. He was born in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.-Doctor Who:...
as The Duke of Gloucester, Cory Pulman as Queen Isabella |
| 3.11 |
Rutterkin |
Gerry Mill |
Richard Carpenter |
14 June 1986 |
Michael CraigMichael Craig is a British actor, known for his work in film and television in both the United Kingdom and Australia. Craig was born in Poona, Maharashtra, British India, the son of Donald Gregson, a captain in the 3rd Indian Cavalry. He came to England with his family when aged three, and went to...
as Earl of Huntingdon, Ian OgilvyIan Raymond Ogilvy is an English film and television actor.-Early life:He was born in Woking, Surrey, England, the son of advertising executive Francis Ogilvy and actress Aileen Raymond .He was educated at Sunningdale School, Eton College and at the Royal Academy of...
as Lord Edgar, Annabel Lee as Mad Mab |
| 3.12 |
The Time of the Wolf (Part 1) |
Sid Roberson Sidney Dean "Sid" Roberson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He bats and throws left-handed....
|
Richard Carpenter |
21 June 1986 |
Richard O'BrienRichard Timothy Smith , better known under his stage name Richard O'Brien, is an English writer, actor, television presenter and theatre performer. He is perhaps best known for writing the cult musical The Rocky Horror Show and for his role in presenting the popular TV show The Crystal Maze...
as Gulnar, John Harding as William Brewer, James CoombesJames Coombes is a British actor with a number of television and theatre credits to his name.He was educated at Glasllwch primary school and then Duffryn High School in Newport, S Wales....
as Grendel, Maureen Bennett as Alison, Iain Armstrong as Villager |
| 3.13 |
The Time of the Wolf (Part 2) |
Sid Roberson Sidney Dean "Sid" Roberson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He bats and throws left-handed....
|
Richard Carpenter |
28 June 1986 |
Richard O'BrienRichard Timothy Smith , better known under his stage name Richard O'Brien, is an English writer, actor, television presenter and theatre performer. He is perhaps best known for writing the cult musical The Rocky Horror Show and for his role in presenting the popular TV show The Crystal Maze...
as Gulnar, John Harding as William Brewer, Maureen Bennett as Alison, Iain Armstrong as Villager |
In repeats, episodes have frequently been broadcast out of order, and alternative orders have been suggested.
Villages
- Loxley - burned village, childhood home of the first Robin.
- Wickham - village where Meg, lover of Little John lived. An important setting in the series.
- Cromm Cruac - village-phantom, created by Gulnar. (Named after the Irish deity Cromm Cruac and seen only in the episode of the same name)
- Elsdon - mentioned in the episode Witch of Elsdon
- Uffcombe - village attacked by Hounds of Lucifer
Castles and cities
- Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
- Castle of Belleme
- Castle of Lord Owen (Clun Castle
Clun Castle is a ruined castle in the small town of Clun, Shropshire. Clun Castle was established by the Norman lord Robert de Say after the invasion and went on to become an important Marcher lord castle in the 12th century, with an extensive castle-guard system...
)
- Castle of Gwydion
Gwydion fab Dôn is a magician, hero and trickster of Welsh mythology, appearing most prominently in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi, which focuses largely on his relationship with his young nephew, Lleu Llaw Gyffes...
- Castle of Huntingdon
Huntingdon is a market town in Cambridgeshire, England. The town was chartered by King John in 1205. It is the traditional county town of Huntingdonshire, and is currently the seat of the Huntingdonshire district council. It is known as the birthplace in 1599 of Oliver Cromwell.-History:Huntingdon...
, childhood home of the second Robin.
- Leaford
- Caerleon
Caerleon is a suburban village and community, situated on the River Usk in the northern outskirts of the city of Newport, South Wales. Caerleon is a site of archaeological importance, being the site of a notable Roman legionary fortress, Isca Augusta, and an Iron Age hill fort...
- Newark
Newark-on-Trent is a market town in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands region of England. It stands on the River Trent, the A1 , and the East Coast Main Line railway. The origins of the town are possibly Roman as it lies on an important Roman road, the Fosse Way...
Abbeys
- Warren
- Thornton
Thornton Abbey was founded as a priory in 1139 by William le Gros, the Earl of Yorkshire, and raised to the status of Abbey in 1148. It was a house for Augustinian or black canons. These priests lived a communal life under the Rule of St Augustine but also undertook pastoral duties outside of the...
- Ravenscar
Ravenscar is a coastal village in the Scarborough district of North Yorkshire, England, approximately north of Scarborough. It is within the civil parish of Staintondale....
- Croxden
Croxden Abbey was a Cistercian abbey at Croxden, Staffordshire, England.In 1179, Bertram de Verdun, the lord of the manor of Croxden, endowed a site for a new abbey, and 12 monks arrived from the Savigniac Cistercian mother house of Aunay-sur-Odon in Normandy to build the new abbey over the next 50...
- Kirklees
The Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees is a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. It has a population of 401,000 and includes the settlements of Batley, Birstall, Cleckheaton, Denby Dale, Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, Holmfirth, Huddersfield, Kirkburton, Marsden, Meltham, Mirfield and Slaithwaite...
- Grimstone
- Halstead
Halstead is a town and civil parish located in Braintree District of Essex, England, near Colchester and Sudbury. It has a population of 11,053. The town is situated in the Colne Valley, and originally developed on the hill to the north of the river...
Music
The award-winning music for
Robin of Sherwood was composed and performed by Clannad, the Irish folk group. The show's original soundtrack,
Legend, was released in 1984 and won the BAFTA award for Best Original Television Music.
Three singles and one EP were released from the album: the theme-tune
Robin (The Hooded Man)"Robin " is the first single released by Irish group Clannad from their 1984 album Legend. This song was the theme tune to the ITV drama Robin of Sherwood and heralded Clannad's effectiveness in soundtrack.-Track listing:...
; Now is Here; Scarlet Inside; and the remix of
Robin (The Hooded Man)"Robin ", previously a hit song from Irish group Clannad's "Legend" album, was re-recorded for the soundtrack on the third series of Robin of Sherwood. This new version of the song has yet to appear on any other release.-Track listing:...
as featured in the third series.
While not all of the show's music is found on the
Legend album, some additional pieces can be found on Clannad's albums
MacallaMacalla is a 1985 musical album by Irish folk group Clannad. It is their ninth album and became prominent with a collaboration between Clannad's singer Moya Brennan and U2 vocalist Bono on the enchanting duet In a Lifetime...
(released 1986) and
Clannad: Live in Concert, 1996Live in Concert provides a true retrospective of Clannad's career. It features new versions of material from across the catalogue as far back as their 1973 debut album. Songs originally released in their simplest acoustic form are now performed here with brand new full band arrangements. In A...
(released 2005). In November 2003, Clannad revealed on their official web site that "there were several other pieces of music recorded for the 3rd series of
Robin of Sherwood that were not included on the
Legend album. Unfortunately no-one has been able to locate the master tapes of this music. The search is continuing and hopefully one day these recordings will be able to be released."
Such is the longevity of the series that in 2011 the
Pagan MetalPagan metal is an umbrella term for heavy metal music which fuses extreme metal with "the pre-Christian traditions of a specific culture or region through thematic concept, rustic melodies, unusual instruments or archaic languages", usually referring to folk metal or black metal. The Norwegian band...
band Herne released an album called 'Face of the Hunter' inspired by the series, with the album intro describing the famous falling whole tone motif that occurs in each episode.
Crew
- Directed by: Ian Sharp
Ian Sharp is a British film and television director.Sharp was educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Blackburn and Hatfield College, Durham University where he gained an honours degree in Psychology and Modern Philosophy...
and others (see Episode guide).
- Written by: Richard Carpenter and others (see Episode guide).
- Cinematography: Roger Pearce, Howard Rockliffe, Gary Breckon and Bob Edwards
- Music: Clannad
Clannad are an Irish musical group, from Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal. Their music has been variously described as bordering on folk and folk rock, Irish, Celtic and New Age, often incorporating elements of an even broader spectrum of smooth jazz and Gregorian chant...
- Production design: John Biggs and Ken Sharp
- Costume design: Lynette Cummin
- Editing: David McCormick, Andy Findlay, Robin Inger, and others.
- Casting: Esta Charkham and Beth Charkham
- Special effects: Ken Lailey
- Stunt co-ordination: Terry Walsh
Terry Walsh was a British actor stuntman, stunt arranger and fight arranger who contributed much to British television and film, especially during the 1970s. He stunt-doubled for Michael Caine, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker and David Warner amongst others.Walsh is known for his work on the science...
- Horse Master: Steve Dent
Steve Dent was originally an animal handler based in the United Kingdom. He has redirected his career to being a stunt coordinator.His film credits range from 1986's Shanghai Surprise to 2005's Kingdom of Heaven, and his work has also included playing some minor acting roles.-Filmography:* Children...
Reception
A review at rpg.net, written in 2003, opines:
Richard Marcus, writing on blogcritics.org, writes in 2008:
DVD and Blu-Ray Disc releases
- "Series 1 - Part 1 - Episodes 1 To 3 DVD."
- "Series 1 - Part 2 - Episodes 4 To 6 DVD."
- "Series 2 - Part 1 - Episodes 1 To 4 DVD."
- "Series 2 - Part 2 - Episodes 5 To 7 DVD."
- "Series 3 - Part 1 - Episodes 1 To 6 DVD."
- "Series 3 - Part 2 - Episodes 7 To 13 DVD."
- "The Complete Series 1 DVD" ,
- "The Complete Series 2 DVD"
- "Complete DVD"
- "The Complete Series (NTSC)"
In the US and Canada, the first and second series have been released by Acorn Media in a five DVD set. A second set, containing the complete third season was released on October 9, 2007
In October 2010 Network DVD
announced the forthcoming release of Series 1 and 2 in a single Region B Blu-ray set, entitled
Robin of Sherwood: Michael Praed (the 3-Disc Blu-ray and DVD bonus disc). This was released on November 15, 2010. In the US and Canada, the first and second series were released on June 7, 2011 by Acorn Media as
Robin of Sherwood: Set 1.
Network DVD
will release Blu-ray set, entitled
Robin of Sherwood: Jason Connery, on October 31, 2011.
Bonus features
On
The Complete Collection DVD set, there are "seventeen hours of special features", including: fourteen commentary tracks, a documentary on the folk group Clannad creating the score for the series, outtakes, bonus footage, a behind the scenes documentary, four documentaries that look back on the making of the show with former cast and crew, and other behind the scenes footage too.
External links
- BBC.co.uk, BBC Wiltshire's Robin of Sherwood Retrospective and BBC.co.uk, audio interviews from 2004 with Nickolas Grace, Phil Rose and Richard Carpenter.
- TV.com, Episode guide at TV.com
See also