Robin Hood is a British television programme, produced by independent production company Tiger Aspect Productions for BBC One, with co-funding from the BBC America cable television channel in the United States.
Plot
The majority of the main characters in Robin Hood are based on the English folk tale of the same name. The show's main character is Robin Hood (Jonas Armstrong), who has returned to England after five years fighting in the Third Crusade as part of the King's Guard. He is shocked to find the Sheriff of Nottingham, Vaisey (Keith Allen), running the town with an iron fist upon his return. Robin is soon made an outlaw, and takes it upon himself to steal from the rich to feed the poor along with his gang, which consists of his best friend Much (Sam Troughton); two young men he saved from hanging, Will Scarlett (Harry Lloyd) and Allan A Dale (Joe Armstrong); the ex-leader of another gang, Little John (Gordon Kennedy); and another young man named Roy (short for "Royston White") (William Beck), who is killed in episode 4, and replaced in episode 5 by Djaq (Anjali Jay), a Saracen girl hiding under the alias of her dead brother. Robin is pleased to find that Lady Marian (Lucy Griffiths) is still unmarried. Their relationship becomes romantic on several occasions; however, she is trapped by the hold that the Sheriff's second in command, Sir Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage), has over her. Guy often puts Marian in difficult situations where she has to be with him to help the people she loves. The primary villain is the Sheriff, who plots to kill King Richard (played by Steven Waddington in the final episode of series 2) with the help of Gisborne and the Black Knights. He constantly tries to capture or kill Robin and the rest of the outlaws, for continuously interfering in his scheme to take over England. In the second series, Guy of Gisborne kills Marian, and Djaq and Will decide to stay in the Holy Land where they encounter Karim (played by Mark Smith).
The third series staggered the entry of a group of new characters across the series and only Robin appeared in all thirteen episodes. As the series opens, Tuck (David Harewood), a spiritual preacher returning to England, and Kate (Joanne Froggatt), a Locksley villager, are introduced; both soon becoming part of Robin's gang. Isabella (Lara Pulver), Gisborne's younger sister who is running from an abusive husband arrives soon after and starts a secret relationship with Robin. Her link to the castle through Gisborne is used by the gang while she plots revenge against her brother, but her thirst for independence, power and vengeance soon leads her to become a ruthless Sheriff and a sworn enemy of the gang. (Toby Stephens) appears as Prince John in three episodes mid-series, successfully exploiting the rift between Gisborne and Sheriff Vaisey, leading to the latter's supposed death at Gisborne's hand. Gisborne is briefly made Sheriff by the Prince before Isabella uses her influence to replace him, leaving Gisborne without power or influence, and following the death of a young villager with whom he was briefly imprisoned, seeking revenge. This opens the door to a liaison with Robin and sets up the tenth episode of the series, told largely through flashbacks, which revisits Robin and Gisborne's history. It features Dean Lennox Kelly, Sophie Winkleman, Paul Hilton and Ian Reddington as Robin's father, Gisborne's parents and another past Locksley villager respectively, and reveals the existence of Archer (played by Clive Standen from episode 11), the illegitimate child of Robin's father and Gisborne's mother, who Robin's dying father begs them to find. Archer is Robin's equal with a bow and arrow, and this coupled with his biological ties to Robin, Gisborne and Isabella led to speculation that he was set to take over the programme's lead role following Jonas Armstrong's departure.
Having found Archer, Gisborne and Robin return to Nottingham with a tentative alliance formed, setting up the two-part series finale. Allan is killed in episode 12, but appears briefly as a corpse (uncredited) in the series final episode. In the final confrontation that ends the series, Gisborne is killed in a sword fight defending the castle, and Robin is poisoned by the blade of Isabella, ultimately leading to his death. As he dies, Marian makes a brief appearance as a spirit with whom he reunites. Vaisey and Isabella are caught in the explosion of Nottingham Castle, caused by Robin's last act of firing a flaming arrow into the Byzantine fire stored in the castle.
Characters
Jonas Armstrong : Role: Robin Hood
Role In Robin Hood
In Robin Hood, he plays the title role of the legendary hero who moves from being an Earl to being an outlaw to safeguard the people from the unjust and corrupt governance of the evil Sheriff.
Lucy Griffiths : Role: Lady Marian Fitzwalter
Role In Robin Hood
In Robin Hood, she plays the character of Lady Marian. She is a fearless, smart and quick witted young girl who secretly helps Robin Hood. However, towards, the end of Season 2, she was killed by one of the villains.
Sam Troughton : Role: Much
Role In Robin Hood
In Robin Hood, he plays the character of Much, who is the best friend of Robin Hood. He remains loyal to Robin Hood and follows him through his best and worst times. He feels jealous of people on whom Robin showers his attention, most prominently Marian, whom Robin loves.
Keith Allan : Role: Vaysey, Sheriff of Nottingham
Role In Robin Hood
In Robin Hood, he plays the main villain i.e. The Sheriff of Nottingham. He is cruel and corrupt official, who wants to kill the King of England with the help of his associates namely Guy of Gisborne and Prince John. His main enemy is Robin Hood, who saves the people from his atrocities and also upsets his plan to kill the King. He uses different means to capture Robin Hood, but the tables are always turned on him.
Richard Armitage: Role: Guy of Gisborne
Role In Robin Hood
In Robin Hood, he plays the villainous character of Sir Guy of Gisborne. He is the right hand man of the evil Sheriff, who supervises Locksley Estate while Robin Hood is fighting for the King. He is not willing to surrender the estate on Robin’s return and is quite happy when Robin becomes an outlaw. He is also interested in marrying Marian, whom Robin loves. The two reasons ignite his hatred for Robin and he is keen to destroy him.
Harry Lloyd : Role: Will Scarlet
Role In Robin Hood
In Robin Hood, he plays the character of Will Scarlet, who is a about to be hanged for stealing food. However Robin saves him and Will becomes an outlaw. His knowledge of carpentry helps him assist his friends in different ways. In the final episode of season 2, he confesses his love for Djaq and expresses his desire to live with her in the Holy Land.
Joe Armstrong : Role: Allan A’ Dale
Role In Robin Hood
In Robin Hood, he plays the character of Allan A’ Dale, who is a habitual liar and a speculator. He joins the Merry Men after being rescued by Robin Hood from the Sheriff’s men. In season 2, Allan becomes the spy of Gisborne for money. After his deceit is revealed to Robin, Allan goes on to serve Gisborne. However towards the end of the season, he again joins Robin and his men to fight for the King in the Holy Land.
Anjali Jay : Role: Djaq
Role In Robin Hood
In Robin Hood, she plays the character of Djaq. She has donned the name of her dead brother. She acts as the doctor for the group as she has good knowledge of medicine. She is also an expert with explosive material with sound knowledge of chemistry. Towards the end of season 2, she tells Will that she loves him.
Gordon Kennedy : Role: Little John
Role In Robin Hood
In Robin Hood, he plays the character of Little John, an outlaw, who is initially seen as an opponent of Robin Hood. However, the two join hands after, Robin saves his wife from the Sheriff’s men. Little John is assumed to be dead by his wife Alice and son Little Little John. He is somewhat grumpy and argumentative, but is always loyal to Robin and his fellow men.
