Steven Prusakowski
I went into MGM+’s new Robin Hood expecting a typical spin on the familiar 650-year-old legend, one that steals from the rich and gives to the poor in predictable fashion. My understanding of the legend has been formed mostly by pop culture and staples like Disney’s animated fox musical, Errol Flynn’s merry antics, Kevin Costner’s ’90s hit, Mel Brooks’ Men in Tights parody, and even the Looney Tunes short. I would not call myself a lore expert by any means, but it felt like I’d seen it all. Instead, this 10-episode series, created by John Glenn, surprised me with its grounded take, leaning hard into an origin story laced with deeper political and emotional layers that elevate the story to beyond expectations when envisioning Nottingham.
(Read the review and watch cast interview below.)
Set in the 12th century amid Saxon/Norman tensions, it follows young Rob Locksley (Jack Patten) not as the established hero, but as a boy shaped by family, loss, and rebellion. The show delivers a fun, engaging ride that’s more about human perseverance than high adventure. Twists keep you guessing, romance drives stakes higher, and the action makes archery feel cool. It channels an undeniable Game of Thrones vibe through its historical layers and moral grays, finding a balance with its lineage and character dynamics that add complexity that is inviting rather than overwhelming. The prequel humanizes its icons without losing the thrill, feeling like a history lesson as well as a sweet romance, a political intrigue and a coming-of-age tale, but best of all it injects fresh twists that keep you craving for more. It is also surprisingly brutally violent making the stakes all that much higher.
What stands out is how little it leans on Robin Hood lore beyond the names, keeping it accessible even without prior knowledge. I figured it’d be bogged down by Hood fan service, but it carves its own path, blending origin-story intimacy with broader themes of class and survival. Showrunner John Glenn discussed this balance when explaining its appeal for newcomers: “If you haven’t watched it, if you don’t know much about it, I would say that it’s just a story of human perseverance. When it comes right down to it, it’s universal in that sense,” explained Glenn. “It is the story of the small guy, the small gal rising up and refusing to take it anymore. I think that’s something that always draws me to stories, to particular themes.” The love story at the center of it is engaging and not left untouched by the themes of class division. Marion (Lauren McQueen) is from the upper class, the Norman world, and Rob is the son of a Saxon forester. The odds are set against them from the start, especially as Rob transforms from villager to vigilante.
For longtime fans, there’s plenty to latch onto too – the merry band’s budding bonds, forest ambushes, that eternal tug between outlaw and authority. Director Jonathan English emphasized making it feel organic and relatable, “I think what I missed in a lot of the films and TV shows is just characters that are a little bit more relatable, a little bit more gritty, a little bit more believable – action and violence that’s a little bit more violent. The Middle Ages was a period that was tough and hard.” He continued, “We wanted the show to feel violent and shocking at times, but we also wanted the world to feel very beautiful and lavish and romantic. We wanted a very strong romance to the story, because Robin and Marion are actually a big part of the original mythology.”
Jack Patten’s Rob/Robin Hood hits the mark, starting as a charming but impulsive lad with an arc that feels earned through both the action and the drama. Patten reflected on taking on the iconic role, “Rob’s essentially, he’s just a young 20 something year old guy who makes some bold decisions. What a privilege to play a character who is such a man of action – he’s a fighter.”
As for the fighting in the archery heavy series, the actor did not take it lightly, diving into training to transform into the hero. “When I got the role, I said to Jonathan, ‘Get me on a plane, mate.’ I really want to start learning how to shoot. I had about three and a bit weeks practicing archery. It was very important to me that it was me doing it. I didn’t want it to be someone else. It became a personal thing for me, my character.”
While Robin is launching arrows with stellar accuracy, it is the women who give the series its quiet power. McQueen’s Marian evolves from her wide-eyed innocence as she navigates loyalties and alliances. Her transformation adds weight to the character as the series goes on, the actress shared, “I was so moved when I read the first episode. I knew straight away that I would love to be involved. I’ve never played a character before with such an amazing character arc and journey where she really grows and transforms from inexperienced, innocent young girl to like a woman who finds her own power and voice. So that was really exciting for me to play a young woman who also has that inner strength and fire inside her.”
Patten and McQueen certainly have the needed spark to more than make the romance work. In a series full of bows and betrayals, their moments possess a Romeo and Juliet feel that will keep you rooting for these two to make it. Beyond the duo is a vast cast that like a chess board all bring something different to the tale, including the assemble of Hoods’ band of Merry Men, plus allies and adversaries alike.
Lydia Peckham‘s Priscilla, the Sheriff’s daughter, is a true standout, seductive and scheming on the surface, but driven by her own losses and yearning for power. Peckham infused the performance with an underlying intensity, using all her resources to her advantage. She commands attention in every scene – created for the series she is a welcome addition to the lore.
What is Nottingham without its Sherriff? Enter Sean Bean who grounds the menace as more than your obvious mustache-twirler; he’s a man burdened by his own power and a dedicated father. Bean’s involvement surely adds the welcome GOT vibes, but more so the character wields enough depth and complexity to give the actor a chance to shine, truly comprised of varying shades of gray.
“It was an opportunity to portray a society that was going through a lot of political and religious turmoil and the two opposing sides, the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans, who were relatively newcomers to the British Isles,” explained Bean. “I was very excited to play the part of the Sheriff of Nottingham, of course, and I think the fact that we had 10 hours of very well-written drama to explore was certainly an attraction for me and I felt I could flesh out and bring this very complex, very interesting man to life. Regardless of his crimes against the Anglo-Saxons, he was also a human being who was a loving father.”
Actress Connie Nielsen, whose Eleanor of Aquitaine is both a powerful queen and brilliant strategist, touches on one the biggest draws of the series. “The real stark historical context of the period and a lot of historical detail that gave a depth to the story that I hadn’t realized was there, and then bringing in the incredible historical characters like Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine.” The series breathes new life into the lore that injects political, social and personal tensions making for richer characters and scenarios – even without Robin Hood himself, there would still be plenty to get lost in.
The series pacing can wander but the organic flow, well woven twists, and compelling power dynamics make it a strong addition to the watch list. What begins as a hero’s vengeance tale evolves into something richer that will appeal to a broader audience with its blend of romance, rebellion, and its created historical depth. Robin Hood is a welcome detour into Nottingham that could easily find its band of merry faithful viewers.
Stream Robin Hood on MGM+.
SCORE: ★★★
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