Robin of Sherwood

Few figures in English folklore have enjoyed as enduring a legacy as Robin Hood — the romantic outlaw who robbed the rich to feed the poor. In the 1980s, this legendary hero was given a bold new incarnation in Robin of Sherwood, an ambitious and atmospheric ITV series created by Richard Carpenter, best known for Catweazle and a string of other family favourites including The Ghosts of Motley Hall and Dick Turpin. First airing in 1984, this version of the tale added a fresh and unexpected layer to the well-worn myth: the element of mysticism and pagan sorcery.

From the outset, Robin of Sherwood signalled it would not be just another retelling of Sherwood lore. The story begins with Ailric of Loxley, a Saxon rebel and Guardian of the Silver Arrow — a symbol of ancient pre-Christian England. When Ailric is slain by Norman invaders, his young son Robin (played with quiet intensity by Michael Praed) is adopted by a kindly miller, only to later discover his true heritage. His destiny is revealed through an encounter with Herne the Hunter, a mysterious forest spirit appearing as a man crowned with the head of a stag, who guides Robin on a higher path and bestows upon him Albion, one of the fabled Seven Swords of Wayland.

Thus empowered, Robin takes on his famous guise — Robin in the Hood — and forms the legendary band of Merry Men. Familiar figures like Little John, Maid Marian, and Friar Tuck are all present, joined by the brooding and unpredictable Will Scarlet and a new addition, Nasir the Saracen, a silent warrior created especially for the series by Carpenter. The show deftly wove traditional swashbuckling adventure with a mystical undercurrent, offering a vision of medieval England steeped in superstition, symbolism, and the struggle between ancient magic and Norman tyranny.

Michael Praed brought a compelling vulnerability to his Robin, and his departure at the end of the second series, to take up the role of D’Artagnan on Broadway, could have spelled disaster. Instead, the series took a daring narrative turn. Robin of Loxley met a hero’s death in the poignant episode “The Greatest Enemy,” after which the mantle of leadership passed to a new chosen one: Robert of Huntingdon, played by Jason Connery (son of Sean). While the change divided some fans, Connery held his own, and the final series maintained the show's strong emotional core and sense of mythic grandeur.

With its haunting theme music by Irish group Clannad and richly atmospheric visuals, Robin of Sherwood was a deeply original take on the outlaw legend. Carpenter’s writing lent the series a timeless quality, seamlessly merging folklore with fantasy.