The new Robin Hood series on MGM+, which premiered on November 2, 2025, takes a fresh approach to the classic outlaw tale. Instead of focusing on the well-known hero in Sherwood Forest, the show tells a grounded origin story about the man behind the myth. Director Jonathan English and writer John Glenn aimed to create a version rooted in historical reality and raw human emotion, exploring how a common man becomes a symbol of rebellion.
A New Start for the Robin Hood Myth
This series is not a retelling of the familiar legend but an exploration of its beginnings. The creative team focused on creating a realistic backstory for how the famous rebel came to be.
“Anchoring it in an origin story… telling the story of how this sort of rebel became this legend,” explained writer John Glenn. He added that starting with Robin’s childhood and community “grounds it, and it makes it more personal.”
The story follows Rob, played by Jack Patten, as a Saxon commoner living under harsh Norman rule after the conquest of England. He is not an outlaw from the start but a man shaped by the chaos and injustice around him. The series shows his transformation from a farmer to a fighter, a change driven by personal loss and defiance.
Historical Realism and Cinematic Scale
The show’s visual style is a key part of its grounded feel. Rather than a glamorous medieval fantasy, the directors aimed for a world of mud, grit, and authentic emotion. The series was filmed on location in Serbia, using its natural landscapes and large-scale sets to recreate 11th-century England.
“It’s not that we saw it as a lavish, glamorous production, but we wanted to create the world, and that required a certain production value, a certain spectacle,” said director Jonathan English. He credited Serbia’s filmmaking history and talented crew for allowing the production “to create a grander scale than we would have been able to in a lot of other places.”
The attention to detail extends from the set design to the costumes, all meant to immerse viewers in the historical period. The production is described as having a cinematic quality, aligning with MGM+’s mandate of providing “television for film lovers.”
Themes of Rebellion and Identity
At its heart, this adaptation is about the social and personal fault lines in England after the Norman invasion. It explores the complex tensions between the conquering Normans and the subjugated Saxons. The rebellion is not just a political act but a personal one, born from loss and a desire for justice.
Rob’s journey is a metaphor for a wider cultural awakening. His fight is not based on an existing legend but is a necessary response to oppression. The series looks closely at the blurred moral lines of justice and the price of standing up to power.
Rob and Marian’s Revamped Love Story
The romance between Rob and Marian is a central emotional pillar of the series. However, this dynamic has been reimagined with a “Romeo and Juliet” twist. Marian, played by Lauren McQueen, is a Norman noblewoman, while Rob is a Saxon. Their love crosses a deep cultural and political divide.
“So you have a little bit of this sort of Romeo and Juliet idea within their romance, and that’s part of the world, because it’s this Saxon-Norman world with the conflict that exists between them,” English said. “It was kind of important that they come from two different worlds. Otherwise, we just really wanted there to be a very strong love story.”
This version of Marian is far from a damsel in distress. She is a sharp and capable character who uses her position within the Norman court to fight tyranny from within. McQueen described her character as having an “inner strength” that grows as she discovers a world of opportunities.
Grounded Vision from Director Jonathan English
Director Jonathan English, known for medieval epics like Ironclad, brings a keen eye for historical realism to the series. His approach focuses on human motivation and the socio-political environment of the 11th century rather than mythic fantasy.
His directorial vision makes Robin Hood both a period drama and a universal story about moral courage and uprising. By focusing on the characters’ personal struggles within a believable historical context, the series expands the well-known legend into a relatable human story.
Also Read: Russell Crowe Broke His Legs While Shooting Robin Hood, But Didn’t Know For 10 Years
