MGM’s upcoming Robin Hood series has cast veteran actor Sean Bean to star as Sheriff of Nottingham in what is described as “a modern take” on the classic story.
Robin Hood is one of England’s most famous folklore heroes. Possibly based on a real-life person, Robin Hood has inspired countless tales in literature, film, TV and stage as he fought against a corrupt monarchy and stole from the rich to give to the poor. Modern films or TV have seen Robin Hood played by Kevin Costner, Russell Crowe, Taron Egerton, Cary Elwes, Jonas Armstrong and more. Robin Hood will see Jack Patten, an Australian footballer turned actor, the latest to take up the bow for this new version.
Bean will play the Sheriff of Nottingham in what the show called a “unique” take on the villainous character. He will be “a statesman, a strategist, and a builder of Nottingham itself. A loving father, a politician, and cousin to King Henry II. He navigates the dangerous tides of power, facing not only an outlaw in the woods but also the ambitions of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Norman Barons that surround him. Cunning and pragmatic, he is a man who rules with an iron hand, not out of cruelty, but an unshakable belief that the law, as Normans see it, must be preserved.”
Bean has starred in many big blockbuster films, namely the Lord of the Rings trilogy, GoldenEye, Patriot Games, Troy and The Martian. On the TV side, he has starred in Game of Thrones, Snowpiercer, Marriage and Broken. He also holds a record for most deaths in his roles as many of his characters, whether they’re heroes or villains, have been on the receiving end of particularly grisly deaths.
As for Patten, he is a newcomer to acting after retiring from football due to a knee injury, but trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Syndey, Australia and will make his film debut in Netflix’s action thriller War Machine alongside Alan Ritchson, Jai Courtney and Dennis Quaid.
Following the Norman invasion of England, Rob – a Saxon forester’s son – and Marian, the daughter of a Norman lord – fall in love and work together to fight for justice and freedom. As Rob rises as the leader of a band of rebel outlaws, Marian infiltrates the power at court, as both work together to thwart royal corruption and bring peace to the land.
Robin Hood will run for 10-episodes with John Glenn and Jonathan English showrunning, writing and executive producing. English will also serve as the series’ director. Also executive producing is Todd Lieberman for Hidden Pictures with Carly Elter and Nicole Bryant overseeing the project for Lionsgate Television.
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