Robin Hood to ride back to BBC1

Published Thursday 23 November 2006 at 16:35 by Liz Thomas

BBC1 Saturday night drama Robin Hood will return after the BBC confirmed that it had commissioned a second season.

When the show initially broadcast ratings started strongly, in excess of seven million, but after came under fire for the quality of some of the performances and its storylines, from the critics. Viewing figures dropped prompting debate about whether the multi-million pound series, which had been filmed in Romania, would return.

However as The Stage exclusively revealed earlier this month senior sources said at both the BBC and producer Tiger Aspect said

they were confident the show would come back. One senior Corporation source added that, while the show did not necessarily rate as well as Doctor Who, it was broadcast at a different time of year. They said that the autumn schedule, where ITV rolls out big guns such as Ant and Dec and The X Factor, was toughest.

The new series will also be a 13 parter and penned by Dominic Minghella and the main cast will all return.

BBC controller of fiction Jane Tranter said: “The cast have engaged and delighted a whole new generation with this fresh and modern retelling of Robin Hood.

Keith Allen’s captivating portrayal of the menacing Sheriff coupled with the great performances from our young cast headed up by Jonas Armstrong equals compelling drama.”

Allen recently told The Stage that he would like the programme to run to at least three series. Filming is due to start next spring, for broadcast later next year.

Foz Allan, executive producer, said: “We are delighted to be returning and that audiences seem to have really taken to the series and its characters. What is exciting and continues to be exciting about Robin Hood is not only Dominic Minghella’s scripts but working with such fantastic new young talent.”