The Stage

Harewood to join BBC1’s Robin Hood as Friar Tuck

Published Wednesday 18 February 2009 at 17:15 by Matthew Hemley

Criminal Justice actor David Harewood is to play Friar Tuck in BBC1’s new series of Robin Hood, which will be broadcast this spring.

The actor will join series regulars Jonas Armstrong as Robin Hood and Keith Allen as the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Former Coronation Street actress Joanne Froggatt will also join the cast, playing a new member of Robin’s gang called Kate.

Harewood said “creating a modern, strong Tuck for a 21st century audience” had been a terrific opportunity and a “real challenge”.

“He’s a warrior poet, a man of vision and imagination, who has a very hands-on approach when it comes to justice and freedom,” Harewood added.

The third series of Robin Hood will be the last to star Armstrong, who announced last year he was to step down from the role of Robin Hood.

However, work has already started on a fourth series, with At Home with the Braithwaites writer Sally Wainwright being hired to lead a creative overhaul of the show.

Speaking about the latest series, executive producer Greg Brenman, from production company Tiger Aspect, said: “Series three is bigger, bolder and more action-packed than ever before. From the get-go, Robin’s turbo energy compels the series forward.”