The Stage

Hood the new Who?

Published Thursday 14 July 2005 at 13:55 by Liz Thomas

Robin Hood could be the next programme to be updated for a new generation as part of the BBC’s renaissance of Saturday evening family drama, following the success of Doctor Who.

BBC1 controller Peter Fincham said the popularity of Doctor Who had perceptibly changed the landscape of Saturday night and the Corporation was developing a number of dramas that families could watch together.

He said: “We are developing and hope to do a Robin Hood. It’s another iconic family drama brand that once in a generation is good to look at.” Fincham added good writing would be crucial to any new production.

Jane Tranter, BBC head of drama commissioning, was keen to stress that it was still very early days for the project. She explained: “We are only at the script development stage. We are working with Dominic Minghella and Tiger Aspect on the project. We have other ideas that are more developed but this is probably the most well known.”

The last time the tales of Robin Hood were adapted for television was in 1984. ITV broadcast Robin of Sherwood with Michael Praed for three series, before the role was taken up by Jason Connery.

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