List of Robin Hood (2006 TV series) characters

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Left to right: Little John, Much, Alan-A-Dale, Robin Hood, Roysten White, Will Scarlett

Robin Hood is a British television drama series, produced by Tiger Aspect Productions for BBC One, which debuted in October 2006. The programme uses the majority of the familiar characters from the traditional Robin Hood legends, although some have been given new back-stories or characteristics.

Robin Hood (Jonas Armstrong)

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Robin of Locksley, as played by Jonas Armstrong

Robin of Locksley, generally known as Robin Hood, is portrayed by Jonas Armstrong in the 2006 TV series. This version of Robin is much younger than many of the previous actors to have played the character, Armstrong described his portrayal of Robin Hood as "A believable superhero... Like all leaders, he's an egoist and he's often quite arrogant. He's not an out-and-out hero...He has an undercurrent of darkness."

At the outset of the series, Robin has just returned to England after five years fighting in the Third Crusade as part of the King's Guard, during which he was honoured by King Richard and almost mortally wounded. He is Earl of Huntingdon, and Lord of Locksley Manor and its estate.

Once engaged to be married to Marian, he still has strong feelings for her when he returns, and is pleased that she is still unmarried. She initially shuns him upon his return, and rejects his attempts to charm her. They become closer over the course of the first series, Robin frequently visiting her at home under cover of darkness. He is devastated when she becomes engaged to Guy of Gisborne in order to keep herself and her father safe, and even contemplates leaving Nottingham on the day of her wedding to Guy.

A darker side of Robin's character is revealed when he realises that it was a masked Gisborne that he prevented from killing King Richard whilst in the Holy Land. This sends Robin into a rage and he attempts to kill Gisborne in his anger, compromising his own teachings and beliefs about killing only when necessary. Though prevented from killing Gisborne by Much and John, Robin still strives to prove Gisborne's guilt for the rest of the series.

When Guy stabs Marian, unaware that it is her disguised as the Nightwatchman, she appears to die, despite Robin and Djaq's efforts to save her. Robin, utterly devastated, breaks down over her body and admits that he loves her. She survives, her 'death' attributed to the shutting down of her body following the stab wound, and hemlock, applied by the treacherous physician Pitts. She decides to go ahead with the wedding to Guy, and Robin, furious and heart-broken, abandons his men.

He viciously rebuffs Much's attempts to comfort him (for the second time in the series insulting Much as being simple) and packs up to leave Nottingham. He stops in his tracks when he hears Much interrupting Marian's wedding and reaches the ceremony in time to see Marian leave Guy at the altar. He gives her a ride to the castle after Gisbourne reveals his true colors. Just when the audience is led to think that nothing will happen between them (Marian gets off the horse and they go in different directions in a hope to save her father) he calls her back and they kiss. Robin gets his fighting spirit back, saving Marian's father Edward from being killed by the Sheriff and redeeming himself to Much by preventing the Sheriff from slitting his throat. Key sayings:"For every man there is a purpose which he sets up in his life. Let yours be the doing of all good deeds." "Where would be the fun in that?" "Do you know who I am? I’m Robin Hood."

Lady Marian (Lucy Griffiths)

The daughter of the former Sheriff of Nottingham, Marian is twenty-one years old, and in contrast to most Robin Hood legends, is not described as Maid Marian, but rather Lady Marian. "In those days [21] would be considered quite old to still be a maid," actress Lucy Griffiths explained in the Radio Times preview." She was engaged to Robin before he went to fight in the crusades and is visibly cold and aloof toward him on his return, although in episode twelve she admits that she considered him a hero even while calling him a fool. She was initially disapproving of Robin's outlaw status because she believed that the best way to fight injustice was to work inside the system. However, she aids him in his fight against the Sheriff by frequently spying for him and giving him inside information that she has picked up in the Sheriff's castle, and from Gisborne. Marian also fights the Sheriff in her own right, disguising herself as the Nightwatchman and giving the poor food and supplies.

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Robin visits Marian under cover of darkness

She is coerced by Guy of Gisborne, who has feelings for her, into agreeing to marry him when King Richard returns to England. Though she does not love him, she does so to protect both herself and her father from his wrath. Marian is head-strong and no-nonsense, if often derisive of Robin's arrogance and cocky attitude towards her. Despite this, her care for him is evident as the series progresses, and they share many tender moments in secret.

When King Richard appears to return to England (he is, in fact, an impostor), Marian must fulfill her promise to marry Sir Guy, and he immediately prepares their wedding. In one final act of defiance against him, she dresses as the Nightwatchman and attempts to steal from him, but he stabs her as she makes her escape, unaware that she is Marian. Djaq cares for her and manages to revive her when she appears to die of the wound. Soon after though, Marian dies again, and the penultimate episode of the first series ends with Robin mourning over her body and admitting his love for her. However, it is revealed in the next episode that her body merely shut down as a result of a concoction she had been given.

Regaining her health shortly afterwards, Marian reluctantly arrives to marry Guy. The wedding is interrupted by a frantic Much, who informs her that the king is an impostor, and that it is a ruse by the Sheriff and Guy to weed out the Sheriff's enemies. In the hope that she will forgive him, Guy admits that he knew of the plan, but Marian punches him and flees the wedding. Robin rides up on horseback to greet her and Much, and Marian rides off with him. When they arrive at the castle to expose the Sheriff's plot, she and Robin finally kiss. In the second series, Marian and her father were under house arrest in Nottingham Castle. Marian could not travel out of the castle without an armed gaurd although she has managed to avoid this due to Robin's men creating a diversion, or her being allowed a day off by Guy. WIth these methods of avoiding an armed chaperone, Marian manages to successfully deliver information to Robin In series 2, it is evident that Robin and Marian's relationship has grown more stronger however Marian seems be stuck in a love triangle with Robin and Guy, who unknown of her being Nightwatchman or the fact that she is Robin's informer, still harbours some feelings for her. Key sayings:"Grow up!" "You are an utter fool!"

Sir Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage)

A dark, brooding man always clad in black leather, Guy is the Sheriff's second-in-command, and manages the Locksley estate in Robin's absence. He is reluctant to relinquish control over it and claims it as his own when Robin is outlawed. His eagerness for land of his own, comes from bitterness over having no actual Gisborne estate of his own, despite his title. Guy fathers a child, Seth with a servant girl, Annie, and later abandons him in the forest, only for the baby to be found and rescued by Robin and his men. In the words of the Radio Times, Gisborne is "the chief dispenser of the Sheriff's rough justice... seen killing a man in front of his own son."

As in other tellings of the Hood legends, he is a suitor of Marian, but she does not return his affections. In episode seven, he forces her into an engagement with him. It is later revealed that Guy was the masked assassin that Robin was wounded by in the Holy Land as he tried to prevent him from killing King Richard. Robin slashed his tattoo with a sword during the fray, and Robin realises that it was Guy when he sees his tattoo with an identical scar through it. A very angry Robin kidnaps and tortures Guy after he finds out, and attempts to reveal Guy's treachery to the public with proof, but so far has been unsuccessful.

Just before their wedding is due to go ahead, Marian disguises herself as the Nightwatchman and attempts to steal a chest of money from Guy, which she describes as "A final fling to make me more comfortable in my marriage." to her father, Edward. Unaware that it is his fiancée, Guy stabs her in the stomach. After being cared for by Robin and Djaq, she recovers for the wedding, but decides not to marry Guy at the last minute.

Gisborne is evidently not pure evil as he lacks the Sheriff's sadistic glee and even seems at times to disapprove. He does show remorse for his villainous ways in the final episode of the first season and lets Marian go after she goes to warn Robin of the Sheriff's plan. Key sayings:"I will keep giving…"

Vaysey, Sheriff of Nottingham (Keith Allen)

Cynical, sarcastic and with a dark sense of humour, Allen's portrayal was described by the Hollywood Reporter as "very camp in the Alan Rickman tradition of sardonic villains," referring to Rickman's role as the Sheriff in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Vaysey became the Sheriff three or four years before Robin's return to England, taking over from Marian's father Edward. He helped to install Guy of Gisborne as the new Lord of Locksley on Robin's estate. Very sadistic, he despises Robin and all that he stands for, and enjoys taunting him for his actions and beliefs. Despite being a cowardly character in the face of any violence, he appears to be a skilled swordsman when needs be. He is thwarted again and again by Robin, despite his many attempts to bring Robin to his twisted view of justice. He has many catch phrases, one being "A clue: No." which he says in almost all episodes, also that being the name of the last episode of series one. Vaysey however is evidently not completely bad as it is revealed in Episode. 1 of Series. 2 that he has a sister named Davina whom he loves and the two are very affectionate, albeit in an evil sort of way. He is enraged and saddened when Robin inadvertently causes Davina's death and Vaysey vows revenge. Key sayings:"A clue: no" "Lah-di-dah!" "I like this. This is good."

Others

Little John (Gordon Kennedy)

A former resident of Locksley, John was outlawed many years ago. His wife Alice and his son believe that he is dead until episode 11 when he reveals to them that he is alive. He is initially the leader of the outlaw band seen in the forest, and meets Robin when he and his band capture him, Much and Alan at the end of the first episode. This eschews the traditional meeting of John and Robin, seen in almost every other interpretation of the legends, where they battle with quarterstaffs over who can cross a river first. "We had a different version for their meeting and we had something so horrible going on in the episode that a jolly fight was entirely inappropriate," the programme's showrunner Dominic Minghella told the Radio Times. John dislikes Robin immediately, but joins his gang when he realises that Robin can help Alice and the people of Locksley. He is a bit cantankerous and bad-tempered, but loyal to the group. He generally fights with a quarterstaff. Key sayings:"Him I do not like." "We go to Nottingham!"

Much (Sam Troughton)

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Sam Troughton as Much

Robin's former manservant, and good friend Much followed his master to the crusades, but was given his freedom after his service there. However, he remains a loyal friend to Robin, and his right-hand man. Troughton described his character to The Sunday Times as "an innocent who has lost his innocence." Unlike previous versions of the character, Much is not portrayed in the series as having been a Miller's son — indeed, in the second episode, he claims to have no family at all.

Promised the estate at Bonchurch by Robin before they are outlawed, he takes up residence there in the latter half of the first series when the Sheriff tries to coax him out of Robin's gang. Much returns to the fold although not before having formed an attachment to reformed spy Eve. Much often speaks without thinking first, getting himself and others into trouble. He seeks comfort and food throughout the series, though he is usually thwarted by Robin's penchant for getting into fights. He is loyal to Robin to a fault, and though Robin admits his love and affection for him, he still cruelly rebuffs Much's friendship and advice in many episodes. He fights with a longsword and buckler. Key sayings:"But Master... surely not!" "Surely some mistake!" "Oh, very funny." "You are revolting" "We could have pork. Or lamb. Or cheese."

Sam Troughton's grandfather Patrick Troughton played television's first Robin Hood in 1953.

Allan-a-Dale (Joe Armstrong)

Allan is the first member of the main cast seen in the series. He is in the first scene of episode one, having been caught attempting to shoot a deer on the Sheriff's land. Robin saves him from having his hand cut off. Later when he is hanged along with Will, Robin saves him again just in time, and Allan runs into Sherwood Forest with him. He claims to have come from Rochdale, hence the A’Dale surname.

Though Allan-A-Dale is usually depicted as a minstrel or storyteller, this version of the character is not, though he does tell tall tales quite a lot - he is a pathological liar, frequently concocting outlandish stories to get himself out of trouble. Since his reputation of being a bit of a trickster and being rather funny, Allan's catchphrase is 'I'm not being funny but...' - this is repeated by him in almost every episode. Since it was him that figured out that Marian was not dead, this was his way of revealing it, showing that it was not a joke. He is the second most accomplished archer of the group, after Robin, and also uses a sword in close combat.

His brother Tom, also a compulsive liar and thief, appears in episode seven and is hanged by the Sheriff. It is Djaq who comforts Allan afterwards. When Djaq is held hostage by the Sheriff, it is Allan along with Will who spearheads the mission to free her. He admits he likes her, at the same time as Will admits he loves her. He and Will decide to leave in the penultimate episode of the first series, but return just in time to back up the gang in a battle with the Sheriff's men. As usual, his excuse being lies to get him out of the trouble. And, being it Will that admits where they had headed.

In Series 2, Allan becomes an affiliate of Guy of Gisbourne, agreeing to spy on Robin for money and food. After one of his plans fails, Robin attempts the track down the traitor. Allan begins to realises his mistake during a conversation with Djaq. Robin informs his gang that he will meet with a barmaid, who knows the identity of the spy, at sunset after seeing Marian.

Allan goes to the barmaid early, and refuses his reward for informing Gisbourne of Robin's plans. However, Robin had suspected that the traitor would come to 'cover his tracks'. He does not kill Allan, but banishes him from his group. Key sayings:"Not being funny but..." "Will you shut up?!"

Will Scarlet (Harry Lloyd)

The youngest member of the group at eighteen, Will is the son of Locksley's carpenter. His mother died from starvation and his father has lost a hand because of him and his brother poaching food to survive. He was hanged for stealing flour in the first episode but was cut down by Robin just in time. He followed him into the forest afterwards. When Little John and his gang tie Robin, Much and Allan-A-Dale up, he comes to their rescue. He usually fights with two axes, and because of his knowledge of carpentry, he often finds unique ways of helping the gang.

Somewhat slow to anger, he is a quiet, shy and calm character, who is often a voice of reason. He and Allan often work together when the group separates off on a mission, and have bonded despite their opposite personalities. It is Will who realises that the Saracen newcomer in their group, Djaq, is a girl disguised as a man, after accidentally catching her in the middle of washing and in the process gets hit on the head with a branch . He forms an attachment to her, and admits that 'he loves her' at the same time that Allan admits that 'he likes her'. Will is particularly moved when it appears that Marian has died, and openly cried over her body in the final episode of series one.

In episode 4 of series two, Will's father Dan is killed by the Sheriff. Will goes insane with grief and disregarding the consequences for the whole of Nottingham he sets out to avenge his father's death by poisoning the Sheriff and locks Djaq in a storeroom when she discovers an antidote that could save him. Only after he is led to believe Robin is dying after drinking the poison does he relent and let the sheriff live.

Royston White (William Beck)

One of the original forest outlaws, Roy was Little John's protégé, introduced at the end of episode one, as he captures Robin, Much, Alan, and will alongside John and two other outlaws, Dickon A Barnsley and Tom Fletcher (who were dropped from the show after Episode 2). John and Roy originally detested the others, but after persuasion they realised where their loyalties lied and united as a group of six, forming the merry men.

Roy was brave, sarcastic, brutal and cunning, and often had a mind of his own. He was the only Merry man who would stand up to Robin's habits of taking control, and to any of the others. He was unpredictable, but far less narrow minded than some of the men. He saves Robin’s life in Episode 4 ‘Parenthood’, by pushing Robin out of the way of a hurtling mace thrown by Sir Guy of Gisborne, only to get coshed with it himself. He is captured, imprisoned and tortured by Sir Guy. The Sheriff arrests his mother Mary White and in exchange for her life Roy is instructed to assassinate Robin. He tries, but fails. In the gang’s attempt to rescue his mother Mary White, from being hanged at Nottingham Castle, Roy sacrifices his own life and is slain by 4 of the Sheriff’s henchmen. His role as the sixth outlaw was replaced by the character of Djaq in the following episode.

Djaq (pronounced as Jack) (Anjali Jay)

Introduced in the episode "Turk Flu", Djaq is a Saracen who was being transported as a slave. She is a girl, but disguised herself as a boy. Her name is actually Saffia, but she took on her dead twin brother's name and appearance in his memory. She joined Robin's outlaws, and though shocked when Will reveals that she is a girl, they permit her to stay. Her father was a physician, and she herself has knowledge of medicine and chemistry.She speaks very little about her past.

Head-strong, quick-witted and somewhat a feminist, Djaq is a worthy addition to the band of outlaws, never once seeming out-numbered by the men. An alchemist with several scientific tricks up her sleeve, she gets herself and the gang out of several scrapes. By her own admission she is a ‘rubbish cooker’, but as the only female gang member, the lads are very protective of her. She has a rapport with all of Robin's gang, and does not know that Will and Allan have feelings for her as she wasn't present when they admitted them. Will and Allen both think she looks good in a dress.

Djaq is not one of the traditional characters in the Robin Hood legends, although she does follow in the latter tradition of a Saracen character being added to the band of outlaws. (See Nasir in Robin of Sherwood from the 1980s, Azeem from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves in 1991, and Achoo from Robin Hood: Men in Tights in 1993). She is however the first female Saracen character to feature in this role.

Edward(Michael Elwyn)

Edward, Lord of Knighton is Marian's father. The previous Sheriff of Nottingham, his bid was not accepted by Prince John when the shires were handed out. Like Marian he's learnt to appear to accept the new regime on the surface, whilst working in the background against the new Sheriff. He worries about his safety and that of his daughter, if they displease the Sheriff. In episode 13 of series 1, he joined with other nobles to prevent the sheriff assassinating King Richard. However recently due to the minor rebellion , he has been placed under arrest in the castle, whether he will survive the ordeal is yet to be concluded.

External links

• "Characters and Actors" page on the official Robin Hood website at bbc.co.uk