MGM+'s New 'Robin Hood' Finds Its Maid Marian as Series Cast Finalized
Lauren McQueen in "Belgravia: The Next Chapter"
(Photo: Robert Viglasky/Carnival Film & Television Limited/MGM+)
MGM+'s new Robin Hood adaptation has found its Maid Marian. Actress Lauren McQueen (Belgravia: The Next Chapter) has been tapped to play the legend's famous love interest opposite newcomer Jack Patten's outlaw hero. Though it sounds like she'll be just going by Marian in this version of the story — and that she will, for once, have an actual arc of her own.
Showrunner John Glenn reportedly aims to give this new adaptation of the classic story a more modern feel, attempting to make it (at least slightly) more historically accurate, adding some much-needed psychological depth to its often fairly straightforward character archetypes, and leaning into the romance between Rob and Marian in a way that treats both characters as equals.
This Robin Hood will be set in the years following the Norman conquest of England. Rob is a Saxon forester's son, while Marian is the daughter of a Norman lord. Despite the complications that arise from their different backgrounds and social positions, the two fall in love and work together to bring peace to their kingdom and justice to its people.
Sean Bean (Shardlake) plays their primary adversary, the infamous Sheriff of Nottingham, here reimagined as a royal politician and statesman with a genuine love of the law, who must fight his own political battles with the figures at Henry II's court, even as he contends with the band of outlaws in the neighboring forest.
Here's the series' synopsis.
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.
Alongside Patten, McQueen, and Bean, the series has rounded out the rest of its main ensemble. Lydia Peckham (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) will play Priscilla of Nottingham, the daughter of the sheriff who well understands the rules of power. Steve Waddington (The Long Shadow) is the Earl of Huntingdon, the ruthless Norman lord who is Marian's father. Marcus Fraser (Foundation) is Little John, Robin's most loyal and trusted ally; Angus Castle-Doughty (Showtrial) is the principled young monk Friar Tuck; and Henry Rowley is Will, a character described as a young man torn between two worlds.
Robin Hood is written by Glenn and Jonathan English (The Librarians: The Next Chapter). English is directing the series pilot and will serve as producing director for the season. Todd Lieberman is the executive producer for Hidden Pictures.
Production on the ten-episode series is currently underway in Belgrade, Serbia.
