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Jonas Armstrong is delighted to be back as Robin Hood in BBC One's highly popular series of the same name. He couldn't wait to get back to filming in the wild forests of rural Hungary.

"As soon as we got off the plane in Budapest five months ago, it felt like coming home," beams the actor, who made a huge splash in the first series as the dashing leader of the outlaws who take from the rich and give to the poor. "We all loved doing the first series so much, that we came into this season with renewed enthusiasm."

Jonas continues that the shoot in Hungary fosters a great sense of team spirit amongst the cast and crew: "It's lovely all being out here together, it gives us a wonderful sense of camaraderie. In a way, all we've got is each other, so we're all really close."

That's not to say that Robin has stayed the same, far from it. The actor, who previously starred in Ghost Squad and Teachers, asserts that his character has developed a great deal over the last year. "Last time, Robin was carefree. It was almost like he was slapping his thigh and saying, 'come on, lads, danger doesn't worry me'. He breezed through life more.

"This year, however, Robin is a worried man. The stakes have got much higher, and the weight of the world is upon his shoulders. Now, because of the Sheriff's dastardly plan, the whole country is at risk. The threat to England is very grave indeed. So I wanted to make Robin less cheeky and more dark, troubled and introverted. He's far more real and interesting."

Robin's relationship with Marian has moved on, too. "It has evolved. They kissed at the end of the last series and now they're an item. But the fact that he loves Marian is yet another burden for Robin.

"He is desperate to protect her from the evil Sheriff and Guy. She's a spy for Robin and has to keep up the pretence at the castle. He is very concerned because her role is very dangerous, she risks her life for him every single day. Robin certainly has a lot on his plate in this series!"

The character of Robin has also changed physically. "I've been working out and have bulked out considerably," reveals 26-year-old Jonas.

"I saw a picture of myself at the launch last year and I looked a bit thin. So I made a decision to get a personal trainer and I've put on a stone and a half in muscle. I now train four times a week, and I feel a lot fitter. The stunt guys have been telling me, 'you look much more confident in your body'."

Jonas, who is also an expert horseman, has found his increased fitness very beneficial in Robin's numerous fight sequences. "I love those scenes," beams the actor, who hails from Blackpool. "I always want to make them look as convincing as possible."

In addition, Jonas' archery has improved no end. "At one point," the actor recollects, "to test me out, the armourer said 'aim your bow and arrow at that cross on that tree'. The tree was about 30 metres away, but my arrow hit it right in the centre of the cross. I suppose it was a bit like William Tell!"

All in all, this has been the perfect job for Jonas. "When you're a little boy, you dream of playing Robin Hood, hanging out with your gang of outlaws in the forest, riding horses, fighting with swords and bows and arrows and battling to right wrongs. How could it get any better than this?"

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Jonas Armstrong Discusses Robin Hood's Second Series

First Published | 22:55, Saturday September 29 2007

Jonas Armstrong says he's delighted to reprise his role as Robin Hood in BBC One's hugely successful series and couldn't wait to get back to filming in the wild forests of rural Hungary. "As soon as we got off the plane in Budapest five months ago, it felt like coming home," beams the actor, who made a huge splash in the first series as the dashing leader of the outlaws who take from the rich and give to the poor. "We all loved doing the first series so much that we came into this season with renewed enthusiasm."

Jonas believes that the shoots in Hungary create a great team spirit amongst the cast and crew. "It's lovely all being out here together, it gives us a wonderful sense of camaraderie. In a way, all we've got is each other so we're all really close."

That's not to say that Robin has stayed the same – far from it. The actor, who previously starred in Ghost Squad and Teachers, asserts that his character has developed a great deal over the last year. "Last time, Robin was carefree. It was almost like he was slapping his thigh and saying, 'come on, lads, danger doesn't worry me'. He breezed through life more.

"This year, however, Robin is a worried man. The stakes have got much higher, and the weight of the world is upon his shoulders. Now, because of the Sheriff's dastardly plan, the whole country is at risk. The threat to England is very grave indeed. So I wanted to make Robin less cheeky and more dark, troubled and introverted. He's far more real and interesting – he certainly won't be slapping his thigh any more."

Robin's relationship with Marian has moved on, too. "It has evolved" says Jonas. "They kissed at the end of the last series and now they're an item. But the fact that he loves Marian is yet another burden for Robin. He is desperate to protect her from the evil Sheriff and Guy. She's a spy for Robin and has to keep up the pretence at the castle. He is very concerned because her role is very dangerous, and she risks her life for him every single day. Robin certainly has a lot on his plate in this series!"

The character of Robin has also changed physically. "I've been working out and have bulked out considerably," reveals 26-year-old Jonas. "I saw a picture of myself at the launch last year and I looked awful – really thin and gaunt. So I made a decision to get a personal trainer and I've put on a stone and a half in muscle. I now train four times a week, and I feel a lot fitter. The stunt guys have been telling me, 'you look much more confident in your body'."

Jonas, who is also an expert horseman, has found his increased fitness very beneficial in Robin's numerous fight sequences. "I love those scenes," grins the actor, who hails from Blackpool. "I always want to make them look as convincing as possible."

In addition, Jonas's archery has improved no end. "At one point," the actor recollects, "to test me out, the armourer said 'aim your bow and arrow at that cross on that tree'. The tree was about 30 metres away, but my arrow hit it right in the centre of the cross. I suppose it was a bit like William Tell!"

All in all, this has been the perfect job for Jonas. "When you're a little boy, you dream of playing Robin Hood, hanging out with your gang of outlaws in the forest, riding horses, fighting with swords and bows and arrows and battling to right wrongs. How could it get any better than this

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Plenty more strings to Robin's bow
Ian Wylie
3/10/2007

THE outlaws return to Sherwood Forest this weekend and the very soul of England is at stake when Robin Hood (BBC1, Saturday, 7.30pm) begins a new season of 13 episodes.

Sheriff of Nottingham (Keith Allen) and evil sidekick Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage) are plotting the murder of King Richard and his replacement with Prince John.

Although it improved as time went on, there was a lot wrong with last year's first series, including a number of below par scripts. Some also questioned the casting of Lancashire-raised Jonas Armstrong in the lead role. It appears lessons have been learned. Co-executive producer Foz Allan explains: "We've cranked up the jeopardy and the tension. Robin is much more of a leader and decision maker this year. His choices and dilemmas are that much greater because the stakes are so much higher.

"He was a boy, but this year he is very much a man. He has bulked up and is a more imposing, sexy and manly figure."

Jonas, 26. confirms there's more Robin for your licence fee. "I've been working out and have bulked out. I saw a picture of myself at the launch last year and I looked a bit thin. So I made a decision to get a personal trainer and I've put on a stone and a half in muscle."

"I now train four times a week and I feel a lot fitter. The stunt guys have been telling me, `You look much more confident in your body'."

Born in Dublin, Jonas moved to Lytham St Annes with his Irish parents at the age of six and is now based in north London, when not filming Robin Hood on location near Budapest in Hungary.

"Last time, Robin was carefree. He breezed through life. This year Robin is a worried man. The stakes have got much higher, and the weight of the world is upon his shoulders. The threat to England is very grave indeed. So I wanted to make Robin less cheeky and more dark, troubled and introverted. He's far more real and interesting."

The actor's own skills have also developed. "At one point, to test me out, the armourer said, `Aim your bow and arrow at that cross on that tree'. The tree was about 30 metres away but my arrow hit it right in the centre of the cross. I suppose it was a bit like William Tell."

Robin's relationship with Marian (Lucy Griffiths) has evolved. "They kissed at the end of the last series and now they're an item. But the fact that he loves Marian is yet another burden for Robin," adds Jonas.

Lucy, 19, confirms her character is part of the show's revamp. "She's had to change a fair bit since last year but the fact that Marian now loves Robin has made her grow up a lot.

"There is a drastic difference in how Marian looks. Her waistlines are tighter and her necklines are lower. All in all, she is a lot more sassy."

And Keith Allen adds: "Kids adore the Sheriff. They get him immediately. They realise that he's a heightened character. But above all, they just find him hysterically funny."

Sidekick Richard agrees. "Like Shrek or The Simpsons, Robin Hood manages to entertain adults and children at the same time but in different ways."

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lHood star is Mr Muscles

By DEREK ROBINS
October 04, 2007

ROBIN HOOD hunk Jonas Armstrong has put on 21lbs of muscle for the new run as he thought he was too weedy in the first series.

Jonas, 26, who returns in Lincoln green as the outlaw this Saturday, said: “I saw a picture of myself last year and I looked a bit thin. So I made a decision to get a personal trainer. And I’ve put on 21lbs in muscle.

“I now train four times a week and I feel a lot fitter. The stunt guys have been telling me ‘You look much more confident in your body’.”

As well as looking hunkier, Jonas has become more adept with a long bow.

He added: “To test me the armourer said ‘Aim your bow and arrow at that cross on a tree.' It was about 30 metres away but my arrow hit it right in the centre!

“It was a bit of a William Tell moment!”

Robin Hood, BBC1, Saturday, 7.30pm

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Fylde's Robin Hood star returns
By Lisa Ettridge

LOOK out Sheriff of Nottingham – Robin is back and this time he's bigger than ever.
St Annes lad Jonas Armstrong is preparing to return to our screens tomorrow for a second series of BBC One's hit series Robin Hood.

The former Arnold student scooped the role last year and rapidly gained the hearts of audiences.

More then seven million people tuned in for the first seven episodes when they were aired last October. With the new drama series all primed to start, fans of the floppy-haired hero may notice a change in his physique.

The 26-year old star said: "I've been working out and have bulked out considerably.

"I saw a picture of myself at the launch last year and I looked awful; really thin and gaunt. So I made a decision to get a personal trainer.

"I now train four times a week, and I feel a lot fitter. The stunt guys have been telling me I look much more confident in my body. I've put on a stone-and-a- half in muscle."

As well as his new-found brawn, Jonas says viewers will also notice another difference in his character – the plucky outlaw has grown up a bit. Jonas added: "Robin's more of a man this season. He's the clear leader of the gang and the boyishness has gone.

"The stakes are higher this year, so he has to toughen up. I wanted to make Robin less cheeky and more dark, troubled and introverted.

"He's far more real and interesting, he certainly won't be slapping his thigh any more."

Robin's relationship with Marian (Lucy Griffiths) has also stepped up a gear – the pair shared a kiss at the end of the last series and are now a couple.

The already star-studded cast including Keith Allen and Richard Armitage, will be joined by a galaxy of special guest stars for the 13-part series such as Denis Lawson, Ralf Little, Charlie Brooks and Lynda Bellingham.

Jonas has just spent five busy months filming the new series in the wild forests of rural Hungary.

He says he is delighted with how the role has worked out for him. He said: "We all loved doing the first series so much, that we came into this season with renewed enthusiasm."

"When you're a little boy, you dream of playing Robin Hood, hanging out with your gang of outlaws in the forest, riding horses, fighting with swords and bows and arrows and battling to right wrongs.

"How could it get any better than this?"

Robin Hood will be shown tomorrow at 7.30pm on BBC1.

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Talking Shop: Jonas Armstrong 

The BBC's modern remake of classic tale Robin Hood is returning to TV screens for a second series.
The swashbuckling drama is filmed on location in Hungary, and BBC breakfast presenter Mike Bushell spent time on set.

He caught up with the show's star Jonas Armstrong, who plays Robin, to talk about the new series - and the pitfalls of playing an heroic outlaw.

Q: It's been suggested that the mood of this series is different?

A: Yes, people have talked about it being a lot darker this year. The writers wanted to make the stakes a lot higher which is evident especially in the first episode, that is quite dark. So the mood and the feeling about the show is not quite so cheery.

Q: Does that mean your character has had to change?

A: Yes, it has really. The way it's been done before is that Robin doesn't have a care in the world. This guy has a lot worries about the state his environment is in. He can't go around being smiley all the time. It is better for me because you get to play that and I think it's a lot more interesting and believable.

Q: Does that mean you've had to change physically? 

A: I did my best to put on a bit of meat. They've got me a trainer here who does "iron man" competitions and my stunt double is always watching what I am eating so that I don't lose weight. By the end of last year I got down to nine and a half stone and I looked terrible.

Q: What challenges have you found the most difficult? The sword fighting? 

A: The best thing to do is to try to have a laugh with it. The stunt men are brilliant to fight with anyway. Sometimes it messes up, but you just pull out a move and kick them wherever and they don't complain.

Q: You broke a metatarsal bone in your foot on set. How did that happen? 

A: I was supposed to have tripped over a tree root in the forest, but I was actually doing a fight scene. There's a bit where I get thrown against the side of a hut. I was supposed to hit it full on my back but I didn't turn in time and my foot kind of hit it full pelt.

Q: Has Robin's relationship with the sheriff changed? Keith Allen [who plays him] was trying to suggest he's become more political? 

A: Yes, he has. His position's changed within the country and he's trying to raise a dark army to overthrow the king. I think Robin's position has to become stronger to match his. The relationship has become more intense.

Q: Were you surprised by the reaction back at home after the first series? 

A: I was. It's great when children get really excited and come up to you, while others are so nervous they can't talk to you! It shows the appreciation they have for the programme so you know you're doing something worthwhile.

The new series of Robin Hood begins 6 October at 1930 BST on BBC One.

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Robin Hood Star talks about shocking finale

August 4, 2008 - Spoiler Warning: The end of Robin Hood: Season 2 is discussed in detail below.

We spoke exclusively with series star Jonas Armstrong to get his reaction to the huge events from the end of Season 2 of Robin Hood and also got a taste of what's in store for Season 3 of the hit BBC series. Armstrong gave us an inside look at the Hungarian set, the departure of Maid Marian actress Lucy Griffiths and threw in a few good words about the cast for good measure.

Marian's tragic demise left quite the gaping hole for Hood fans at the end of the season, but a few words from the show's star cleared up all the mystery around Marian's sudden death and put the third season in a new light: "There's a lot of action in the third series, more than ever before and that's what the show's about. It's about action so even though Robin's devastated about her death, he really steps things up to make up for it," Armstrong said.

Armstrong did not say more about Griffiths' last minute decision to leave the show other than he hopes she's happy and that her decision to leave in order to find new opportunities pans out for her. He also said that Griffiths is a joy to be around, though he laughed about the fact that they did not get along well in their first few meetings. Armstrong admitted that he was nervous when he first got the lead role and to make up for it acted a bit arrogant which made early interactions difficult. Ultimately, Armstrong noted that they grew up a lot together as actors and ended up as great friends.

As for the rest of the cast, Armstrong said that the summer shoot under the Hungarian sun tends to wear out the cast of mixed characters, but that they're all excited to get back to work.

Armstrong also gave us a few brief looks into the upcoming storyline: he said that he was unsure of the likelihood of a new love interest springing up quickly for him, but that there are three new characters coming on for major roles in the third season and that at least one of them is female.

He did not comment on Djaq and Will's departure either, but hinted at a speedy return of most the characters seen in the finale "We Are Robin Hood" with the exception of those that were killed. In total, the actor made light of Griffiths' quick exodus and did his best to throw us a few bones for the third season, but it seems that the writers may be scrambling to fill in the gaps made by a missing love interest and that the cast will be flying by the seat of their pants, acting scene-by-scene, until they came come to grips with an unsteady storyline.

We're optimistic for the third season and can only hope that a summer full of new characters and bright new storylines will bring us a solid third season. The season opener does not have an official date for the BBC, but is slated for late fall and American fans can look for it on BBC America this spring.

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US, April 25, 2008 - There have been many 'Robin Hood of Sherwood' incarnations, but there has not been a television series so influential on the tellings of the medieval outlaw as the BBC's rendition, Robin Hood. In 2006 the show wowed British audiences, drawing in over 8 million viewers a night; back in the States the show pulled in significantly lower numbers, but gradually gained a following that has made it one of the most anticipated shows on BBC America's lineup.

Season two of Robin Hood returns to BBC America on April 26 and IGN spoke directly with the prince of thieves himself, Jonas Armstrong, about the second season and got an inside look at the Hungarian set, the new plot lines and of course the long-time-coming relationship between Robin and the brazen brunette, Lady Marian, played by Lucy Griffiths.

In the interview, Armstrong divulged some rather revealing plot lines that unfold in the second season: according to him, the characters have grown up considerably and the balance of good and evil has shifted in the Sheriff's favor. Armstrong said that the outlaws go through a much more intense battle with the Sheriff and his cronies in the second season and that they start to feel the burden of his heavy hand as the series progresses.

"Robin is weighed down by all the things that are going on and now has to deal with troubles in the Holy Land too," Armstrong said. "There is trouble abroad, but Robin has to deal with the new (and old) villains in Sherwood before he can be of aid to the king."

It has been nearly a year since Armstrong and the rest of his 'merry men' have been back on the Hungarian set, so as Armstrong reminisced he said it was difficult to remember all of the intricacies of his relationships because there are so many new twists. He did say that Robin and Marian have developed as a couple and that their new problem with Guy of Gisborne -- Marian left him at the alter to be with Robin -- has proven to be one of the most significant challenges. "Their relationship is strained, but it is much closer. Robin is that ever-romantic, so he'll do anything for his love."

This season promises to have Marian in a constant state of unrest because her uncivil union with Guy went awry in the first season's finale. Guy does not know that Marian is on Robin's side - he still only suspects foul play and an wavering heart from her, but it is unlikely that she will be able to use her feminine wiles quite so liberally on the doting degenerate this season. Armstrong said that Guy is less forgiving this time around, and that Marian is never certain where she stands with the Sheriff or his right hand man, Guy.

As for the other outlaws -- Much, Alan A Dale, Will Scarlett, Little John and Djaq -- there is much in store for their merry band as they have progressed from mere scavengers and nomads and have finally made a permanent camp somewhere deep in the forest. Armstrong said that they are much more unified than they were previously, but that there is a dark plot afoot this season as one of them is less loyal to the band than Robin would have hoped.

Armstrong said that episode 8, "Get Carter," was one of his favorite episodes because it is a turning point for Robin. He said that it becomes clear to him what he needs to do in that episode and that the audience gains a whole new perspective on what Robin has done in the Holy Lands and why he is still loyal to the King.

This season promises to hold the key to a few of the mysteries that were left unsolved at the conclusion of the first season, but will unravel a whole new list of dangers as it takes Robin and his men on a whole new journey through the unknown and unparalleled 12th century world. Tune in to BBC America on April 26 at 9pm et/pt to see the first official American showing of the swashbuckler's new adventures.