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.
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