In autumn 2006, the BBC officially unveiled an Irish-born TV newcomer – relatively unknown 25 year old Jonas Armstrong to tackle his first major role, as the legendary infamous Nottinghamshire outlaw Robin Hood.
   
With Dominic Minghella’s script, the series has been updated to appeal to today’s more sophisticated audience  - “There’s green. But there’s no tights. I’ve got a leather hooded top. The costumes have got a very modern feel to them… Alan-a-Dale wears combat trousers. Very modern”.

Its contemporary slant has led to it being dubbed Robin Hoody – much to Jonas amusement – “I think we’ve come up with something cool that’s both modern and medieval, with a bit of street, I’ve even a hoodie!”

Where there are differences in costume in our modern Robin Hood compared to the original Robin Hood, is there any common ground between Jonas and Robin Hood we may ask? “Apart from being dab hand with a sword I’ve only been to Nottingham once. And the closest I’ve come to living in a forest was when I went to the Glastonbury Festival. The only time I’ve robbed from the rich and given to the poor was coming home from the pub one night when I nicked a bike from a posh garden and gave it away to my poor, drunken mate!”

The series has comedy as well as the expected swordsmanship, archery, fast-paced action, goodies and baddies and of course some romance with Marian, played as a raven-haired, red-lipped beauty by actress Lucy Griffiths, who says her character is “feisty” and “kick arse”.  At the time of the interview, Jonas hadn't filmed any sex scenes, but was certainly looking forward to them, “I’ve had sex scenes in every TV job I’ve done apart from as Robin… But it will be nice when we do because she’s gorgeous.” 

Jonas tells us it's not all about the sex appeal though;

“I think it is a love story. There’s also a battle between the good and the bad, the tyrant and the hero, which is obviously Robin and the Sheriff, and there’s loads of action that will engage an audience – action sequences and fighting and stunts and everything else; but the love triangle between Gisborne, Marian and Robin is the most obvious through line of the whole thing, I think, and the one I tried to concentrate more on”.

The filming of the new series actually took place in Hungary, with the woods around Budapest standing in for Sherwood Forest – the traditional home of Robin Hood. Joans adds "We have not been disappointed by the scenes though as the “landscape is quite spectacular. It’s amazing to look at”

The essence of a timeless legend filled with adventure, action, bravery and romance have been the key ingredients that has made Robin Hood a hit for contemporary audiences.

“He’s a total legend, I’m privileged to play a character that is known and loved by millions”.

And indeed he is – with ratings often toppling ITV's saturday night offering, it seems that Joans is the one with the real X-Factor