Confirming that not even the the Sherwood Forest can offer protection from the current state of Western entertainment, Canadian television network Global has announced that production has begun on Robyn Hood, a new small screen series which will “reimagine” the English archer of legend as a young, black, female “Gen Zer”.
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Following its original development announcement in January 2022, the upcoming eight-episode miniseries officially entered production on June 20th in the Toronto and Hamilton areas.
Created by Canadian music video director Director X and featuring a story by Orphan Black story coordinator Chris Roberts, the eight-episode “near-fi-action drama” is described by Global as a “contemporary re-imagining of Robin Hood”.
As per a synopsis of the series provided by the network, “In this modern take on the Robin Hood legend, Robyn is a fearless young woman who is not just another superhero, with abilities normal people don’t have.”
“She is a Gen Zer driven by the injustices of today who embraces the heroic, hopeful and playful elements of the world’s most recognizable folk hero,” it continues. “She learns to fight for what’s right, to care for and lead her followers. And like all Robin Hoods since the first ballad, Robyn holds those in power to account by using their greed against them to help her community.”
Turning to the protagonist herself, Global explained, “Robyn Hood follows Robyn Loxley, a young woman whose masked hip-hop band, The Hood, is known for their inventive videos and anti-authoritarian message.”
“She lives in Sherwood Towers, a cluster of rental high-rises in a working-class corner of New Nottingham, a near-fi city where the cost of living has skyrocketed, leaving an ever-widening gap between the rich and everyone else,” they added.
The synopsis ultimately concludes with a hint towards the series’ actual plot, teasing, “When Robyn finds herself fighting for her home and her family against local property developer John Prince and The Sheriff of New Nottingham, Robyn and her band The Hood decide to fight back, righting the wrongs of the corrupt elite to give back to the people who are living under their regime.”
Alongside the series’ production announcement, Global also revealed Robyn Hood’s principal cast, beginning with the news that Jessye Romeo (Katie Browning, Pennyworth) was set to lead the series as the titular Robyn.
Joining her will be Nykeem Provo (Simon, The Right One), Idrissa Sanogo (Young Man, Titans), Daniela Kharlamova (Girl in Classroom, The Boys) and Jonathan Langdon (Hudson, Run the Burbs), as Robyn’s The Hood bandmates.
The series will also feature Sydney Kuhne (Dani, Titans) as attorney Marian Fitzwalter, Ian Matthews (Frank, Orphan Black) as the villainous real estate tycoon John Prince and Kira Guloien (Lucinda Helmsworthy, Murdoch Mysteries) as New Nottingham’s corrupt Sheriff.
Rounding out the case will be Manuel Rodriguez-Saenz (Mr. Castleman, The Communist’s Daughter) as rival rapper Guy Gisbourne and Lisa Michelle Cornelius (Sarah, Star Trek: Short Treks – The Trouble With Edward) as Tressie Loxley, an activist and Robyn’s mom.
Robyn Hood is currently set to premiere on Global sometime in 2023.