Sean Bean to play the Sheriff of Nottingham in a Robin Hood series.

      MGM's forthcoming series on Robin Hood has cast seasoned actor Sean Bean in the role of the Sheriff of Nottingham, portraying what is described as “a modern interpretation” of the timeless tale.

      Robin Hood stands as one of England's most renowned folklore figures. Likely inspired by a historical character, Robin Hood has sparked numerous stories across literature, film, television, and theater, fighting against a corrupt monarchy and redistributing wealth from the rich to the poor. In recent adaptations, Robin Hood has been depicted by actors such as Kevin Costner, Russell Crowe, Taron Egerton, Cary Elwes, and Jonas Armstrong, with Jack Patten, an Australian footballer turned actor, stepping into the iconic role for this new rendition.

      In this series, Bean's portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham will offer a “unique” perspective on the notorious figure. He is characterized as “a statesman, a strategist, and a builder of Nottingham itself,” depicting “a devoted father, a politician, and a cousin of King Henry II,” navigating the treacherous waters of power, contending not only with an outlaw in the forest but also with the ambitions of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the surrounding Norman Barons. His character is described as intelligent and practical, governing with a firm hand—not out of malice, but driven by an unwavering conviction that the law, as understood by the Normans, must be upheld.

      Bean's impressive filmography includes major blockbuster hits like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, GoldenEye, Patriot Games, Troy, and The Martian. On television, he has appeared in Game of Thrones, Snowpiercer, Marriage, and Broken, holding the record for the most deaths in his roles, with numerous characters meeting notably gruesome ends.

      As for Patten, he is making his acting debut after retiring from football due to a knee injury, having trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney, Australia. He is set to appear in Netflix’s action thriller War Machine, alongside Alan Ritchson, Jai Courtney, and Dennis Quaid.

      The plot follows Rob, the son of a Saxon forester, and Marian, the daughter of a Norman lord, who fall in love following the Norman invasion of England. Together, they combat injustice and fight for freedom. As Rob emerges as the leader of a band of rebel outlaws, Marian works her way into court to challenge royal corruption and restore peace to the realm.

      Robin Hood will consist of 10 episodes, with John Glenn and Jonathan English serving as showrunners, writers, and executive producers. English will also take on the role of director for the series. Todd Lieberman will executive produce for Hidden Pictures, while Carly Elter and Nicole Bryant will oversee the project for Lionsgate Television.

      Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more updates on movies and fandom discussions.