Hidden gem gritty drama dominates Amazon Prime

A New Take on an Old Legend

With the overwhelming number of streaming services, TV channels, and series available today, it’s nearly impossible to keep up with everything. As a result, many shows go unnoticed when they first launch. One such series that has recently gained attention is Robin Hood, which is now streaming on MGM Plus via Amazon Prime Video.

This new adaptation features the legendary Game of Thrones actor Sean Bean alongside Australian TV star Jack Patten, offering a fresh take on the well-known legend. The series premiered on November 2 and follows folk heroes Robin and Maid Marian, played by Lauren McQueen, during the Norman invasion of England.

Sean Bean, 66, plays the Sheriff of Nottingham in the show, which was created by Ironclad writer Jonathan English and American screenwriter John Glenn. The 10-part series also stars Lydia Peckham as Priscilla of Nottingham and will release weekly episodes until the season finale on December 28.

A synopsis describes the story as: “Rob, a Saxon outlaw, and Marian, a Norman noblewoman, unite to fight injustice after the Norman conquest. Rob leads a rebel band while she infiltrates the corrupt court, both striving for justice and peace.”

Critical Reception and Viewer Reactions

Deputy TV Editor Tom Percival offered a three-star review of the new Robin Hood series, noting that while the show has its strengths, it didn’t fully resonate with him. He praised the acting, production design, and the show’s attempt to bring a new perspective to the classic tale. However, he felt that the blend of historical accuracy and fantastical elements didn’t quite work for him.

Despite this, the series has received generally positive reviews since its premiere, with an impressive 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It is currently trending on Prime Video. However, some critics and viewers have categorized it as “so bad it’s good.”

In a review for The Guardian, TV critic Lucy Mangan stated, “By any objective measure, Robin Hood is terrible. But subjectively, I couldn’t be having more fun.” She suggested that the enjoyment comes from approaching the show with the right mindset.

On Reddit, users shared similar sentiments. F1del1us agreed with Mangan’s assessment, while JockFist5000 joked, “Sometimes you just want slop. Lotta people eat fast food.” Ricker888 added, “I’m always happy they make these Robin Hood shows or similar. Are they great? Probably not. But at least this looks well-made and notable actors. I’m not going to nitpick. Keep this genre coming.”

Audience Perspectives and Ratings

While the show has its admirers, it has a lower score of 6.0 out of 10 on IMDb, based on 355 user ratings. Many reviews cite historical inaccuracies as a reason to avoid the show. However, this hasn’t deterred all viewers.

Reddit user DarkChiles said, “I’m intrigued with the story they are trying to tell and after the first two episodes I’m definitely going to continue to watch (historical inaccuracies be damned lol!)” BruceLee51 added, “First episode was pretty good. I enjoyed it. If you like that time and the story of Robin Hood, then it’s good. Fresh faces with some old school stars.”