Sean Bean, the man who made dying on screen an art form in Game of Thrones, is storming back into the medieval world—not as a doomed hero this time, but as the ruthless, calculating Sheriff of Nottingham in a thunderous new 10-part series that has early viewers buzzing with comparisons to the greatest historical epics of our time.
Forget the pantomime villains of old retellings or the swashbuckling charm of classic adaptations. This reimagined Robin Hood, streaming on MGM+ and available via Prime Video, transforms the legendary outlaw saga into a brutal, politically charged war of rebellion, loyalty, and forbidden love set against the brutal aftermath of the Norman Conquest. With sweeping battles, intricate betrayals, and power struggles that echo the treacherous courts of Westeros, fans are already hailing it as “the boldest medieval drama since Braveheart” and whispering that it could fill the dragon-shaped void left by Game of Thrones.
At the heart of this ambitious retelling is Bean’s Sheriff—a far cry from the cartoonish tyrants of past versions. Here, he is a statesman, strategist, and architect of Nottingham itself, ruling with an iron fist not from mindless cruelty but from a fierce conviction that Norman law must prevail to maintain order. Bean infuses the role with layers of internal conflict: a loving father grappling with a defiant daughter, a politician navigating royal ambitions, and a man torn between duty and the rising tide of Saxon resentment. His gravelly Yorkshire growl and piercing stare make every scene crackle with menace, turning the Sheriff into the savage, compelling heartbeat of the story.
Opposite him stands newcomer Jack Patten as Rob (the young Robin of Locksley), a Saxon forester’s son whose life shatters when Norman lords seize his family’s land and execute his father. Patten brings raw intensity to the role, charting Rob’s transformation from grieving youth to reluctant rebel leader. His chemistry with Lauren McQueen as Maid Marian—a courageous Norman noblewoman who infiltrates the corrupt court to aid the cause—fuels the series’ emotional core. Their forbidden romance ignites amid class divides and warring factions, adding a passionate, star-crossed layer that elevates the tale beyond mere arrow-slinging adventures.
Adding regal fire to the ensemble is Connie Nielsen as Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, a brilliant manipulator whose ambitions threaten to engulf Nottingham and the crown itself. Nielsen’s commanding presence turns Eleanor into a force of nature, scheming in opulent palaces while arrows fly in Sherwood Forest. Supporting players like Lydia Peckham as the Sheriff’s seductive and sharp-willed daughter Priscilla, Steven Waddington as the cruel Earl of Huntingdon, and Marcus Fraser as the imposing Little John round out a cast that blends seasoned veterans with fresh faces.
Created by Jonathan English and John Glenn, this 10-episode epic doesn’t shy away from grit. Filmed across expansive Serbian locations enhanced with stunning CGI, it delivers visceral battles where flaming arrows light the night sky, blood-soaked ambushes in misty forests, and tense council chambers rife with whispered plots. The series grounds itself in the historical tensions between Saxons and Normans, exploring themes of injustice, vengeance, and the birth of a legend. What starts as personal revenge evolves into a larger fight for England’s soul, with Rob assembling his band of Merry Men to strike against corruption.
Early reactions have been electric. Viewers hooked from the blood-soaked premiere praise the scale—”epic battles that rival anything in Game of Thrones“—and the depth of character work, particularly Bean’s nuanced villain. One fan raved about the “shattered alliances and power plays that keep you guessing,” while another called it “medieval drama done right: brutal, romantic, and utterly addictive.” The forbidden love between Rob and Marian provides heartbreaking emotional stakes, pushing characters to breaking points amid escalating war.
In an era craving grand historical spectacles, this Robin Hood arrives like a bolt from a longbow. It honors the folklore—robbing the rich, aiding the poor, defying tyranny—while infusing modern energy: complex antiheroes, strong female agency, and moral ambiguity that blurs lines between outlaw and oppressor. Bean’s Sheriff isn’t just hunting Robin; he’s embodying the system’s unyielding grip, making every confrontation a clash of ideologies.
As episodes unfold weekly, culminating in a finale primed for explosive showdowns, the series builds toward mythic status. Sherwood Forest becomes a battleground for loyalty and betrayal, where one man’s defiance sparks a flame that could consume the realm. With its cinematic scope, relentless pacing, and performances that burn brighter than any bonfire, this reimagining doesn’t just retell the legend—it reignites it.
Press play on this wild ride through 12th-century England, and watch as Sean Bean leads a cast that turns familiar tales into something fiercer, darker, and more unforgettable. The arrows are flying, the betrayals are cutting deep, and the Sheriff is watching. In this bold new chapter, Robin Hood isn’t just surviving—he’s ready to conquer.
