Throng

Jonas Armstrong’s departure from Robin Hood has been public knowledge for several months and while the BBC have refused to comment on the shows future, three contenders have come forward to replace the actor as the focus of the show.

While Robin is likely to die at the end of the third series, it’s possible the BBC will continue the show with a new lead actor in much the way the classic 1980s ITV series Robin of Sherwood overcame the death of commoner Robin (Michael Praed) with the introduction of gentry Robin (Jason Connery).

So who are the contenders?

1.    Most obvious by far is Robin and Gisbourne’s shared half brother Archer, played by Clive Standen. Initially a mercenary loner, he was impressed enough with Tuck, John and Kate’s show of defiance against Sherrif Lady Gisbourne in episode 12 to swap sides and join the struggle against Prince John toadying and tyranny in Nottingham.

The adventures of the legendary outlaw have gone largely unnoticed in the press this year, but it has been a solid third run that has seen a lot of changing loyalties, new friendships and new characters.

With the series finale due this week, the future is looking bleak for Robin (Jonas Armstrong) and his friends, his half brother Archer (Clive Standen) and even Guy of Gisbourne (Richard Armitage) who like Robin has been forced to examine his motivations and loyalty.

Trapped at the dramatic cliffhanger to episode behind the city walls of Nottingham as former Sheriff Vasey (Keith Allen) approached with a fearsome army boasting new weapons from the orient, it looks as if this could be the end of Robin and his battle to keep King Richard on the throne and England free from tyranny.

Robin Hood arrows in for a second series, starting soon on BBC One. Made by Tiger Aspect Productions, the drama proved a huge hit with viewers last year.

Starring Jonas Armstrong, Lucy Griffiths, Keith Allen and Richard Armitage, the show struck a chord with family audiences and, in one of the most competitive slots on TV, gained average ratings of seven million for the first seven episodes in 2006.

The critics also lined up to praise the series. The Daily Mail called it "rip-roaring, great entertainment for all the family", the Daily Mirror commented that "the Beeb spoil us with yet another fab adaptation of an old classic", the Times opined that "new Robin rules the Hood", while Chris Moyles on BBC Radio 1 said simply that the series was "absolutely brilliant".

Once again written by co-creator and executive producer Dominic Minghella, the 13-part series features an outstanding, magnetic cast.

The drama centres on the charismatic Robin Hood (Jonas Armstrong), who leads his gang of outlaws in Sherwood Forest. Using outrageous scams, disguises, tricks, ingenuity, breathtaking archery and swordplay, the band of brothers attempt to outwit the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (Keith Allen) and his sadistic lieutenant Guy of Gisborne (Richard Armitage).

So, it appears that the BBC are indeed producing a second series of the ever imaginative new adaptation of Robing Hood. The first one was really popular, however, I had my problems with it, so what better way to encourage them to up there game than rant in the BBC inbox.

Dear BBC,

For the past few months your prime Saturday evening slot has been taken over by the latest adaptation of that classic British tale that is Robin Hood, with some pouty young chap running around in Leather pants and not quite saving the day. I have to applaud the idea, it's high time there was some good family entertainment on a Saturday evening and Robin Hood is the perfect type of story to make a series.

Now, I'll be honest, after the first couple of episodes, I lost interest, in fact, interest is probably too strong a word for what I had, let's go for, curiosity. However, I have caught small parts of some episodes since, and I have to say, my impressions went from bad to worse as I found out that the new Robin is nothing short of a wimp that's afraid to kill people. Now, it's a family show, so I know we don't want gore, but shooting people with a long bow was just what Robin Hood did, who are we to mess with seven centuries of folklore? Robin Hood was an outlaw, and a former Crusader, at which point did we decide he'd not kill the bad guys, and as he won't why does he have that ruddy great bow?