The Reinvention of Robin Hood: Realism and Politics in the New Series
Inspired by the tone of Batman Begins and rooted in twelfth-century realism, the series reimagines the Robin Hood legend as a study of survival, community, and the high cost of justice. Some legends never fade — they evolve.
From Folklore to Modern Vision
Since the fifteenth century, when A Lyttle Geste of Robyn Hode entered English folklore, the story of the outlaw who steals from the rich to help the poor has been retold countless times. In 2025, MGM+ presents a version that faces history head-on rather than romanticizing it.
Direction and Creative Vision
Robin Hood combines historical realism with psychological and political depth, presenting an origin story that feels at once medieval and undeniably contemporary. Directed by Jonathan English and created by John Glenn, the show draws clear influence from Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins.
“We’re huge fans of Nolan and Batman Begins,” Glenn said. “The way he builds a world that you truly believe exists — that’s what we wanted.”
The series delivers a grounded portrayal of a man who becomes legend — a hero shaped not by destiny but by despair and resistance.
Setting and Historical Context
Set in 1186, two decades after the Norman conquest of England, the show unfolds in a landscape divided by conquest, faith, and survival. The dispossessed Saxons struggle under foreign rule, embodying the social tensions and moral complexity that define this retelling.
Author Summary
The series revives the Robin Hood myth with historical realism and emotional depth, turning a timeless legend into a reflection on power, loss, and resilience.