Robin Hood Returns to BBC America

Robin Hood's third season debuts September 12 on BBC America

After I sprained my neck in November 2007, I spent a lot of time on the couch and in bed waiting for my muscles to CHILL OUT ALREADY so I could get back to normal. It’s been nearly two years and I’m still not entirely back to normal, but during those 6 weeks I spent in a reclining position, I was introduced to some television I probably wouldn’t have watched otherwise. Let me tell you, the holiday season is NOT the time to be stuck on the couch with limited cable. I learned a lot about football over that Thanksgiving weekend. I’m just sayin’. Fortunately, I was a beta tester for Hulu at the time, and Netflix had a 1-day turnaround in my area. I also had friends who – ahem – uploaded things for me to watch. That’s when I finally started watching Australian-import McLeod’s Daughters, which I’ve mentioned before, and the BBC’s new version of Robin Hood.

I’ve finished all eight seasons of the Australian women running the family ranch, but Robin Hood is just now airing its third season here in the States and, thanks to my DirecTV package that includes BBC America, I’m eager to see what’s to come. You see, the end of the second season featured an incredibly bold, controversial event, leaving the Robin Hood myth in tatters and many wondering if another season could be filmed at all. (If you haven’t seen the first two seasons, they are available for streaming on TVGuide.com or purchase at Amazon.)

Richard Armitage as Sir Guy of Gisborne

After a rather campy first season and a deeper but still fun second season, the third season starts in a dark place for our hero, played by Jonas Armstrong. His boyish charm and confidence have deserted him, leaving a shell of the leader that he once was. Meanwhile, the Sheriff of Nottingham (played with delicious glee by Keith Allan) is still scheming his dastardly schemes, assisted by brooding henchman Sir Guy of Gisborne (an altogether different kind of delicious Richard Armitage). Robin’s band of not-that-merry men are finally joined by Brother Tuck (David Harewood) who is nothing like the rotund, jolly Friar Tuck of legend. Much (Sam Troughton), Little John (Gordon Kennedy) and Alan A Dale (Joe Armstrong) return to fight alongside Robin, if he’ll take up the leadership role again. (Odds of that happening? Well, this is a 13-episode season and the good people of Nottingham are still being oppressed, so I’d say they’re pretty good.) I just hope the personal demons are dealt with quickly and the series returns to the realm of action, charm, and tongue-in-cheekery of the really stellar second season. Or at the very least, give us plenty of Sir Guy barely repressing his emotions.

This version of Robin Hood is a more modern take than many I’ve seen, providing parallels to issues in contemporary society set during the 12th century. Season one brought us the traditional rich vs. poor tale with a healthy dose of humor, season two dug deeper with attention to persecution and discrimination, and season three appears to be an examination of the dangers of “homeland security” in action. The series takes several liberties with the legend, most of them for the better, but just in case you haven’t seen previous seasons yet, I shan’t spoil them for you. Just remember: British TV does not adhere to traditional rules of American TV. Be prepared for a few jaw-droppers.

Robin Hood‘s third season has already aired in the UK, so if you want spoilers, they’re out there. In the meantime, you can watch along with this Nice Girl every Saturday at 9/8c on BBC America as the legend unfolds in a new direction.