Cast of characters
AWW:
How did the character of Nasir, the Arab Merry Man, come about?
RC:
By accident. I had created a character who was an arab servant of
Belleme (the evil sorcerer in the pilot). A man he had brought back from
the Crusades which were having a huge cultural influence on Europe.
In the first episode this man attempts to kill Robin and is killed by Little
John. It was decided that Mark Ryan would survive the fight and befriend
Robin and - because he hated Belleme - would join the band - provided
he remained almost silent throughout the series.
AWW:
Why did you make Will Scarlet so angry and rebellious?
RC:
I think if you'd seen your wife raped and then trampled under the hooves
of the rapists' horses you'd be angry and rebellious.
AWW:
How did you come up with the idea of there being two Robin Hoods?
RC:
Again this was very much a question of necessity. Michael left the
show to play D’Artagnan in The Three Musketeers on Broadway and we need
a new Robin or the series would come to an end. So I revived the
sixteenth century idea that Robin Hood was the son of the Earl of Huntingdon.
And created the idea that Robin Hood was a kind of title - which it probably
was anyway.
AWW:
Could you please explain briefly how you saw all the merry men, and the
sheriff and Gisburne? (Including a comparison of the two Robins.)
RC:
Robin
- a young man who believed in freedom to take deer for food and suddenly
having his destiny thrust upon him. Aware of his extra sensory perceptions
and finally certain that what he represented was the truth.
Robert
of Huntingdon. Gets called by Herne - fights against it and then
accepts it - and of course falls in love with Marion. Despite his
privileged upbringing he has a sense of injustice.
Scarlet
- a rough ex-soldier - slightly crazy - and out for revenge.
Much
- a gentle slightly simple young lad.
Little
John absolutely loyal to Robin and a sort of early socialist.
Tuck,
devoted to Marion but believing that Jesus was right when he said ‘In my
Fathers house there are many mansions.’ Tolerant and balanced.
Nasir
- a loner but loyal. Ruthless in combat and not given to long speeches!
A Muslim and a prince in his own country.
Marion.
Gentle and deeply in love. Compassionate and loyal.
Gisburne.
A fascist. Intolerant, cruel, unimaginative and arrogant. A
soldier.
The
Sheriff. Devious, a politician. Witty, amusing and cynical.
AWW:
Why did you make Gisburne the second Robin's half-brother?
RC:
I was at a party and the only two blondes in the room were Robert Addie
and Jason Connery. I suddenly thought - those two could be brothers
and the idea was born. It helps to explain why Robin - who knows
- doesn't kill him.
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