Has the new Robin Hood gone “woke”? A Robin Hood expert weighs in on the debate

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MGM+’s new Robin Hood series has faced a lot of criticism from viewers, particularly regarding its historical inaccuracies. As expected, some viewers have also accused the show of being overly focused on modern social issues.

Others, at the same time, are enjoying its modern updating and creative invention.

Both sides have a point.

Some viewers feel the show takes too many liberties with historical accuracy, pointing out modern elements that don’t fit the medieval setting.

The story now includes a detail that Robin Hood’s friend, Little John, is a Black man with dreadlocks. However, this is highly unlikely to be historically accurate for England in the late 1100s.

If Little John had been African, history would likely look very different. Instead of being known for the Robin Hood story, we’d probably be telling the legend of Little John – it would be that remarkable. We’d see movies and TV shows about him instead of Robin Hood, and he’d likely be as famous as Joan of Arc, a major figure from the Middle Ages. It’s hard to imagine such a strong character not achieving that level of renown.

In the oldest versions of the Robin Hood story, Little John isn’t just a sidekick – he’s a major hero, appearing in every ballad and tale of the legend. Records from Scotland dating back to the early 1400s also show him as a well-known companion of Robin Hood.

It’s not surprising that there’s no mention of his race anywhere in the stories. If Little John had been a person of color in 12th-century England, it would have been a very unusual situation and writers would almost certainly have noted it.

The new Robin Hood series takes liberties with history by portraying the English, referred to as “Saxons” in the show, as followers of a goddess named Godda. This is inaccurate, as England had already been a Christian nation for around 500 years during the time period depicted.

Although remnants of older, traditional beliefs likely persisted, English rulers would have actively suppressed and eliminated them before the Normans came to power. The program portrays the Normans as the primary antagonists in this historical context.

Among Robin Hood’s Merry Men is a new character: the Miller’s Daughter, who initially disguises herself as a man – a reimagining of the traditional character, Much the Miller’s Son. Although no previous Robin Hood stories feature a woman in the group, historical records show women were indeed involved in criminal activity, making this addition believable.

Some critics argue that adding these elements to the story distorts historical accuracy, seemingly done to make it appeal to modern audiences and reflect today’s diverse society, where very few people regularly go to church.

So, historically speaking, how can people readily accept changes made to a story while still being perfectly justified in their own interpretations of it?

Although evidence exists regarding the historical context and support from medieval writers, the very first stories about Robin Hood probably aren’t based on real events.

This is because the story of Robin Hood was, from the start, designed as entertainment.

People have always loved escaping into thrilling stories about heroes and adventure. This was true for medieval audiences just as it is today. Popular medieval tales of outlaws – like the stories of Robin Hood – often featured exciting violence, satisfying revenge, and playful humor, all usually ending with the hero winning and fairness being restored.

The stories of Robin Hood were already quite old by the late 1400s – the legend had likely been around for at least two hundred years before the earliest written versions appeared. It’s hard to say exactly how much the story had changed over that time, but it’s interesting to note that characters like Maid Marian and Friar Tuck weren’t part of the original tales; they were added later on.

As a lifelong movie fan, I’ve always been fascinated by how certain stories just keep getting retold. The legend of Robin Hood is a perfect example – it’s endured for centuries because it’s incredibly flexible. Filmmakers have always found ways to make it relevant to different audiences, no matter the era. For instance, back in the late 1590s, during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, they actually nobled Robin Hood, turning him into the Earl of Huntingdon! It was a clever move to make him a hero that the upper classes could really get behind.

By the 1900s, the legend of Robin had evolved, appearing in new ways like a hero fighting against communism during the Cold War and as the DC Comics character Green Arrow, who first appeared in the 1940s.

As a film buff, it’s fascinating to see how these classic characters keep getting reimagined for new audiences. Looking at the 21st century, Green Arrow really evolved in the Arrow series – it wasn’t just about fighting crime, but tackling the issues of corporate greed and terrorism in a world still reeling from 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis. And then you have the 2018 Robin Hood movie, where he’s positioned as an early environmental activist. Now, with the newest series, they’re giving Robin Hood and his crew – a more inclusive ‘Merry Men and Women’ – yet another fresh take on the legend.

Robin Hood’s story is full of interesting historical hints, but he’s always been a character that easily changes and fits into different stories and cultures. That’s still true today.

Robin Hood is streaming now on MGM+.

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2025-11-25 17:05