Jack Patten did not research Robin Hood to play hero in new series
Jack Patten did not watch any previous Robin Hood film or TV show to prepare to play the heroic outlaw in the new MGM+ series.
Jack Patten did not watch any Robin Hood films to prepare for his role as the heroic outlaw.
The 28-year-old Australian actor plays the English folklore hero in the new MGM+ series, which also stars Sean Bean as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Lauren McQueen as Marian and Marcus Fraser as Little John.
With the approval of the co-creators Jonathan English and John Glenn, Jack made the decision to not watch famous portrayals of the character because he wanted to bring a fresh approach to the character and series, which is an origins story for Robin.
Speaking at the London screening of MGM+’s Robin Hood, he said: "That was a choice Jonathan and I made together to not go back and watch Kevin Costner and Russell Crowe, and everyone that has played him.
“It was a good sort of anchor to me to relay back to the idea that he is just a man, he’s just a young 24 year old who is trying to find his way in the world. That was my process. Given that it’s an original story, too, that was the nucleus of my process; he’s just a boy who gets dealt some pretty crap cards. That was my process into it.”
Jack - who filmed the show on location in Serbia - says there are similarities between his portrayal of Robin Hood and DC Comics superhero Batman, as Robin is "just a guy" who wants to help those in trouble.
He said: "I think there are some parallels between Batman and Robin Hood, they don’t have a super power do they, they’re just guys.”
Jack also praised creators Jonathan and John for their knowledge of the folklore and the Middle Ages time period.
He said: "Jonathan and John, especially Jonathan, have such a knowledge of that stuff.
"A lot of the previous stuff that Jonathan has made is of that time. He really knows a lot about it so I think it’s going to make it very authentic which will make it great for a young audience in particular.
"Stuff set in those times is always appealing. You sit back and go, ‘I can’t believe they lived like this.’"
Jack is looking forward to shooting Robin Hood season two and getting started on some other new acting projects but before that he is ready to enjoy a well-earned rest over Christmas back home in Australia.
He said: "I've got a couple of things going on in the pipeline. Nothing is guaranteed. What is guaranteed is swimming on the beach in Australia!"
Robin Hood is available to stream on MGM+ now.
