Sherwood (TV series)
Sherwood is an American computer animated science fiction web television series created by Diana Manson and Megan Laughton that premiered on March 6, 2019, on YouTube Premium. It is a new telling of the Robin Hood legend.[1][2] Some reviewers have noted the focus on socioeconomic class, as Robin lives among "the improverished 99%," leading rebels who will overthrow the Sheriff, who lives in an Upper City housing "the wealthy citizens of Sherwood."[1] Others also noted the focus on class difference,[3][4] with Robin and her comrades trying to "overcome inequality and fight for justice."[2] Apart from this, others said the series has a cyberpunk feeling to it.[3]
Sherwood | |
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Genre | |
Created by |
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Developed by | Justin Trefgarne |
Voices of | |
Composer(s) |
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Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 10 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) |
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Editor(s) | Matt Tate |
Running time | 21-22 minutes |
Production company(s) |
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Release | |
Original network | YouTube Premium |
Original release | March 6, 2019 |
External links | |
Official YouTube Channel |
The show had a world premiere in Sydney, Australia, in March 2019.[5]
Premise
In the year 2270, in the dystopic 23rd Century, 14 year old hacker Robin Loxley and her friends battle the Sheriff of Nottingham in a Britain devastated by environmental disaster.[1][3]
Cast and characters
- Anya Chalotra as Robin Loxley
- Tyler Posey as Iniko
- Aneurin Barnard as Gisbourne
- Jamie Chung as Rose Trefgarne
- Rachel House as Tui
- Adetokumboh M'Cormack as Gripper
- Joseph Fiennes as Sheriff Nottingham
- Darrill Rosen as Thomas Loxley
- Neneh Conteh as Juba
Production
The idea for the series was originally posed by Diana Manson and Megan Laughton, of a New York company named Baby Octopus, in 2016, to Justin Trefgarne.[1] Additionally, the show is, according to Trefgarne, aimed at "the pre-teen market," and is focused "on positive female empowerment." The production company, Baby Octopus, worked with the Computer Science in Media team of Google to help imagine "world of the future and what it meant for design, travel, technology and society," and to inspire "young women and girls on their role in technology of the future."[2][3]
Episodes
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
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1 | "The Future Robin Hood" | Bruce Carter | Justin Trefgarne | March 6, 2019 | |
In a flooded city in the 23rd city, a young woman named Robin rebels, recognizing her path forward, different than anything she every thought when she puts on a glove once owned by her father. | |||||
2 | "Robin Gives to the Poor" | Bruce Carter | Justin Trefgarne & Robby Hoffman | March 6, 2019 | |
Robin and her fellow vigilantes have a goal: protecting a crucial new source of nourishment from Nottingham and fellow evildoers. | |||||
3 | "Robin Dives Deep" | Bruce Carter | Justin Trefgarne & Robby Hoffman | March 6, 2019 | |
After they are trapped under the sea, Robin and her newfound friends learn the reality about what happened in the past to their home. | |||||
4 | "Robin Picks a Fight" | Bruce Carter | Justin Trefgarne & Craig Martin | March 6, 2019 | |
Attempting to ensnare Robin, the Sheriff hosts a fighting contest. Will she go for the bait, or stay away? | |||||
5 | "Robin Breaks the Code" | Bruce Carter | Justin Trefgarne | March 6, 2019 | |
The forces of evil are attempting to poison Sherwood's freshwater. What will Robin and her comrades do? | |||||
6 | "Robin Lost at Sea" | Bruce Carter | Justin Trefgarne | March 6, 2019 | |
Iniko and Robin work together to fix his submarine, stranded in the ocean, before the murderous squid robots kill them all. | |||||
7 | "Robin Under Siege" | Bruce Carter | Justin Trefgarne & Craig Martin | March 6, 2019 | |
In a bold move, Nottingham launches a large attack against those living in the Lower City, putting everyone in jeopardy. | |||||
8 | "Robin Meets Her Maker" | Bruce Carter | Justin Trefgarne & Mike Lew | March 6, 2019 | |
Robin talks to her father face-to-face in their first interaction ever. Evil remains, with Nottingham determined to eliminate her as a threat once and for all... | |||||
9 | "Robin Rebuilds" | Bruce Carter | Justin Trefgarne & Craig Martin | March 6, 2019 | |
After the attack in the previous episode, Sea Croppers try to bound back, as a mysterious person helps them, someone who Robin and her friends do not expect to see... | |||||
10 | "Robin Rises" | Bruce Carter | Justin Trefgarne | March 6, 2019 | |
After Gisbourne causes a self-destruct sequence to begin, affecting the Upper City, Robin has the horrifying realization: only she can stop it. |
Reception
Common Sense Media, a family-friendly media review site, gave the series an aggregate of three stars, stating its themes made it suitable for older viewers.[6] Alexis Gunderson of Paste Magazine listed it as one of the 13 Best Original TV Shows on YouTube Premium in 2019.[7] Gunderson said that while it may look similar to Star Wars: The Clone Wars, it is an original, with visually layered scenes and set in a "distressing believable" dystopia, while saying she appreciates it for its own merits, calling it a compelling family-friendly animation.
References
- Bruni, Giuseppe (March 14, 2019). "Discovering new YouTube animated series Sherwood with Justin Trefgarne". MetFilm School London. MetFilm. Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- Wolfe, Jennifer (February 28, 2019). "TRAILER: YouTube Unveils 'Sherwood' Voice Cast". Animation World Network. AWN, Inc. Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- Milligan, Mercedes (February 28, 2019). "YouTube Casts Cyberpunk Robin Hood Toon 'Sherwood'". Animation Magazine. Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on August 3, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- "New Irish Made Animated Series 'Sherwood' Launches on YouTube Kids". Irish Tech News. Infused Media Group. April 18, 2020. Archived from the original on April 27, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- Zylstra, Nadine (March 7, 2019). "YouTube Originals premieres SHERWOOD and introduces a legend to a new generation". Google Australia. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on May 12, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- "Sherwood TV Review". Common Sense Media. Common Sense Media. 2019. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
- Gunderson, Alexis (August 29, 2019). "The 13 Best Original TV Shows on YouTube Premium, Ranked". Paste Magazine. Paste Media Group. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.