DETECTIVE drama Sherwood is returning this week with a “young, queer and female” Sheriff of Nottingham, with the series creator hopeful it can modernise the position.
Long associated as Robin Hood’s nemesis, the historical role is still held by councillors today to promote the city.
Sherwood creator James Graham made the comments as the second series returns to the BBC on Sunday night.
Inspired by real events in the Nottinghamshire mining village where he grew up, it stars David Morrissey and Lesley Manville with Three Girls actress Ria Zmitrowicz joining as the Sheriff.
Mr Graham said: “Whenever I tell people we still have a Sheriff of Nottingham they don’t believe it.
“I feel like mythology and folklore was a big part of the first series, the stories that we carry forward through generations or even just the associations that we make to certain titles are so important in general.”
“In our series we have a young, queer female Sheriff of Nottingham. I just thought that felt modern and important to include that representation, and to make that character and that title fully drawn.”
After the first series dealt with the generational trauma of the miners’ strikes three decades before, the Sheriff will take on plans for a new coal mine set to bring new jobs, but will be an “unwelcome” reminder of community issues.
This is a first returning series for Graham, who previously won an Olivier award for his play Dear England and wrote Channel 4 film Brexit: The Uncivil War and ITV drama Quiz.
Ahead of the exclusive red carpet premiere in Nottingham on Monday, here’s a sneak peek at series two of Sherwood. 👀
— BBC Midlands PR (@BBCMidlandsPR) August 14, 2024
Watch the new series on BBC One and iPlayer, coming soon. #SherwoodReturns pic.twitter.com/czgaZ0Gbfk
