Lucy Griffith on Robin Hood @ The UK TV Archive

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JONAS ARMSTRONG ON ROBIN HOOD

When Lucy Griffiths found out she had landed a part in Dominic Minghella's new, action-packed version of Robin Hood, she didn't react as one might expect.

"It was weird, actually," Lucy explains to Sarah Ward. "I had seen lots of reality TV programmes, such as Pop Idol and Pop Stars and, when they find out they've won, they all scream. But I was much quieter than that. I think I was just in shock, and it wasn't until I'd spoken to my friends that I got really excited."

At the tender age of 19, Lucy is a relative newcomer to TV – having previously had minor parts in Sea Of Souls and Sugar Rush – and the part of Marian is her first major role. Beautiful, intelligent, proud and stubborn, Marian is a strong swordswoman who is cunning and loyal. But she hasn't quite forgiven Robin for leaving her to go fighting in the Holy Land and, upon his return several years later, is a little reluctant to welcome him back with open arms.

"In her opinion he treated her badly," says Lucy, who comes from the south of England. "So, when he arrives back, she's having none of it. He's constantly trying to win her over by being charming and cheeky, occasionally by being truly romantic, but mostly just acting like a teenager in the beginning stages of romance. Their relationship is later called into question and things become a bit more serious and there's a bit of an ultimatum. But, in the beginning, she's not happy with him at all."

Lucy wasn't previously familiar with the story of Robin Hood and reveals that she took her inspiration from the Disney film.

"I also saw Maid Marian And Her Merry Men when I was a kid," says Lucy. "But, apart from that, the others just passed me by. I wasn't really quite in the right age bracket!"

Dominic Minghella's version of Robin Hood doesn't quite resemble previous series, such as Robin Of Sherwood broadcast during the Eighties. Marian is now very much a modern-day Marian, and the Maid has been dropped from her name.

"Marian is not exactly a weak character; she's physically quite able, as well as verbal, and she actually goes around doing her own fighting and protects other people. She's a strong woman and, although she loves Robin Hood desperately, you get the feeling that she could live without him because she's strong enough on her own."

After dark, Marian dons a disguise and turns into the night watchman in a bid to deliver help to the poor. She receives no praise for her efforts, only the satisfaction of knowing that a good deed has been done. A mask, hood and breastplate were just some of the costumes Lucy had to wear throughout the series.

"There are a couple of dresses which are really bulky and heavy," says Lucy. "And I had to wear a really thick cloak, which didn't go down too well in the summer. But I was nice and snug when it was cold. I was expecting some real meringue numbers, but most of them have been long, elegant dresses – I've been pleasantly surprised. Although at the moment I'm wearing trousers and boots and a leather jacket."

Throughout the series a love triangle develops between Marian, Robin and Sir Guy Of Gisbourne (played by Richard Armitage). However, the choice between hero and villain is not as simple as one might think.

"The two of them sort of fight over her," says Lucy. "Guy provides security and stability, while Robin would provide the romance and love. If she was with Gisborne, she would get a house, land, security and a place in society. And if she was with Robin, she would probably be running around the forest all day with his friends, so she has to choose between the two."

In preparation for her role, Lucy, alongside other members of the cast, went on a special training course at the Hood Academy in Budapest, where the series is filmed.

"We arrived two weeks before filming started and had archery, horse-riding and sword-fighting lessons," Lucy recalls. "It was great fun! It became a very entertaining competition between the boys, though, which was fun to watch!"

Filming took place in Fot, in Hungary, and Lucy admits that being away from home for six months solid could have taken its toll had it not been for the company of her fellow cast.

"For me, the cast has made the job," Lucy says. "Having such a big group of very young, very talented and very funny people – the boys particularly – around me has just made what could potentially have been quite a difficult job to do. Obviously, you're away for six months and you can't go back home every weekend and, if you don't get on with the people you work with, it's going to be difficult. And they're all more experienced than I am, and I've learnt a lot from watching them work – which is what I was hoping for."

Having finished filming, Lucy has since seen some of the episodes and found watching herself on screen quite encouraging.

"Some people don't like it. I actually didn't like it at first, because I was freaked out by the fact you don't look anything like you think you do, and your voice doesn't sound the same, either," she laughs. "So, at first, you're quite disorientated. But I actually like watching myself back, because I learn quite a lot from it.

"If you haven't seen what you're doing on a job this long, I think you might begin to doubt what you're doing and become discouraged. Because I haven't been through any official kind of training, I'm really learning on the job, and I think it can do the world of good."

So, how did Lucy find working with her fellow cast mates for such a long period of time?

"Everyone was completely new to me. They all knew that it was in their best interests to be friendly, but I just think these people are pretty damn funky! We've got a few mutual acquaintances and I've really begun to realise just how small this acting world is. We all knew we were in it together. We were filming in Budapest for six months and knew we would have to make each other family pretty quickly."

Would she like to have lived back in medieval times alongside Robin and co?

"I think sometimes I would have liked to, but the only period which I've ever thought would have been nice to be around in is the Thirties to the Fifties. I haven't really thought about being alive in medieval times. I guess you would have been pretty fit, but I think that's one of the only benefits."

Meanwhile, if Lucy had the chance to meet the real-life Marian, what would she say to her?

"Nice one – keep it up!" she laughs.

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