Sherwood (2019 TV series)

Sherwood is a computer animated science fiction streaming 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 impoverished 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
Genre
Created by
  • Diana Manson
  • Megan Laughton
Developed byJustin Trefgarne
Voices of
Composers
Country of origin
  • United States
  • Ireland
  • New Zealand
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producer
  • Nanette Miles
EditorMatt Tate
Running time21-22 minutes
Production companies
  • Giant Animation
  • Toybox Animation
  • Baby Octopus
  • YouTube Originals
Release
Original networkYouTube Originals
Original releaseMarch 6, 2019 (2019-03-06)

The show had a world premiere in Sydney, Australia, in March 2019.[5] In April 2020, Sherwood[6] was one of the originals that Google decided to make freely available in light of the pandemic.[7] Even though the show's season one episodes aired in March 2019, official accounts on Twitter and Instagram regularly post content about the show.[lower-alpha 1]

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]

Characters

Main
  • Robin Loxley (voiced by Anya Chalotra[8][9][2]) is the main protagonist of the series. She often has to fight and steal from the Sheriff of Nottingham, to protect Sherwood. She is called "Insurgent Hood" by the Sheriff and his allies, also once takes the alias of "Marian Johns."
  • Iniko (voiced by Tyler Posey[10]) is one of the main protagonists, the pilot of the submarine Amphy, and a self proclaimed Sea Pirate.
  • Gisbourne (voiced by Aneurin Barnard[11]) is the son of the Sheriff of Nottingham and is the Head of Security of the Regime. He often commands the Drobos and attempts to catch the Insurgents.
  • Sheriff Nottingham (voiced by Joseph Fiennes[2]) is the main antagonist of the Sherwood series and rules the Upper City. He is the head of the Regime, with Gisbourne as his Head of Security (and son).

Supporting
  • Tui (voiced by Rachel House[12]) is like a mother to Robin, and helps her around the Kelp Farm.
  • Gripper (voiced by Adetokumboh M'Cormack[13]) is part of Robin's crew and acts like a father to Juba.
  • Rose Trefgarne (voiced by Jamie Chung[14]) is a protagonist, often helping out the main cast. Formerly a resident of The Upper City, she now resides in Sherwood.
  • Thomas Loxley (voiced by Darrill Rosen[15]) is a scientist and inventor, and is the father of Robin Loxley.
  • Juba (voiced by Neneh Conteh[16]) is a small girl with dark skin and light blonde hair like Gripper and who is a refugee before she came to Sherwood.

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] Trefgarne, in a August 2018 post on his website, noted that he was commissioned to write the pilot script in 2016, with YouTube ordering nine additional episodes in January 2017, and continued production, with an original release date in November 2018. He also stated that the series is "inspired by the classic Manga Akira,"[17] a Japanese cyberpunk manga series set in a post-apocalyptic and futuristic Neo-Tokyo, more than two decades after a mysterious explosion destroyed the city.

In February 2019, a number of behind-the-scenes specials were released about the show. In the first one, on February 22, director Bruce Carter talked about the setting of the show in a futuristic London, which those in this story call "Sherwood," with the story based around Robin and her "merry band" of followers.[18] In the same special, executive producer Nanette Miles said that the show would inspire "lots of young girls," production designer Daniel McKay called Robin a "tinkerer" who can easily adapt technology, and production coordinator Freya Walker Smith called her a "cool girl" who fights for herself and a "powerful heroine who can code." In the second special, on February 26, music producers Jacob Yoffee and Roahn Hylton said they wanted to make the audience pay attention and listen to what is going on in the story, trying to make the world larger and feel more realistic. Yoffee also said that Bruce Carter, wanted a futuristic sound, with world music "more infused" into the mainstream and said they worked with Mickey Shiloh, on all the songs.[19] Hylton also described Robin as a hero "everyone can get behind," with her theme having a "superhero element" to it, plus a "bit of sadness" because she is searching "for her identity." In the last special, on February 28, Anya Chalotra, who voices Robin, said that if she was 14, Robin would be her friend and would inspire (and empower) her.[20] Chalotra further called Robin self-sufficient and dedicated to "making the world a better place" which is more equal, talked about the challenge of playing such a "complex character" and stated she "sets an amazing example of a young leader." At the same time, Erin Rainaldi, a software engineer from Verily who works on the show, said that it's important to show that women and girls are just as good at "technology and tinkering" than boys, saying it sets an example for young girls, and Jamie Chung, who voices Rose, called Robin fun and a rebel, hoping the show does the same in speaking to young girls. Bernadette Carter, a software engineer from Google called Robin a "strong female lead," not letting others tell her what to do, while balancing it with compassion for others, and is determined and dedicated to her goals.

Episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedCumulative views (millions)
First airedLast aired
Season 110March 26, 2019 (2019-03-26)26

Season 1 (2019)
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"The Future Robin Hood"Bruce CarterJustin TrefgarneMarch 6, 2019 (2019-03-06)
In a 23rd-century flooded city, a teenager named Robin recognizes her path forward, different than anything she ever thought, when she puts on a gauntlet once owned by her father.
2"Robin Gives to the Poor"Bruce CarterJustin Trefgarne & Robby HoffmanMarch 6, 2019 (2019-03-06)
Robin and her fellow vigilantes have a goal: protecting a crucial new source of nourishment from Sheriff Nottingham and his minions, the drobos.
3"Robin Dives Deep"Bruce CarterJustin Trefgarne & Robby HoffmanMarch 6, 2019 (2019-03-06)
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 CarterJustin Trefgarne & Craig MartinMarch 6, 2019 (2019-03-06)
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 CarterJustin TrefgarneMarch 6, 2019 (2019-03-06)
A strange machine from the Upper City is poisoning Sherwood's freshwater supply. What will Robin and her comrades do?
6"Robin Lost at Sea"Bruce CarterJustin TrefgarneMarch 6, 2019 (2019-03-06)
Iniko and Robin work together to fix his submarine, stranded in the ocean, before they meet certain doom.
7"Robin Under Siege"Bruce CarterJustin Trefgarne & Craig MartinMarch 6, 2019 (2019-03-06)
In a bold move, Nottingham launches a large-scale raid against those living in the Lower City, putting everyone in jeopardy.
8"Robin Meets Her Maker"Bruce CarterJustin Trefgarne & Mike LewMarch 6, 2019 (2019-03-06)
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 CarterJustin Trefgarne & Craig MartinMarch 6, 2019 (2019-03-06)
After the attack in the previous episode, Sea Croppers try to bounce back, as a mysterious person helps them, someone who Robin and her friends do not expect to see...
10"Robin Rises"Bruce CarterJustin TrefgarneMarch 6, 2019 (2019-03-06)
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.[21] Alexis Gunderson of Paste Magazine listed it as one of the 13 Best Original TV Shows on YouTube Premium in 2019.[22] 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. Apart from this, in the show's first week on YouTube, the show's first episode garnered seven million views, something which series writer and developer Justin Trefgarne said he was delighted by.[23]

Notes
  1. The Twitter and Instagram accounts post content simulanteously.

References
  1. 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.
  2. Wolfe, Jennifer (February 28, 2019). "TRAILER: YouTube Unveils 'Sherwood' Voice Cast". Animation World Network. Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  3. Milligan, Mercedes (February 28, 2019). "YouTube Casts Cyberpunk Robin Hood Toon 'Sherwood'". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on August 3, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  4. "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.
  5. 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.
  6. "Sherwood : Season 1 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  7. Franks, Nico (April 10, 2020). "YouTube brings down paywall". C21Media. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  8. Grant, Charles (September 28, 2020). "Stars of Tomorrow 2020: Anya Chalotra (actor)". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  9. "Anya Chalotra". The Artists Partnership. Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021. Please take a look at the trailer for YouTube's children's animation series SHERWOOD below in which she voiced the lead, Robin.
  10. Lind-Westbrook, Jennifer (August 2, 2020). "What Tyler Posey Has Done Since Teen Wolf". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  11. Barnard, Aneurin [@aneurinbarnard] (February 7, 2019). "I had an amazing time working on the new animated series Sherwood. Check out the full trailer here and don't forget to tune in on 3/6 only on @YouTube. #Sherwood @TheAPartnership @TapVoices" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2022 – via Twitter.
  12. Gallup, Jasmine (December 25, 2020). "Soul Cast & Character Guide: What The Voice Actors Look Like". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on December 26, 2020.
  13. M'Cormack, Adetokumboh [@Adetokumboh] (April 9, 2020). "Throwback to this fun moment on @SherwoodSeries! Thx to everyone who tuned in - Episode 1 has 22 million views and counting! You can now stream the rest of the episodes for free on @youtube Originals! #behindthescenes @ZevLerner #SherwoodSeries #scifi #youtube #tbt #bts" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 10, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2022 – via Twitter.
  14. "Jamie Chung". United Talent Agency. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  15. "Giant Animation: YouTube Casts Cyberpunk Robin Hood Toon 'Sherwood'". Animation Ireland. December 1, 2019. Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  16. Pena, Jessica (March 2019). "Sherwood: YouTube Announces Cast for Animated Robin Hood Series (Video)". TV Series Finale. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  17. Trefgarne, Justin (August 2018). "YouTube Red". Justin Trefgarne's Official website. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  18. Carter, Bruce; Miles, Nanette; McKay, Daniel; Smith, Freya Walker (February 22, 2019). "Fighting for the future - Sherwood". YouTube Originals. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  19. Yoffee, Jacob; Hylton, Roahn (February 26, 2019). "Using music to bring Sherwood to life". YouTube Originals. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  20. Chalotra, Anya; Rainadi, Roahn; Chung, Jamie (February 28, 2019). "Powerful women saving future London - Sherwood". YouTube Originals. Archived from the original on October 16, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  21. "Sherwood TV Review". Common Sense Media. Common Sense Media. 2019. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  22. 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.
  23. Whitfield, David (March 18, 2019). "First episode of new Robin Hood animated series gets seven million views in single week". Nottingham Post. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
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