Sherwood fans left fuming as they brand new series of BBC drama with ‘young, queer and female’ Sheriff of Nottingham ‘woke drivel’ – after original outing won critical acclaim
As a devoted follower, I must express my personal disappointment upon finding the second series of the drama unsatisfactory when it resumed on BBC1 last Sunday evening.
The thriller, derived from real-life incidents, delves into the consequences of a series of murders set in Nottinghamshire, a region still grappling with the repercussions of the miner’s strike.
Although the original cast, featuring David Morrissey and Leslie Manville, returned, and the previous series was praised as ‘as compelling as Broadchurch’, some critics panned it as ‘overly politically correct content’.
In an interview, show creator James Graham expressed his intention that by choosing the actress Ria Zmitrowicz, who is young, queer, and female, to play the Sheriff of Nottingham for season two, he aimed to bring a fresh, contemporary perspective to this traditional role.
Speaking candidly as a lifestyle enthusiast, I must admit that the first series was quite engaging. However, the current one seems to be penned by a creative team with a tendency towards BBC’s progressive, contemporary narrative style. Unfortunately, this has resulted in characters that feel overly stereotypical and clichéd. I truly hope it improves because, as of now, it’s falling short. Instead of focusing excessively on diversity categories, I encourage the BBC to prioritize strong acting and compelling scripts.
‘That’s it!!! Had enough of this woke drivel… how much more sh**e can the BBC squeeze into the slot… boring as f**** to boot!!’: ‘What is this? The Godfather? Sherwood I’m losing it’: ‘I’m a bit lost to be honest, give it time’.
Creator James said he hoped it will help modernise the idea of the position of The Sheriff of Nottingham, which is a historical role that is currently held by a councillor to promote the city, has long been associated with the Robin Hood villain.
He said: ‘Whenever I tell people we still have a Sheriff of Nottingham they don’t believe it.
In the initial series, it seems that mythology and folklore played a significant role. The narratives we pass down from one generation to another, or simply the connections we form with specific titles, hold immense importance overall.
It’s clear that the initial series portrayed characters living as outlaws within Sherwood Forest, which many associate with Robin Hood. The Sheriff, a figure often recognized, comes from this same setting.
In our show, the character portraying the Sheriff of Nottingham is a youthful, gender-fluid woman. I believe it’s contemporary and significant to incorporate this representation, enriching both the character and the title with depth.
The Sheriff is expected to oppose the planned coal mine, as it promises new employment opportunities yet serves as an unwanted echo of local problems.
In June 2022, the initial season premiered on BBC One, garnering acclaim from both viewers and critics, ultimately earning a flawless rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan gave it five stars, saying: ‘Forty years of emotion and history have been transmuted, lovingly and painstakingly, into art. It’s the cleverest, most compelling and most moving thing I’ve seen in years.’
Additionally, Katie Rosseinsky from the Evening Standard praised it highly, stating: “Every member of this cast is outstanding, and even the smaller roles seem authentic, demonstrating a remarkable harmony between script and acting skills.”
And the Telegraph’s Anita Singh also handed out five out of five stars, saying: ‘It is really, really good, a show that is ostensibly a police procedural about murders in a Nottinghamshire village but turns out to be so much more: a layered exploration of community, class and enmity.’
As a devoted admirer, I’m eagerly anticipating the upcoming series that delves deeper into our shared community’s challenges. In this continuation, my favorite character, Ian St Clair (David), steps down from his role as Detective Chief Superintendent to assume leadership of the council’s Violence Intervention Team. This team serves as a bridge between essential community services, fostering connection and cooperation for the greater good.
Homeland’s David Harewood and Mr Bates Vs The Post Office star Monica Dolan are also joining the cast.
Monica portrays Ann Branson, the matriarch of a drug trafficking ring based in Ashfield, while David takes on the role of Dennis Bottomley, a character whose life is affected by the influence of narcotics.
This is a first returning series for James, who won an Olivier award for his play Dear England and wrote Channel 4 film Brexit: The Uncivil War and ITV drama Quiz.
In the next installment of Sherwood, he expresses his hope that the interest in the residents and societies behind the red wall will be further explored.
He notes: “It seems like the initial series may have suggested that some of these wounds might be connected to the past and specific to these communities. However, I believe there are broader and societal motifs running through this series, illustrating the impact on any community when it’s overlooked.”
James hopes that the ‘curiosity about the people and communities inside the red wall’ is extended in the next instalment of Sherwood.
As a fervent admirer, I believe this work delves deep into the aftermath of neglect, the brutal realities, and the troubles that may arise when one loses focus and disregards others’ well-being.
‘I think it’s a broader and wider story that extends beyond Nottingham, and I would like people to see that.’
Speaking about the show, lead star David said: ‘One of the issues that resonates a lot is around a breakdown of social services and the cracks that young people – particularly young men – can fall down. Particularly in regard to gang culture.
It seems that many of the other topics delve into the gap often seen between words and deeds, particularly regarding revitalization and financial support for local neighborhoods.
For far too long, I’ve felt deeply disillusioned by empty political pledges and shallow speech that fail to deliver on their promises, leaving people and their communities high and dry.
Sherwood’s second season will begin airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday at 9pm.
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2024-08-26 02:34