Iconic BBC children’s show ‘in the process’ of reboot series – nearly 30 years after it was axed

An iconic BBC children’s show returns to TV after nearly 30 years.

Sir Tony Robinson is working on a reboot of his award-winning children’s comedy, Maid Marian And Her Merry Men.

The BBC show, which first aired in 1989, ran for four series until 1994.

But after selling the ‘rights’ to the BBC show, Tony has revealed that they are now ‘in the process’ of making a reboot for television.

He told The sun: ‘A company I worked with before bought the rights to Maid Marian And Her Merry Men from me.

“We’re making a version of the original for television.”

The show was a partially musical comedic retelling of the Robin Hood legend, putting Maid Marian in the role of leader of the Merry Men and relegating Robin to an incompetent ex-tailor.

It was a huge success, winning a Bafta, RTS gong and the Prix Jeunesse Variety Award at the International Children’s Program Festival in Munich.

The original series starred Kate Lonergan as the Brave Leader and Adam Morris as Robin.

A TV source also told The Sun: ‘In the 1980s, retelling a fable with a female lead felt progressive, but these days it’s all the rage. There are no worries about how a reboot would land with modern audiences.

“It’s still early days, but everyone is confident that there are some channels willing to buy the show.”

Tony first came up with the idea for Maid Marian And Her Merry Men when he saw his 10-year-old daughter playing football in her school’s playground.

He said at the time: ‘She was small but she bossed the boys around and criticized them when they played a bad pass.

“I immediately wondered what would have happened if she had been one of Robin Hood’s Merry Men. I suspect she would have been running the venture rather than just being one of the gang.

“That led to the idea of ​​a group of Merry Men led by a woman, with Robin Hood relegated to the role of the group’s tailor.”

It comes after Sir Tony recently reprized his role as Blackadder dogsbody character Baldrick for Comic Relief.

The programme, which ran from 1983 to 1989, also starred Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson and has had several specials over the years, and on Friday 17 March this year Sir Tony will read a bedtime story based on on the popular historical comedy show.

The actor, 76, revealed that Richard Curtis sent him the script with no explanation, so he started reading it to his wife Louise Hobbs.

He tolerated The mirror: ‘The first time I heard it was when I actually told it as a story.

“We just both thought it was hysterically funny. As soon as I started reading, the character came back. It was amazing. There was only one way to play it and that’s always been the way in Richard’s head.

“I think it is very important that we all understand what is happening in the world. Every time I get summoned by Comic Relief, I come running.”

Richard confirmed that Blackadder will return for Comic Relief in February.

Sir Tony reprized his role as Baldrick, the servant of Rowan Atkinson’s character Edmund Blackadder.

Speaking to Gary Davies on BBC Radio 2, Richard said ahead of the special: ‘For the first time in 20 years, Baldrick is going to be performing.

“We’re just conspiring about it right now, so I think something great is going to happen, turnip-based, now that Tony Robinson is back in action, so I’m excited about that.”

But Rowan didn’t return for the special.

Asked if the actor will star in the Comic Relief special, Richard added at the time: ‘No [laughs]. Rowan is way too serious to do all that.’

Blackadder originally ran for four series and two specials from 1983 to 1989, with another special Blackadder: Back and Forth airing in 1999.

Each series of Blackadder covered a different period of history, including the Middle Ages, Elizabethan England, the Georgian era and a series of episodes focusing on the trenches during the First World War.

Ben Elton co-wrote series two, three and four with Richard, but admitted last year he had lost his appetite for more seasons of the show.

Asked if he could reunite with Richard for another series, he told the Radio Times: ‘We were a great team and I’ve talked about doing something different so many times. Not Blackadder again, I don’t think either of us feel like doing that.’

However, Sir Tony insists it wouldn’t be possible to bring back a full run of the sitcom because “people wouldn’t be in the same headspace they were when they saw the original,” with the star adding, “We could don’t make it again.’

In 2018, Sir Tony admitted he could see “a version” of the program returning.

He said at the time, “I do see a version of the show coming back. There are plenty of other periods in history that could be turned into a six-part Blackadder series. We should get the old group back together.

“I know everyone is busy doing great things, but we all have great memories, so I’m sure we could work it out.”