Once Upon a Time, a popular TV series that aired on ABC from 2011 to 2018, is a fantasy show created by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. The story centers around Emma Swan, played by Jennifer Morrison, who is introduced to a town full of beloved fairytale characters.
Emma acts as a guide for the many different people and creatures she meets, each with their own unique story and personality. Throughout the series, viewers encounter characters like queens, princesses, princes, and famous villains from various fairy tales.
In Season 2 of the show, a new character enters this domain enchanted characters. Dressed in green, this character quickly makes an impact with his famous motto: “steal from the rich and give to the poor.”
This iconic character is Robin Hood. Robin Hood first appears briefly in Season 2, portrayed by actor Tom Ellis. However, when Robin Hood returns in Season 3 as a regular character, the role is recast, and Sean Maguire takes over.
Ellis’ first appearance as Robin Hood takes place in Season 2, Episode 19, titled “Lacey.” This particular episode focuses on Belle, played by Emilie de Ravin, and her relationship with the character Rumpelstiltskin, also known as Mr. Gold, portrayed by Robert Carlyle.
The episode tells the story of how Robin Hood, while living in the Enchanted Forest, attempts to break into Gold’s castle to steal a magic wand. Robin Hood hopes to use the wand to help someone he cares about.
However, when he is caught trying to steal the wand, he believes that he can outsmart Gold with his skills in archery. Gold, however, is much more cunning and quickly captures and imprisons Robin Hood.
Meanwhile, Belle, who is kind-hearted and compassionate, secretly frees Robin from his cell. When Gold finds out that Belle has released him, he forces her to help him track Robin down. They eventually find Robin, but when they do, they realize that Robin’s intentions were good. He was only trying to steal the wand to help his pregnant and sick lover.
Even though Robin Hood’s role in this episode is brief, it has a significant impact on Gold’s storyline. This moment demonstrates how much Belle’s influence has changed Gold. Rather than punish Robin Hood for his actions, Gold decides to let him go, showing that Belle has softened his heart.
Tom Ellis’ portrayal of Robin Hood is effective, bringing a sense of confidence and charm to the character. Despite Robin Hood’s desperation, Ellis manages to make the audience feel sympathy for him and understand his actions. However, despite Ellis’ success in the role, he did not return as Robin Hood in Season 3, when the character became a recurring figure in the series.
The reason for Ellis’ absence in the following season was due to scheduling conflicts. In an interview with TVLine, Adam Horowitz, one of the show’s creators, explained the situation, saying, “Although we love Tom Ellis, unfortunately, he wasn’t available.
We remain huge fans of his, but because we have an arc planned for the character, we had to move forward.” As a result, the show decided to recast the role, bringing in actor Sean Maguire to play Robin Hood. Maguire’s version of Robin Hood becomes an essential part of the series as the show continues.
While Tom Ellis was busy with other projects, including his role as Gary in the British sitcom Miranda alongside Miranda Hart, and a minor role as Detective Inspector Bland in Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Sean Maguire was quickly embraced by the fans of Once Upon a Time.
Although Ellis had done an excellent job with the character, Maguire’s portrayal brought a different quality to Robin Hood, adding depth and complexity to the character as the series progressed.
Maguire’s Robin Hood becomes more serious and rugged than Ellis’ version. He is also involved in a more complex storyline, including a dramatic love triangle between Robin Hood, his fiancée, and the show’s fierce and powerful Evil Queen, played by Lana Parrilla.
Throughout this storyline, Robin Hood remains loyal to his fiancée, even though there is undeniable chemistry between him and the Evil Queen. This tension creates additional intrigue for viewers and makes Robin Hood an even more beloved character.
When Robin Hood sacrifices his life to save the Evil Queen, his death becomes a major moment in the series. However, fans of the character were not ready to say goodbye. Due to the overwhelming love for Maguire’s portrayal of Robin Hood, he was brought back in Season 6. His return was a testament to how much fans had connected with his character and how well-suited Maguire was for the role.
As much as Tom Ellis made an impression as Robin Hood during his short appearance in Season 2, Sean Maguire’s portrayal had a lasting impact on the show. He took the character of Robin Hood and made him a central figure in the series, adding complexity to his relationships and bringing a new dimension to his personality.
Maguire’s Robin Hood was more than just a thief; he became a hero, a leader, and someone who viewers could root for throughout the show’s run. Meanwhile, Tom Ellis’ career continued to grow after Once Upon a Time.
He achieved massive success and recognition for his role as Lucifer Morningstar in the hit Netflix series Lucifer. The show’s popularity skyrocketed, and Ellis became a household name because of his charming and devilish portrayal of the character. While his time as Robin Hood was short-lived, Ellis’ career did not suffer from his absence in Once Upon a Time.
In contrast, Sean Maguire’s involvement in Once Upon a Time allowed him to showcase his talents and win over fans of the show. His version of Robin Hood became an iconic figure in the series, and his performance helped cement his place in the hearts of Once Upon a Time fans. Maguire brought a sense of seriousness, depth, and moral conflict to the role, which made his Robin Hood a character that viewers could not forget.
Both Tom Ellis and Sean Maguire made important contributions to the character of Robin Hood in Once Upon a Time. Ellis’ initial portrayal was charming and memorable, but due to scheduling conflicts, he was unable to continue in the role.
Sean Maguire’s portrayal of Robin Hood, however, left a lasting impression on the series. His performance as the brave and loyal archer, caught in a complicated love triangle, made Robin Hood one of the most beloved characters in the show’s run.
Though Ellis went on to great success with Lucifer, Maguire’s Robin Hood will always be remembered for his heroism, his courage, and his complex relationships in Once Upon a Time.
Both Tom Ellis and Sean Maguire played important roles in shaping the character of Robin Hood in Once Upon a Time. While Ellis introduced audiences to a charming and confident version of the character, it was Maguire’s portrayal that added depth and emotional complexity to Robin Hood’s journey.
Maguire’s ability to the moral gray areas of loyalty and love made his character relatable and engaging for viewers. The evolution of Robin Hood in the series reflects the show’s broader themes of redemption, love, and heroism. Ultimately, both actors contributed to a rich collection of storytelling that impressed fans throughout the show’s run.
