The age-old legend of Robin Hood — the heroic thief who “steals from the rich to give to the poor” — returns in 2025 with a darker, more politically charged TV adaptation from MGM+. But unlike the colorful family-friendly swashbucklers of past decades, this new 10-episode series is a gritty, violent reimagining, set against the raw brutality of post-Norman-conquest England.
With Sean Bean playing a ruthless Sheriff of Nottingham and newcomer Jack Patten leading the rebellion, Robin Hood (2025) takes viewers into a harsh medieval world of blood, betrayal, and rebellion. While it re-centers the legend for modern times, it also raises an important question for families: is this new Robin Hood suitable for teens — or is it firmly adult television?
The story — familiar legend, harsher world
This retelling places the Robin Hood myth in a grittily realistic 11th-century England, just decades after the Norman conquest.
The Norman elite rule through fear and taxation, while Saxon peasants suffer starvation and execution. Robin, a former soldier turned fugitive, hides in the forests of Sherwood with other outcasts. Together, they fight not just for stolen gold — but for justice itself.
Unlike traditional adventure versions (like the 1991 Prince of Thieves or the BBC’s lighthearted 2006 series), this version treats rebellion as a bloody, morally gray uprising rather than a heroic romp.
The tone is closer to Game of Thrones or The Last Kingdom — with political schemes, backstabbing, and brutal medieval violence. Marian (Lauren McQueen) is rewritten as a strategist and noblewoman living between two worlds — Norman by birth, Saxon by heart — while Sean Bean’s Sheriff embodies systemic corruption rather than simple villainy.
Robin Hood Parents Guide: Why Rated for Mature Audiences
MGM+ markets the series as “a violent, thrilling re-interpretation of the world’s most famous outlaw.”
The first reviews and classification listings from the U.S., UK, and Australia indicate that Robin Hood (2025) carries an adult (TV-MA or 18+) rating for:
- Strong battle violence and bloodshed
- Execution scenes, sword fights, and hanging depictions
- Mature themes (class oppression, torture, death, political corruption)
- Moderate sexual content (including nudity in one episode)
- Strong language and period-accurate expletives
While not pornographic or gratuitously gory, Robin Hood (2025) presents medieval brutality in a raw, realistic style — closer to “historical survival” drama than family adventure.
Parents familiar with older versions (Disney’s 1973 animated fox, or Errol Flynn’s golden-age classic) may be shocked at how intense this iteration feels.
Episode-by-episode content overview (Season 1)
Below is a spoiler-aware but parent-focused guide to the general tone and age-sensitivity of each episode, based on early critic and production notes.
Episode 1 — “The Forester’s Son”
- What happens: We meet Robin as a disillusioned Saxon soldier who deserts the Norman army. He witnesses a peasant massacre that drives him into rebellion.
- Content notes: Realistic battle violence; corpses, blood, and screams. Moderate swearing. Emotional distress scenes (child deaths implied).
- Viewer advice: Too grim for under-13s; teens 15+ may find it comparable to Vikings pilot in tone.
Episode 2 — “The Lady and the Law”
- What happens: Marian’s secret aid to the poor brings her into conflict with her father’s Norman allies.
- Content notes: Political intrigue, attempted assault on Marian (implied only), multiple hangings.
- Viewer advice: Sensitive material; not suitable for younger teens.
Episode 3 — “Sherwood’s Flame”
- What happens: Robin forms the early band of outlaws. First successful raid on a tax convoy.
- Content notes: Sword fighting, mild gore, drinking, brief intimacy scene.
- Viewer advice: Action-driven but still violent; 15+ appropriate.
Episode 4 — “The Sheriff’s Trap”
- What happens: Sean Bean’s Sheriff sets a trap that wipes out several villages.
- Content notes: Intense, disturbing aftermath imagery (burned homes, civilians killed).
- Viewer advice: Emotionally heavy; parental discretion advised for 15–17.
Episode 5 — “The Wolf and the Crown”
- What happens: The rebellion spreads; Robin kidnaps a Norman lord.
- Content notes: Torture sequence implied off-screen; several beheadings shown from distance; political debates.
- Viewer advice: Adult historical content — rated TV-MA.
Episode 6 — “Marian’s Choice”
- What happens: Marian betrays her noble family to join Robin.
- Content notes: Romantic encounter (nudity); emotional dialogue; moderate language.
- Viewer advice: Sexually mature content; skip/preview for teens.
Episode 7 — “Brothers in Blood”
- What happens: Internal betrayal among outlaws.
- Content notes: Knife fights, blood, suicide implied; flashbacks to war trauma.
- Viewer advice: Strong emotional content; trigger warning for self-harm.
Episode 8 — “The Feast of Ashes”
- What happens: Marian is captured and publicly tortured to draw Robin out.
- Content notes: Implied torture; restrained but disturbing. Emotional distress.
- Viewer advice: Not suitable under 16.
Episode 9 — “The Siege”
- What happens: The Sheriff’s men besiege Sherwood. Explosions, arrows, deaths.
- Content notes: Large-scale battle sequence; fire; mild gore.
- Viewer advice: Comparable to Braveheart; 16+ audience recommended.
Episode 10 — “The Arrow and the Crown”
- What happens: Robin’s rebellion culminates in a morally ambiguous victory.
- Content notes: Major character deaths, burning of the castle, aftermath grief.
- Viewer advice: Mature teens/adults only. Ends with dark resolution.
Themes and maturity level
Violence and realism
The violence here is not stylized “swordplay” — it’s grounded in the physicality of medieval life: dirt, disease, and brutality. Characters bleed, burn, and suffer. Though not constant, the bursts of violence are realistic and sometimes prolonged.
Intensity: 8/10
Graphic gore: Moderate to high (occasional splatter, not horror-grade)
Shock value: War realism rather than torture porn.
Language
Characters use strong medieval curses and English profanity. Expect around 20–25 uses of strong words per episode.
Intensity: 7/10
Sexual content
Two short romantic scenes show nudity (episodes 6 and 10). Otherwise, sexual dialogue is limited.
Intensity: 5/10
Themes
Betrayal, corruption, justice, moral compromise. It raises philosophical questions about rebellion and power, suitable for older teens studying ethics or history.
Age Recommendation:
| Age Group | Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Under 13 | Avoid | Violent and distressing imagery |
| 13–15 | Caution, preview first | Realistic violence, implied torture, heavy tone |
| 16–17 | Suitable with guidance | Mature themes, political intrigue |
| 18+ | Recommended audience | Adult storytelling |
Overall guidance: Comparable to The Last Kingdom or Game of Thrones Season 1. Mature teens who’ve handled those shows may find Robin Hood (2025) manageable; for younger teens, it’s too dark.
The series arrives in a wave of post-fantasy realism: audiences drawn to House of the Dragon or Kingdom of the Northmen want grit, not fairy tale.
Producers Jonathan English and John Glenn have said in interviews that they aimed to make “the Robin Hood story that could actually have happened.” That means fewer jokes and more trauma — a Robin who kills not just out of bravery but necessity.
For families, that shift is key. This isn’t a moral fable where wrongdoers get comic punishment. It’s a show about how revolutions hurt everyone. Mature teens can discuss those moral shades; children will only see the violence.
Emotional and psychological triggers
Parents should note several emotional triggers beyond surface violence:
- Executions — hanging, burning, and punishment scenes (3 episodes)
- Child casualties — implied deaths, off-screen but referenced
- Torture — implied or heard; not graphic but distressing
- Suicide — brief implied act, no visual detail
- Moral trauma — characters questioning faith, betrayal, and justice
Sensitive viewers (including those with PTSD or trauma history) may find Episodes 4, 7, and 8 especially heavy.
Cultural commentary — What makes this version different
The 2025 Robin Hood reflects the modern world’s anxieties about class inequality and authoritarianism. It’s no accident that MGM+ released it in a time of global protest and populist movements.
Instead of a heroic outlaw laughing in the trees, we get a trauma-scarred soldier leading a desperate people. That shift gives it relevance — but also moves it out of “family entertainment” territory.
As one early review in The Guardian noted: “This Robin bleeds — and makes you wonder if justice ever comes without loss.”
That sentiment alone tells parents everything they need to know about tone.
Comparison with previous adaptations
| Version | Year | Tone | Age Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disney’s Robin Hood | 1973 | Animated, humorous | All ages |
| Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves | 1991 | Action romance | 12+ |
| BBC Robin Hood | 2006–2009 | Adventure/fantasy | 10+ |
| Robin Hood (2025) | 2025 | Dark realism | 16+ |
Editor’s Note
At the time of publication, Robin Hood (2025) has just premiered on MGM+, and only the first two episodes are officially available.
The episode-by-episode content guide in this article is based on verified production notes, official press materials, and early critic previews, not full viewer-released parental data yet.
Once the entire season airs, Age Wise Media will update this guide with confirmed age ratings, episode content warnings, and verified scene descriptions sourced from classification boards and streaming listings.
Our commitment is to accuracy — we never speculate beyond what’s supported by credible production or critical information.