Connery takes over as Robin Hood

Press, 25 July 1985, Page 11

Connery takes over as Robin Hood

The hooded figure that appeared in Monday’s episode of “Robin of Sherwood” may have been Robin reincarnated after all. Jason Connery (son of Sean Connery) will take over the role from Michael Praed in a new series. To prepare for what was regarded as the most coveted television role of the year, Connery spent weeks working with stuntmen learning the arts of sword fighting, archery, and quar-ter-staff combat. When he becomes Robin Hood he will play him as a dashing, young aristocrat in the Errol Flynn mould. He says, however, that he is unable to comment on how he compares with Michael Praed. “It’s like asking Dad to comment on Roger Moore’s James Bond.” Poised on the brink of international stardom, Connery is delighted that his famous father is pleased as well. When he was awarded the role of Robin Hood his father’s reaction was predictable, he says. “He just said: ‘Oh, well done. Good show.’ And he hasn’t mentioned it since. But I know that he’s pleased, especially that I got the part through my own abilities and efforts. “When I was young I admired him enormously — and still do — and desperately wanted to live up to his expectations. “I think he is pleased with

what I am doing, and I know he rings up my agent behind my back and asks if I’m working hard and being professional.” Even before “Robin of Sherwood,” the young Connery had already built up an impressive list of professional credits. He had a successful role in “Dr Who” and his films include “The Lords of Discipline,” “Dream One” and “The Boy Who Had Everything.” “I made that in Australia and my mother, Diane Cilento, played my mother on the screen, too. “In many ways, it was probably my most important film so far because I have the leading role. I remember asking Dad round to my flat to see a video of the film. But when he sat down to watch it I

became so nervous that I went off to my bedroom until it was over. “I didn’t know what his reaction would be, but afterwards he came up to me and said: ‘You were very good, son. That was good stuff.’ ” Recently, he became eligible for the trust fund which his father set up on his behalf shortly after he was born. “There’s probably more than enough money there for me to live very comfortably off the interest it earns. I possibly wouldn’t ever have to work again. But I expect to leave the trust fund for my own children to inherit. I’m pretty certain that Dad would not expect me to use the money anyway, unless I really needed to. I’m determined to prove myself, as he has done.” Features International