Board Thread:Spoilers!/@comment-24386552-20140609002306/@comment-6175354-20140622021956

Rena Charming wrote: I do agree that Sean Maguire is perfect in the role. I had no problem with the original actor, but I preferred Sean from his very first appearance right away in 3.01. Funner, somehow. But yeah, I was sort of shocked that they went with someone who looked nothing like the original. :P I am also surprised that they cast someone in the first place who couldn't commit to the following season when they must have known by then how important Robin Hood would turn out to be on their show. Same here.... Tom Ellis was fine as a one-shot, but Sean Maguire is Robin Hood. The moment he opened his mouth, in 3.01, I knew the recast would work. Sean's take is funny, charming, and hearkens back to the Robin Hood of yesteryear.

The creators knew, the Robin Hood was not going to just be a one-shot character. I actually heard some interesting rumors, about how and why Tom Ellis was originally cast. Supposedly, he did not audition, but ABC wanted him.... and he left because he wanted a leading role. I kinda think OUaT wanted Sean Maguire as Robin Hood, from the beginning but he was not availible originally.