Black Arrow, The

1 9 7 2 – 1 9 7 5 (UK)
20 x 30 minute episodes

Black Arrow was a lone figure of mystery who protected the poor against greedy warrior barons fighting for power and influence throughout the 15th-century Wars of the Roses.

But an even bigger mystery for viewers of Southern Television’s initial seven-part adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure was the identity of the actor who wore the Black Arrow’s mask; “We are going to keep the secret until the end of the series and we might not reveal it even then” the actor told TV Times readers in 1972.

Good guy Richard Shelton was played originally by 18-year-old Robin Langford. Other key characters included Joanna Sedley (Helen Stronge), Will Lawless (Eric Flynn) and principal villain Sir Daniel Brackley (William Squire).

The series was off-screen for less than a year before it returned in December 1973. The part of Richard Shelton (now four years older) was now played by Simon Cuff.

The Black Arrow actor was still a mystery, though, and it wasn’t until series three that Shelton was revealed as the alter ego of the Black Arrow.

Richard Shelton (Black Arrow)
Robin Langford (1)
Simon Cuff (2)
Sir Daniel Brackley
William Squire
Joanna Sedley
Helen Stronge
Will Lawless
Eric Flynn (1)
Glyn Owen (2)
Mistress Hatch
Dorothea Phillips
Father Oates
Gordon Rollings