Robin Hood

Saturday Night Drama on BBC 1.

Third series for 2009 - but that's it for Jonas!

Jonas Armstrong has reportedly fired his last arrow and will quit the BBC's Robin Hood series at the end of the third series.

He has reportedly been inundated with offers of high-paid screen roles since leading the highly successful BBC production which regularly pulls in eight million viewers to BBC1 each Saturday.

But in a controversial move, BBC bosses have confirmed the series will continue even without the star. A BBC insider said: "Jonas might be leaving but there is every intention for a fourth series. We don't want to give away what happens yet but it will be explosive."

Series three is currently filming in Hungary, with production company Tiger Aspect and will pick up where the second series left off, with Robin hell-bent on gaining revenge against Gisborne ( Richard Armitage) for the shocking murder of Maid Marian (Lucy Griffiths)and the Sheriff's (Keith Allen) failure to kill Prince John.

The third season is also reported to see the introduction of the new character to this series, none other than Friar Tuck played by David Harewood.

Armstrong said playing the role in the updated television series had been "one of the most incredible experiences" of his life, but added that he wanted to "take on new challenges and look at new opportunities".

A spokeswoman for the BBC said Jonas' departure did not mean the end for the show. However, it is not clear whether another actor will take up the role, or if the series will continue without its title character.

In a statement, the Corporation said: "Robin Hood is more than a man, he is a hero and a legend, so how the legacy unfolds after Jonas leaves is in itself mysterious and intriguing."

Foz Allan, the show's executive producer, praised Armstrong's Robin Hood as one that had "updated the legend for a contemporary audience".

"We cannot confirm the series climax nor can we guarantee who will survive and who won't. But we can assure you Robin's exit will be unmissable," he said.

Robin Hood series three is 13 episodes long and is currently filming in Budapest. It will be aired in 2009..

So what do you think of this news? Are you looking forward to Series Three? Can there be a fourth series without Robin Hood?

Let us know what you think at: info@robinhood.info

To see comments and views from across the world on Series One and Two, click here.