March 16, 2007

English actress Lucy Griffiths has found herself in the spotlight since snaring the role of Marian in a BBC version of Robin Hood -- and she's already learned not to answer questions about her personal life.

After being introduced into amateur dramatics in her home town on Brighton on Britain's south coast by her parents, she was discovered acting as a teenager and landed some television roles in single episodes of "Sea of Souls" and "Sugar Rush."

But Griffiths, 20, really came to notice after winning the role of the feisty Marian in the BBC drama series "Robin Hood" last year, with the series now being shown in the United States and the DVD of the series on sale from June.

Griffiths, who is about the start filming the second series of Robin Hood, spoke to Reuters recently after playing Marian -- and dodging questions about her private life:

Where will you film the second series?

"In Budapest in Hungary, like the first series. It will take about six months or maybe a bit more. We still don't know if there will be third series but we are optioned for one."

Did you get a good response to the first series?

"We've had a really good response. It has gone down well. I think because Robin Hood is such a classic story. What is nice about this one and refreshing is that it is injected with a bit more life. It is kind of updated in a way and does not pedantically stick to typical speech of the time and the costumes aren't accurate. The whole cast is unknown faces. That was very much a conscious decision by the producers because they wanted it to have a fresh feel."

Do Robin Hood fans mind the historical inaccuracy?

"There are things like Robin Hood societies and they seem to take some offense at the lack of historical accuracy but they are few and far between. Most people, if they were shocked by the new style at first, have got used to it."

Does filming away limit working on other projects?

"It is difficult because while we are in Hungary we cannot audition for anything that is in England or the United States. So I've just been chilling out, relaxing with friends in between and going on holiday in between filming."

Do you get recognized in the street now?

"I do in England. Not in the United States. When I am with my friends it feels a bit strange but you know if is going to happen if you are in a high profile show."

Do you have any advice for other aspiring actors?

"Get as much experience as you can. Whether it be in your local amateur group or whatever. You never know who is going to be watching. It's the kind of career where luck comes into it a lot. I was going to audition for drama schools if nothing happened sooner but I got lucky. I was in the right place at the right time. I always wanted to do this but thought it was going to be a more long-winded route. I didn't think it would happen this young."

Does your busy schedule rule out boyfriends and do you have one?

"I try not to answer questions like that. I think it is harder to juggle when you are traveling a lot rather than when you are staying in on one place. But if you meet someone and it is meant to be that's fine. I am just young and having fun."