Thieves of the Wood

Charismatic highwayman Jan de Lichte leads the oppressed and downtrodden in a revolt against the corrupt aristocracy of 18th-century Belgium.

Thieves of the Wood (2020) is a Belgian historical action drama series created by Pieter Van Hees, Maarten Moerkerke and Robin Pront for Netflix and VTM. Matteo Simoni plays charismatic highwayman Jan de Lichte, who leads the oppressed and downtrodden in revolt against the corrupt aristocracy of eighteenth-century Belgium. Around him gather loyal companions including Stef Aerts as Francis Tincke, Dirk Roofthooft as Jean-Joseph Coffijn and Anne-Laure Vandeputte as Anne-Marie Mestdagh, each drawn into a struggle where danger lurks in the shadowy forests and on the roads of a divided countryside. The engine of the show is simple and urgent: a folk hero must stay one step ahead of powerful enemies while his ragtag band fights for the common people. Episodes are built around heists, ambushes and daring escapes, with gunpowder, horse carriages and hidden hideouts setting the rhythm. Presented as a single ten-episode season of one continuing story, the series combines swashbuckling energy with a grounded sense of hardship and class anger. Its tone is gritty yet rousing, with a bruised, earthy look. Fans of Robin Hood and The Musketeers will find a familiar appetite for rebellion and adventure here.

Reception is limited and mixed, with critics praising the swashbuckling energy and lead performance while finding the single season's storytelling uneven.

• Robin Hoodshared outlaw rebel against corrupt aristocracy, historical period action drama
• The Musketeersshared period costume drama with swashbuckling action and class conflict
• Dick Turpinshared rebel highwayman folk hero story set in eighteenth century Europe

Created by

Pieter Van Hees, Maarten Moerkerke, Robin Pront

Release Date

2020-01-02

Episode runtime

60 min

Rating

6.8 / 10 (194)

What is Thieves of the Wood about?

A charismatic highwayman leads the downtrodden in revolt against the corrupt aristocracy of 18th-century Belgium.

What is Thieves of the Wood like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Thieves of the Wood as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Thieves of the Wood violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Thieves of the Wood as moderate.

What did critics think of Thieves of the Wood?

Reception is limited and mixed, with critics praising the swashbuckling energy and lead performance while finding the single season's storytelling uneven.

Which shows are like Thieves of the Wood?

Shows with a similar feel include Robin Hood, The Musketeers, and Dick Turpin.

How long is Thieves of the Wood?

Thieves of the Wood: 1 season, 10 episodes.

Is Thieves of the Wood still running?

No, Thieves of the Wood has ended.