Death in Paradise star Ben Miller has revealed how his daughter inspired the main character in his new book, Robin Hood Aged 10 3/4.
During an exclusive interview with Digital Spy, Death in Paradise's first lead detective explained how real life inspired the book's protagonist.
"I am always kind of writing about my own kids so there's a lot of my daughter, Lana in the main character," he told us.
Miller's story centres on a young girl named Charlie who moves to a new school and is nervous about fitting in after her recent experience of being bullied.
Charlie's confidence is tested when a magic door in the library thrusts her into the adventurous world of Robin Hood where everyone transforms into a character from the story – including Charlie, who becomes the book's title character.
Related: David Tennant and Ben Miller's British comedy is available to watch on BBC iPlayer
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"She's one of those characters that has huge potential," said Miller of his main character, "but she doesn't really believe in herself, particularly at the beginning.
"The story is about her coming to believe in herself."
When explaining how his daughter helped inform the shift away from a traditional male version of Robin Hood, Miller said: "When I see her playing with her brother, Harrison, they quite often play outlaws or they'll play soldiers or princesses.
"They see it as they're just games. They're not really thinking about who is what gender in the story.
"So it felt like it would be very true to how kids play for Robin to be female," Miller explained, adding: "Also, I just thought, 'Wouldn't it be fun if a girl was Robin Hood?'"
The Professor T actor also admitted that his passion for the original story also inspired Robin Hood Aged 10 3/4.
"I really loved Robin Hood growing up. I love that story. The idea of living wild in a forest, hanging out, the freedom with all your friends," Miller told us.
"Drinking ale and making merry in the middle of a forest always sounded rather attractive.
"I felt like it's been a while since there's been a film of Robin Hood, or a TV series about Robin Hood… So I thought maybe there's a moment to rediscover it as well for children."
Miller will return to screens as Jasper Tempest in Professor T's fourth series, which is tipped to air next year.
He revealed that season four finished filming back in July, with a post on Instagram which read: "It's a wrap! Season four of Professor T is now officially in the can. Thank you to all our amazing cast and crew! We can't wait to show you the results...
"First, though, I need to take an ice bath and consider playing a detective who doesn't wear a wool suit in 30 degree heat."
All episodes of Death in Paradise are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer and all episodes of Professor T are available on ITVX.
Robin Hood Aged 10 3/4 by Ben Miller is published by Simon & Schuster Children's Books. It's available to buy now via retailers including Amazon, bookshop.org, Hive, LoveReading4Kids, Waterstones and WH Smith.
TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
