 The producers approached Armitage in November 2007 , following the completion of the second series of Robin Hood , for which he played the regular part of Sir Guy of Gisbourne . Though interested in appearing on Spooks , he was initially somewhat worried and hesitant to join the series , citing replacing Rupert Penry @-@ Jones , which he thought was a " tall order , " and fears of bringing the series down . He agreed to appear on the series upon reading the rough outline of the script . He and the producers discussed about the potential and direction for the character , as well as where he would fit in the world of Spooks . A tentative viewer of the Spooks , he spent two days catching up on the series before starting . 
