Sophie Winkleman is bound to ruffle a few feathers in the royal household when they find out about her latest role.

Merry wife of Windsor: Sophie with Lord Freddie

The actress, due to marry Lord Freddie Windsor this autumn and become the daughter-in-law of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, is set to have an on-screen romp - with Robin Hood's dad.

But forget the in-laws... it's Sherwood Forest's outlaws the 28-year-old is joining as she appears in the third series of the BBC drama Robin Hood. Although it's a teatime family show, her role may well cause a few blushes.

The royal family were already said to be reeling in horror about the new Mike Figgis movie Love Live Long, where Sophie appears in some erotic scenes. A source revealed: "The Robin Hood role is another louche one for her.

"This series will reach eight million households, far more people than are l ikely to see the [Figgis] film." In the TV series her character, Ghislaine, falls into the arms of another man while still married - although she believes her husband is dead - and later gives birth to the future Robin Hood.

"Sophie has a pivotal role, even though she's only in one episode," the source added. "She gets passionate on screen and she is very much the scarlet woman."

Sophie spent 10 days filming in Budapest last year, opposite actor Dean Lennox Kelly as Robin Hood's father. "They meet in a barn for a roll around in the hay," said the source.