After demobilization Troughton returned to the theatre. He worked with the Amersham Repertory Company, the Bristol Old Vic Company and the Pilgrim Players at the Mercury Theatre, Notting Hill Gate. He made his television debut in 1947. In 1948, Troughton made his cinema debut with small roles in Olivier's "Hamlet", the Joseph L. Mankiewicz directed "Escape" (one of the stars of which was William Hartnell), and a minor role as a pirate in Disney's "Treasure Island" (1950) appearing only during the attack on the heroes' hut. Television though, was his favourite medium. In 1953 he became the first actor to play the folk hero Robin Hood on television, starring in six half-hour episodes broadcast from 17 March to 21 April on the BBC, and titled simply "Robin Hood". His grandson Sam Troughton played one of Robin's colleagues in the 2006 BBC TV series of the same name, and Patrick himself would make an appearance in "The Adventures of Robin Hood" starring Richard Greene. He appeared as the murderer Tyrrell in Olivier's film of "Richard III" (1955). He was also Olivier's understudy on the film and appears in many long shots as Richard.