Merlin

I can't wait for the fourth series of Merlin :)

Nathaniel Parker has joined the cast of BBC One fantasy drama Merlin for the show's fourth run.

Digital Spy has learned exclusively that the Inspector Lynley Mysteries star will play Agravaine, the uncle of Arthur (Bradley James).

Parker recently appeared in ITV drama Injustice and has also made guest appearances on Lewis and Hotel Babylon.

His film credits include the role of Caspian's father in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and 2007's St. Trinian's.

The fourth series of Merlin was originally expected to run for ten weeks but it was recently confirmed that the show will return for a full thirteen episodes.

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Merlin star Colin Morgan has claimed that the show's fourth series will air in the autumn.

The actor told CultBox that filming on the new run "started last week".

"It feels like, coming into the fourth series, the show's really taken its place in people's hearts," he suggested. "We've just got scripts for the first three episodes through and it's hugely exciting."

He continued: "It'll still [air] this autumn, either in September or October this year."

Morgan also insisted that the Knights of the Round Table are a "fantastic" addition to the series.

"The basis of the story that we're working on is so strongly established in legend, so it's great to see these icons coming through," he said. "The show has always been about taking the legends and showing them in a different and unexpected way."

He added that there are "huge changes" in store for Merlin in the future.

"I think it's clear that Camelot is heading in a new direction," he claimed. "The characters' arcs are starting to take their place."

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Merlin producer Julian Murphy has confirmed that talks are ongoing about a potential fifth series.

Last November, Murphy first suggested that the fantasy drama could return for two more series.

He recently told CultBox: "We do have a general idea of what would happen in series five. We've always known a long while ahead where we wanted to go."

He also suggested that the show is unlikely to lose any regular cast members in the foreseeable future.

"I don't think we're likely to lose anyone in the cast that's key to our developing story," he said. "We know where we're headed and I don't think anything particularly will stand in the way."

Murphy also revealed that a number of possible Merlin spinoff projects have been discussed, including a cartoon.

"It's very early days, but there are thoughts and ideas," he said. "I think it'd be very interesting to explore. Something we've discussed, which would have to happen after the series had come to an end, is an animated series."

Merlin star Angel Coulby recently revealed to DS that her character Gwen will have a "changed" role in future episodes.

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Merlin producer Johnny Capps has confirmed that Anthony Head will return for the show's fourth series.

Head, who plays tyrannical king Uther on the fantasy drama, recently landed a series regular role on NBC sitcom Free Agents.

However, Capps told SFX: "Tony is in the next series, and there are some very exciting stories for his character. [Uther makes] some interesting choices and some unexpected choices."

He continued: "Tony is an important part in the series and Uther's legacy is [also] important."

Merlin star Angel Coulby previously told Digital Spy that her character Gwen will be made to care for Uther in the new series.

"She's obviously no longer Morgana's maid servant, but she's been looking after the King," explained Coulby. "That's what she's been doing in the year [since series three, while] Morgana's been away."

The new series of Merlin is currently filming in Wales and France.

Merlin has been renewed for a fifth series by the BBC, the show's executive producers have confirmed.

Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy made the announcement at the 2011 Comic-Con in San Diego, as part of the event's Merlin panel.

Capps suggested that the commission will allow the show's writing team more "creative space" and promised that future episodes will feature a greater focus on "slow-burn" character arcs.

The fourth series of Merlin is currently filming in Wales and France. Nathaniel Parker will join the regular cast as Agravaine, the uncle of Arthur (Bradley James), while Whitechapel's Phil Davis and former Spooks star Gemma Jones have also signed up for guest roles.

Johnny Capps previously revealed that that the fourth series will open with a two-part adventure telling "the story of Morgana's revenge".

"We left Morgana (Katie McGrath) in a terrible state at the end of the last series," he said. "She does quite an extreme thing [in series four], and it's the question of whether Arthur and Merlin (Colin Morgan) and the knights will be able to defeat her."

What does everyone think of the new series a bit darker, but Morganna is having doubts me thinks :)

I'm really enjoying it, though looking forward to more banter between Merlin and Arthur. I don't think Morgana's going to change her evil ways any time soon. I was upset at Lancelot's death :(

Lindsay Duncan has revealed more details about her guest role in this week's Merlin.

The Alice in Wonderland actress will appear in Saturday's episode as Queen Annis, a foe of King Arthur (Bradley James).

"She's been the Queen but she's been with her [late] husband who's done all the fighting and being on the front line." Duncan explained. "So they mirror each other. Death has brought [both] Annis and Arthur to the position they're in."

She added: "Both Annis and Arthur find themselves in a situation of having a great deal of power and having to take responsibility of that power without the experience."

Duncan explained that Annis and Arthur will clash after the death of her husband Caerleon (Steven Hartley).

"Her decision-making that could very easily be floored by the fact she's fuelled by anger about the injustice of Caerleon's death," said the star. "She's very, very angry."

The fourth series of Merlin has continued to be a success for the BBC, peaking at over 7m viewers and scoring the highest AI (Appreciation Index) figures since the show began in 2008, rating as 88, 90, 89 and 89 again over the past four weeks.

The fantasy drama continues this Saturday at 8.10pm on BBC One.


Excellent show!

The creators of Merlin have hinted at the future of the show's female leads.

Gwen (Angel Coulby) was crowned queen of Camelot in the BBC drama's fourth series finale.

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© BBC
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© BBC Pictures


"All the characters will have moved on a lot [when series five starts]," Johnny Capps told SciFiNow. "Gwen... has a very different role than she's had in previous seasons. When we start series five I think everyone will be surprised where all the characters are."

However, co-exec Murphy sought to reassure fans that Arthur's (Bradley James) marriage would not affect his relationship with Merlin (Colin Morgan).

"I don't think it will change the relationship between them," he said. "I hope it will make it a greater dynamic - three often shakes it up and makes it richer, and without it trying to, I think the writing will do that."

Murphy also promised that Morgana (Katie McGrath) will become "a stronger and more committed enemy than ever before".

"The stakes are becoming higher now that Arthur is king and the future of Albion is being created," he explained. "There's more for Merlin to fight for and more for him to protect."