Merlin

[N.Fan]

It's about time Arthur knows that Merlin can do magic,hopefully he will finally find out in the next series.

[Perdita]

Merlin exec Julian Murphy has promised that the show will grow more "sophisticated".

The writer / producer told CultBox that the fantasy drama's young fans have grown up with the series.

"As happens with many of these things – I guess Harry Potter being the most famous example - you do take the younger audience with you and to keep them you need to offer more sophisticated fare," said Murphy.

The Merlin co-creator also revealed further casting details for series five, confirming that Alexander Vlahos will replace Hugo star Asa Butterfield as Morded.

"We're happy to officially say that Alexander Vlahos is playing the older Mordred," he said. "He's in a lot of [the fifth series]."

Murphy added that new episodes of Merlin are again likely to debut in the autumn, following the October 2011 premiere of series four.

"We expect to be pretty much where we were last time, up against The X Factor," he revealed. "They don't tell us for certain until very late in the day, though!"

The BBC recently revealed to Digital Spy that Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham will appear in the new series of Merlin.

[Perdita]

The stars of Merlin have hinted at what's to come in a fifth series.

Colin Morgan (Merlin), Katie McGrath (Morgana) and Angel Coulby (Gwen) spoke to Digital Spy about the new episodes, Gwen's reign as Queen and the return of the dragons.

Morgan told Digital Spy that his young wizard character is in a "ruthless mode" in the next series.

"Merlin is becoming more ruthless, because he is becoming more solid in his beliefs," said the 26-year-old. "He's seeing things in a whole new way."

Mordred - now played by Alexander Vlahos - will also return to the series, with McGrath suggesting that he and Morgana have an "unbreakable" bond.

"You can't tell the story of Morgana without Mordred," she explained. "They are interlinked, they are entwined, and from the very first episode [of series five], you see that."


© BBC


Morgan added that the reappearance of Mordred is "the biggest threat there's ever been" to Camelot and the reign of Arthur (Bradley James).

"Anyone who knows the Arthurian legend knows what Mordred is destined to do... so that is the biggest threat, that is the biggest force," he hinted.

Merlin exec Julian Murphy also teased the possibility of a sixth series of the BBC fantasy drama, saying that he is "not ruling it out".

"It's a possibility - we don't know the answer yet," he said. "There's conversations going on, but I can't really say any more than that."

Merlin series five will air on BBC One in late 2012.

[parkerman]

Morgan added that the reappearance of Mordred is "the biggest threat there's ever been" to Camelot and the reign of Arthur (Bradley James).

"Anyone who knows the Arthurian legend knows what Mordred is destined to do... so that is the biggest threat, that is the biggest force," he hinted.

While that is true, I'm not sure that the present series owes anything much else to Arthurian legend. It is also the case for example that Mordred is Arthur's illegitimate son by Morgana but I don't think we'll be seeing any reference to that!

[Perdita]

Merlin co-creator Johnny Capps has revealed new details about the return of Uther.

The tyrannical King of Camelot - played by Anthony Head - was killed off in the BBC fantasy drama's fourth series, but will return for a one-off appearance in the fifth run.

"Arthur's... having a bit of a wobble as king and needs some advice," Capps told SciFiNow. "It's nice because Uther comes back and is able to have those emotional scenes that he probably didn't have because he died sooner than he should have."

The producer also confirmed that Uther will confront Merlin (Colin Morgan) during his brief return to the show.

"He gets to play some key emotional scenes and he has this amazing scene with Merlin," Capps said. "They have a good conversation - a conversation that they should have had a long time ago about Arthur (Bradley James)."

In addition to the upcoming fifth series, a trilogy of Merlin movies is also in the early stages of development.

Merlin will return to BBC One later in the year.

[N.Fan]

Series:5 Arthur's Bane: Part:1

Starts 6th Oct BBC1 7:45 - 8:30.

When Merlin returns to BBC1,it's set three years after the end of the last series.Arthur ( Bradley James ) is now king,while Morgana ( Katie McGrath ) is imprisoned.Merlin ( Colin Morgan ), of course,continues to dabble in magic.

[Perdita]

Confirmed for BBC One on 13 October at 8.25pm to 9.10pm

Ancient prophecies of Mordred weigh heavy on Merlin, for not even he can sway Arthur from his chosen path.
As dawn breaks across the icy tundra, Merlin and Arthur are close to exhaustion. With each tortured step, the fortress of Ismere looms ever nearer and Merlin's fear intensifies. What game is Mordred playing? And what powerful secrets are Morgana and the druid Ruadan (Liam Cunningham) searching for amongst its twisted catacombs? It seems like this time, not even Merlin can stop Arthur from walking right into the lion's den… For in this bleak and transient wilderness, only one thing is certain: the great trial for Albion has finally begun.

[Perdita]

Ep 3/13

Saturday 20 October
7.45-8.30pm
BBC ONE


When a stranger gives Arthur the power to summon the dead, the king finds himself torn between head and heart.
Unable to resist temptation, he seizes the chance to speak to the person he misses most – his father, Uther Pendragon (Anthony Head). But the spirit world is a dark and dangerous place, for little does Arthur realise that his decision comes at a terrible price. Against all odds, Merlin must put right Arthur's mistake before Camelot, and everything they have built, is destroyed forever.

[Perdita]

Following last week's shocking cliffhanger, Mordred (Alexander Vlahos) steps back into the fray as series five of Merlin continues this Saturday - but is the druid a friend or foe of Camelot?

Meanwhile, Ruadan (Liam Cunningham) plots to save his daughter Sefa (Sophie Rundle) from her fate and Morgana (Katie McGrath) grows increasingly deranged in her quest to destroy the Pendragon name once and for all. The great trial for Albion is about to begin...

Merlin continues on BBC One this Saturday (October 13) at 8.25pm.


1. We get a glimpse at the mysterious fate that befell Morgana between this series and the last...

2. Plus, a lingering plot thread from the series four finale is addressed.

3. "You fear me, Emrys, don't you?"

4. "I love your optimism!"

5. Merlin (Colin Morgan) and Arthur (Bradley James) take a leap of faith.

6. "I do not have such powers."

7. The late Uther gets a mention.

8. "Your bravery is matched only by your stupidity."

9. There's a scene that recalls classic prison flick The Shawshank Redemption.

10. "I told you - you should have killed him when you had the chance."

[Perdita]

Prepare yourself for some family drama in this week's episode of Merlin, as Arthur (Bradley James) learns that his old nemesis Odin (Fintan McKeown) - the tyrant responsible for Uther's death - is back on the scene. Will the King's judgement be affected by his thirst for revenge?

Meanwhile, Morgana (Katie McGrath) is hatching another devious scheme using Arthur's one-time fiancée Princess Mithian (Janet Montgomery) to lure Camelot's monarch into a deadly trap. Only Merlin (Colin Morgan) senses trouble, but can he save the king of Camelot alone?

Merlin continues on BBC One this Saturday (October 27) at 8.20pm.

1. The vicious Morgana gets a little Darth Vader on someone's ass!

2. "You should choose your allies more carefully."

3. Gwen (Angel Coulby) questions Arthur's motives.

4. "Did you just give me an order?!"

5. After his all-too brief appearance last episode, Mordred (Alexander Vlahos) is completely absent this week.

6. "I would not test me if I were you."

7. Merlin receives some rock-solid intel.

8. "Here I am - two legs, two arms, my own teeth."

9. Someone rather surprising displays their skill at swordplay.

10. "Don't make me do that again - I'm not sure my heart can take it."