Merlin BBC TV Series

Looks can be deceptive, and the third BBC series of 'Merlin' began with beauties Morgause (Emilia Fox) and Morgana (Katie McGrath) trying to bring about the destruction of Camelot, in the two parter, 'The Tears Of Uther Pendragon'. This story had probably the most spectacular special effects yet, including skeleton soldiers! 'Goblin's Gold' had a miscievous goblin who takes over Gaius, and makes Uther Pendragon go bald. Two rogue knights attempt to kill Arthur in 'Gwaine', and a stranger who arrives to help is not all he seems. 'The Crystal Cave' disturbs Merlin as he looks into the future, and 'The Changeling' sees Merlin fearful for Arthur over his planned marriage to Elena.

Merlin Series 2 Summary

Series 2 of 'Merlin' began impressively in September 2009, with Mackenzie Crook playing the furtive Cedric trying to undermine Merlin in 'The Curse Of Cornelius Sigan', and the charismatic Adrian Lester starring as a knight with a deadly mission in second episode 'The Once And Future Queen'. Anyone scared of fearsome creatures should have avoided 'The Nightmare Begins' and 'Lancelot And Guinevere', with giant scorpions in the former and the savage Wildren in the latter. Sarah Parish played a sly, repulsive, flatulent witch in the two 'Beauty And The Beast' episodes, as she wormed her way into Uther Pendragon's affections. 'The Witchfinder' sees Charles Dance playing witchfinder Aredian, who is keen to see Gaius burnt at the stake, but Merlin has other ideas...

Arthur is challenged to a duel in the eighth episode, 'The Sins Of The Father', and the challenger turns out to be an attractive young woman called Morgause (Emilia Fox). She has magical powers, and, through her, Arthur discovers a disturbing secret. In episode nine, 'The Lady Of The Lake', Merlin finds love in the shape of the pretty and winsome Freya (Laura Donnelly), but she is not all that she seems, though it isn't her fault... Prepare to get the hankies out for a particularly sad ending. In 'Sweet Dreams', Arthur is spellbound (literally) by a jester (Kevin Eldon), into falling for the gorgeous Vivian (Georgia Moffett) - all for nerfarious purposes. In 'The Witch's Quickening', Morgana is torn between her loyalty to Mordred and Camelot - and mesmerising Alvarr (Joseph Mawle) exploits her dilemma. Morgause returns in 'The Fires Of Idirsholas' with seven sinister horsemen, and all in Camelot seem affected by Morgause's strange enchantment - all apart from Morgana.

The final episode of the second series sees tragedy strike for Merlin, and the released dragon is far from being grateful for being set free by him... Good news for 'Merlin' fans is that there will be a third series.

Copyright © Paul Rance/booksmusicfilmstv.com.

Merlin Series 1 Summary

The BBC couldn't really go wrong with this adaptation of one of the most famous and popular characters from Arthurian legend, though this is about the life of the young Merlin (Colin Morgan).

Merlin is having to conceal his magical powers from King Uther Pendragon (Anthony Head), as the King deems only death as a suitable punishment for magicians. Merlin's mentor Gaius (Richard Wilson) encourages and advises the young tyro, and when Merlin becomes a servant of Prince Arthur (Bradley James) he has to use his powers to both save Arthur, and to carefully make sure that Arthur does not suspect that he has the powers in the first place.

John Hurt's voice is used for that of The Dragon, who also advises Merlin, and there is love interest with Katie McGrath playing Arthur's girl, and an understated romance between Arthur and Gwen (Angel Coulby).

After a slowish start, 'Merlin' has become an impressive series, and is ideally transmitted on early Saturday evenings for a family audience. The cast is a good mix of experienced performers - Wilson, Head, and Hurt - and young, upcoming stars - Morgan, James, Ms. McGrath, and Ms. Coulby. Guest stars include the likes of Michelle Ryan. 'Teenage Kicks' star Ed Coleman features in the first two episodes as the put-upon Morris.

Copyright © Paul Rance/booksmusicfilmstv.com.

Merlin - Series 1 & 2 DVDs - available from booksmusicfilmstv.com - in association with Amazon.co.uk

Merlin - Complete Series 2 Box Set [DVD] [2009] ~ Colin Morgan, Bradley James

Merlin - Series 1 - Complete [DVD] [2008] ~ Colin Morgan, Bradley James

Merlin Vol.1 [, 2008] ~ Colin Morgan, Bradley James

Merlin - Series Books - available from booksmusicfilmstv.com - in association with Amazon.co.uk

"Merlin" the Complete Guide ~ Various

"Merlin": The Magic Begins ~ Various

"Merlin": The Poisoned Chalice ~ Various

Merlin Cast List - Series 3

John Hurt as The Dragon
Colin Morgan as Merlin
Richard Wilson as Gaius
Bradley James as Arthur
Anthony Head as Uther Pendragon
Katie McGrath as Morgana
Angel Coulby as Gwen
Emilia Fox as Morgause

Merlin Episode List - Series 3

1. The Tears Of Uther Pendragon (Part 1) - 11th September, 2010
2. The Tears Of Uther Pendragon (Part 2) - 18th September, 2010
3. Goblin's Gold - 25th September, 2010
4. Gwaine - 2nd October, 2010
5. The Crystal Cave - 9th October, 2010
6. The Changeling - 16th October, 2010
7. The Castle of Fyrien - 23rd October, 2010
8. The Eye of the Phoenix - 30th October, 2010
9. Love in the Time of Dragons - 6th November, 2010

Merlin Cast List - Series 2

John Hurt as The Dragon
Colin Morgan as Merlin
Richard Wilson as Gaius
Bradley James as Arthur
Anthony Head as Uther Pendragon
Katie McGrath as Morgana
Angel Coulby as Gwen
Asa Butterfield as Mordred
Santiago Cabrera as Lancelot
Michael Cronin as Geoffrey of Monmouth
Rupert Young as Sir Leon
Mackenzie Crook as Cedric
Luke Neil as Sir Geraint
Adrian Lester as Myror
Alex Price as Sir William
Fintan McKeown as King Odin
Colin Salmon as Aglain
Beth Cordingly as Forridel
James Cosmo as Hengist
Sarah Parish as Lady Catrina
Adam Godley as Jonas
Charles Dance as Aredian
Emilia Fox as Morgause
Laura Donnelly as Freya
Richard Ridings as Halig
David Schofield as Alined
Kevin Eldon as Trickler
Mark Lewis Jones as King Olaf
Georgia Moffett as Vivian
Asa Butterfield as Mordred
Joseph Mawle as Alvarr
Emily Beecham as Emmyria
John Lynch as Balinor

Merlin Episode List - Series 2

1. The Curse Of Cornelius Sigan - 19th September, 2009
2. The Once And Future Queen - 26th September, 2009
3. The Nightmare Begins - 3rd October, 2009
4. Lancelot And Guinevere - 10th October, 2009
5. Beauty And The Beast: Part One - 24th October, 2009
6. Beauty And The Beast: Part Two - 31st October, 2009
7. The Witchfinder - 7th November, 2009
8. The Sins Of The Father - 14th November, 2009
9. The Lady Of The Lake - 21st November, 2009
10. Sweet Dreams - 28th November, 2009
11. The Witch's Quickening - 5th December, 2009
12. The Fires Of Idirsholas - 12th December, 2009
13. The Last Dragonlord - 19th December, 2009

Merlin Cast List - Series 1

John Hurt as The Dragon
Colin Morgan as Merlin
Richard Wilson as Gaius
Bradley James as Arthur
Anthony Head as Uther Pendragon
Katie McGrath as Morgana
Angel Coulby as Gwen
Michelle Ryan as Nimueh
Asa Butterfield as Mordred
Santiago Cabrera as Lancelot
Michael Cronin as Geoffrey Of Monmouth
Caroline Faber as Hunith
Gary Oliver as Gregory
Rick English as Black Knight
Ed Coleman as Morris
Eve Myles as Mary Collins/Lady Helen
Will Mellor as Valiant
Julian Rhind-Tutt as Edwin Muirden
Kyle Redmond-Jones as Sir Owain
Alexander Siddig as Kanan
Joe Dempsie as William
Holliday Grainger as Sophia
Kenneth Cranham as Aulfric

Children In Need Special Episode: Merlin In Need - 20th November, 2009

Merlin Episode List - Series 1

1. The Dragon's Call - 20th September, 2008
2. Valiant - 27th September, 2008
3. The Mark Of Nimueh - 4th October, 2008
4. The Poisoned Chalice - 11th October, 2008
5. Lancelot - 18th October, 2008
6. A Remedy To Cure All Ills - 25th October, 2008
7. The Gates Of Avalon - 1st November, 2008
8. The Beginning Of The End - 8th November, 2008
9. Excalibur - 15th November, 2008
10. The Moment Of Truth - 22nd November, 2008
11. The Labyrinth Of Gedref - 29th November, 2008
12. To Kill The King - 6th December, 2008
13. The End Is Near - 13th December, 2008

'Merlin' first series average viewing figures: 6.32 million

Children In Need Special Episode: Merlin In Need - 14th November, 2008