Merlin

[Theta Sigma]

Quoted from MattLPearson at the Doctor Who Forum:
"Teletext TV news on page 131 reports that the BBC is producing a new 13 part Merlin series for the Doctor Who / Robin Hood slot.
Apparently rehearsals and filming start in Wales next week and it will star Richard Wilson, Colin Morgan, Bradley James and Anthony Stewart Head."

 

[Theta Sigma]

Received more info this time from rplon at the Doctor Who Forum of what characters the actors will be playing:
Colin Morgan - Merlin
Richard Wilson - Gaius
Bradley James - Arthur
Anthony Head - Arthur's father
Angel Golby - Guinevere
Katie McGrath as Morgana.

 

[Theta Sigma]

BBC Press release:
BBC - Press Office - Richard Wilson and Anthony Head lead cast in Merlin for BBC One

"BBC Drama and Shine Limited today (Monday 17 March) announce that filming has begun for Merlin, a brand new drama for BBC One.

Acclaimed British actors Richard Wilson (Gauis) and Anthony Head (Uther) will star alongside newcomers Colin Morgan (Merlin) and Bradley James (Arthur) in the forthcoming 13-part series, which will transmit in autumn 2008.

Set in the mythical city of Camelot, in a time before history began, this adaptation of the much loved tale focuses on Merlin as a young wizard on the cusp of adulthood and his ongoing clashes with a young King Arthur."

 

[Theta Sigma]

John Hurt and Michelle Ryan have joined the show:
BBC NEWS | Entertainment | BBC One unveils new Merlin drama

John Hurt provides the voice of Merlin's mentor, the Great Dragon and Michelle Ryan is the wicked sorceress Nimueh.

 

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To Australian viewers-
In a bit of a surprise 10 has picked up Merlin:
TV Tonight: Merlin casts a spell over TEN

 

[Theta Sigma]

I have read that Merlin starts (in the UK) on September 27.

 

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Trailer:
YouTube - Merlin - The Cinema Trailer - BBC One

 

[Theta Sigma]

There is now an official website for Merlin:
BBC - Merlin - Keep The Magic Secret

 

[Theta Sigma]

I have read that Merlin starts (in the UK) on September 27.

Just found out that Merlin began earlier in the UK on September 20.

Found out from Wikipedia that the first episode guest stars Eve Myles.

 

[Theta Sigma]

The Dragon's Call:
Season 1, Episode 1.
The beginning of the series is mostly dull.
Guest star Eve Myles was basically the only good thing about this first episode

Spoiler

as her character got taken over by a witch. Also very good singing.

 

[Jeddy]

i really liked this show from the begining, like much of the English population (atleast) The Legend of King Arthur has always captivated my imagination ever since i was young i have wanted to read and watch anything i can possibly watch just to learn about it, not for historical accuracy but purely for the dream and the story. For that reason i didnt really like the film King Arthur -ok so bob and steve their "experts" decided that wa the most likely scenario, i dont care, where is the myth?

Now this TV series has that element, its full of myth and magic. Sadly at times too much so, or its let down by the limited CG (Example Arthur fighting the Gryphon) whilst its not full period stuff it does have a "young" feel to it, thanks mainly to the cast - which i feel they have done really well with!

However after watching the show last Saturday (22nd November) I feel slightly disapointed, the previous week they had billed it up that finally Arthur would find out about Merlin, and throughout the whole episode they were emphasising the friendship the two had developed despite their situation. yet no, Merlins dying friend steps in and takes the blame.

So in short, its really good, but the constant "no one can know merlin uses magic" thing is getting ever so tiresome!

 

[Jasoneagle]

Received more info this time from rplon at the Doctor Who Forum of what characters the actors will be playing:
Colin Morgan - Merlin
Richard Wilson - Gaius
Bradley James - Arthur
Anthony Head - Arthur's father
Angel Golby - Guinevere
Katie McGrath as Morgana.

Would just like to note that if they are keeping names True to the Legend than Arthur's Father's Name IS Uther of Pendragon

 

[Jeddy]

Well he Is Uther Pendragon, i dont know why it isnt listed in that list.

and the thing about Arthurian myth, its been told over centuries and different places and different peopel have different stories so there is no set "history"

for example, in the first arthurian book i read Uther was only Arthurs adoptive father. One thing that seems to be mostly common is that Excalibur was not the sword pulled from the stone.

If you want to get historical then the highest probability is that Arthur was a Roman colaborater that was given dominion over England during the fall of the roman empire.

 

[Jasoneagle]

Not to really get off topic here but the True name of King Arthur was King Uther (named for his father) Arthur is just the way people pronounced it over time became.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Valiant:
Season 1, Episode 2.
Definite improvement over the first episode.
Valiant makes for a good villain.
Funny the way Arthur shows his gratitude to Merlin at the end.

 

[Theta Sigma]

To Australian viewers:
During an ad break for Army Wives saw 10's ad of their new shows for 2009 which included Merlin.

The ad included a little bit from the Merlin title sequence.

I have already seen the first two episodes and the second episode is better than the first.

 

[Theta Sigma]

The BBC has renewed Merlin for a second season:
'Merlin' heads into second series - Entertainment News, TV News, Media - Variety
"A second season of fantasy drama "Merlin" ......has been greenlit as it emerged that 112 territories have acquired the show."

 

[Theta Sigma]

To Australian viewers:
10 is having a preview screening of Merlin in Sydney at the all new Hoyts IMAX over the Easter Holidays.

Details of how to attend the preview screening is in tomorrow's Sun Herald:
http://ten.com.au/merlin.htm

As I have already seen the first three episodes I won't be attending this event.

 

[Theta Sigma]

To Australian viewers:
10 has been showing ads of Merlin. Looks like it is really coming very soon.

 

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To Australian viewers:
TV Tonight has reported that Merlin will start on 10 on Saturday May 3 6:30pm.

 

[Theta Sigma]

To Australian viewers:
TV Tonight has reported that Merlin will start on 10 on Saturday May 3 6:30pm.

My mistake as May 3 is a Sunday not Saturday.

 

[Theta Sigma]

To Australian viewers:
A new Merlin ad has it being described as Big Screen Fantasy for TV as the voiceover compares it to the movie versions of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings & Chronicles of Narnia.

 

[Theta Sigma]

To Australian viewers:
Last night Merlin began on 10 and the first episode guest starred Eve Myles whose character is killed off. The first episode was shown in the UK on September 20 2008 and someone in at the Doctor Who Forum pointed out that it was aired in the UK less than 48 hours before Doctor Who: The Stolen Earth was shown in Australia on ABC1 which revealed to Australian audiences for the first time the demise of Gwen's (also played by Eve) Torchwood colleagues Tosh and Owen.

Incidentally Merlin has a character call Gwen but it was not played by Eve. She was played by Angel Coulby who has appeared in Doctor Who in The Girl In The Fireplace.

The latest tv guide in the Sydney Sunday Telegraph it includes an interview with Tony Head (Uther). He said that the Merlin is stunning to look at and the storylines gets deeper and deeper as the series goes on. He also praised Colin Morgan (Merlin) saying that he plays comedy brilliantly.

 

[Theta Sigma]

A Remedy To Cure All Ills:
Season 1, Episode 6.
As played by Julian Rhind-Tutt, a very good villain in Edwin as he is a very sneaky one.
Felt for Gaius when he was unable to reveal to Uther what Edwin was.

 

[Theta Sigma]

The Beginning of the End:
Season 1, Episode 8.
A druid boy is about to be executed and the Great Dragon tells Merlin that he should let him die. Very good in showing Merlin's anguish in letting the boy before changing his mind at the last minute.
The boy reveals his name at the end and Merlin in years to come is going to regret rescuing him.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Merlin In Need:
The Merlin Children In Need sketch that was broadcast in the UK the day after The Beginning of the End.
YouTube - BBC Merlin Children in need
Very very funny.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Le Morte d'Arthur:
Finale of season 1.
Very admirable Merlin and Gauis showing their loyalty and friendship to each other when facing off Nimueh.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Found out that season 2 will start (in the UK) on September 19.

 

[Theta Sigma]

Season 2 trailer:
YouTube - Official Season 2 Merlin Trailer

 

[Theta Sigma]

The BBC Press Office has finally confirmed that September 19 is indeed the (UK) start date for season 2.