The magic is back! The popular series “Merlin,” starring Colin Morgan, Bradley James and Anthony Head, returns for a third season on Syfy beginning Friday, January 7, at 10PM (ET/PT).
The second season of “Merlin” will air as a marathon of during the day of January 7 on Syfy.
Season three sees the young wizard Merlin (Colin Morgan) in increasingly more dangerous and dark battles in his secret quest to protect Prince Arthur (Bradley James) in the fabled kingdom of Camelot where magic is forbidden by King Uther (Anthony Head). They rejoin Katie McGrath as the mesmerizing Morgana, who has a dark destiny of her own, Angel Coulby as her loyal maid Gwen, and Richard Wilson as wise Court physician Gaius. The new season sees our heroes pushed to their limits as the kingdom is thrown into turmoil by the return of Morgana from a year’s absence. As misbegotten secrets are exposed and old friends choose new sides, the battle for Camelot has truly begun.
A host of new guest stars joins the regular cast to enthrall audiences over the 13-episode run, including four actors from the Harry Potter films: Harry Melling (The Harry Potter Series) will play Merlin’s friend Gilli; Warwick Davis (The Chronicles of Narnia) assumes the role of bridgekeeper Grettir; Miriam Margoyles (Being Julia) will play Grunhilda; and Mark Williams (The Fast Show) is voice of a mischievous Goblin. Guest stars from the previous season such as Emilia Fox (The Pianist, Ballet Shoes) who plays Morgause, and Santiago Cabrera (Heroes, Che), who plays Lancelot, will also be returning for the new season. Legendary actor John Hurt once again provides the Voice of the Great Dragon.
DARK ENCHANTMENT
For the Third Season of MERLIN, Friendships Face Treachery, Destiny Collides With Deceit, and Adventure Rules Camelot
In the enchanted kingdom of Camelot, adventure reigns supreme … but on Season 3 of MERLIN, so do treachery, deceit and destiny, as the magical series returns to Syfy in epic fashion.
In June, Season 2 ended with the disappearance of Morgana and the discovery by Merlin that he is heir to an extraordinary gift beyond his powers as a warlock: He is a dragonlord, able to speak with and control the great dragon who has offered him secret advice and counsel.
It was a stunning development, because although the denizens of Camelot regard Merlin as nothing more than a servant, he is destined to lead Prince Arthur to the throne and stand beside him as he rules the kingdom.
“These characters have such huge futures ahead of them, which the audience knows but they don’t,” explains Colin Morgan, who portrays the warlock Merlin as a young man. “Merlin is vaguely aware of this new kingdom that will arise when Arthur is king, and the series is very much about how Merlin grows up and the decisions he has to make.”
In the penultimate episode of Season 2, Merlin made one of the most difficult decisions imaginable when he tried to kill Morgana (Katie McGrath), the beautiful ward of King Uther (Anthony Head), who had succumbed to the temptations of evil sorceress Morgause. Only Merlin realizes Morgana’s true nature, and when she returns in the first episode of the new season, she is keenly aware of what she views as Merlin’s deceit. That leads to a compelling conflict of darkness and light, which is at the heart of Season 3.
The attempt on Morgana’s life was “Merlin’s most shameful act,” Morgan says. “It was the lowest of the low, and that’s how he feels about it – so when she comes back after this yearlong search, every emotion he has felt toward her, the shame the guild from what he did comes floating back. And we quickly find out that she’s not very happy with Merlin. He knows that she is evil, that she has chosen that path, and Morgana knows that he knows all of this.”
And yet, King Uther welcomes Morgana back with open arms, and Merlin’s status as a servant makes it impossible for him to voice his suspicions.
“Things have hardened for Merlin. He has been hurt so many times by people he loves, by his friends,” Morgan explains. “It’s hurtful for him to see Morgana take that wrong path.”
But it’s a path McGrath says she is excited to explore. “Not only is Morgana coming into control of her magic and her powers, but she’s been with someone (Morgause) who accepts her for who she is. Now she’s coming back to make everyone else pay.”
HEROISM AND HUMOR
Colin Morgan and Bradley James Team as Young Warlock Merlin and the Man Who Will be King
The world knows King Arthur and his magical, bearded adviser, Merlin. But as millions of television viewers around the world have learned for two extraordinary seasons, there is a spellbinding tale to tell of these two men before they were legends – and that’s just what MERLIN does.
Season 3 of MERLIN debuts on Friday, January 7, 2011 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on Syfy, with actors Colin Morgan and Bradley James playing the roles of Merlin and Arthur, respectively. Arthur is destined to be a king; Merlin is his servant, far removed from royalty. Arthur is spoiled and selfish; Merlin harbors a secret that, if discovered, would mean certain death.
Yet, they have a relationship built on mutual trust and growing respect, and both actors say they’ve become enamored of their characters – and the rapport between the royal heir and the young warlock.
“Of course, we’re following the story through Merlin’s eyes, but it is Arthur’s journey and how he becomes king,” James explains. “He has had a most gradual progression as a character. In Season 1, he was effectively a complete prat, and he wouldn’t have picked up many friends! But he found himself going through various trials, a lot of the time with Merlin by his side, and he’s becoming a lot more sympathetic because of it.”
Simultaneously, Merlin has become more aware of his role in helping Arthur ascend to the throne. “In this season, you’re beginning to see those elements of the legend as Merlin becomes more of an adviser to Arthur. There’s a definite shift in mood and atmosphere.”
Still, there’s a lot of room for humor, which is underscored by Merlin’s self-awareness that he will play an important role in the shaping of the future king – which is coupled with Arthur’s own complete ignorance of his destiny or that his servant is also a powerful warlock in a kingdom where magic is outlawed.
“Arthur is completely clueless,” James laughs. “He’s utterly oblivious to the situation.”
For three seasons, both James and Morgan – both of whom had never played a lead in a TV series previously – have worked arduous hours onstage in Cardiff, Wales, as well as on location at the Chateau de Pierrefonds just outside Paris. That has led them to develop an off-camera friendship, as well.
“I find myself spending endless amounts of time with Colin,” James says. “Everyone else dips in and out and goes home, but we’re always there.” Still, given the end result of a series that is viewed by millions of people in more than 180 countries around the world, “Your social life disappears, perhaps, too, but I suppose it’s a small price to pay!”
Discover the magic and adventure of MERLIN when Season 3 debuts at Friday, January 7, 2011 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT only on Syfy.
(Information provided courtesy of Fremantle Media.)
