Merlin: The Diamond Of The Day

Tuesday, 11 December 2012 - Reported by John Bowman

The BBC One fantasy drama Merlin draws to a close later this month with the two-part story The Diamond Of The Day.

Written by Jake Michie and directed by Justin Molotnikov, it guest-stars Erin Richards as Eira, John Lynch as Balinor, and Peter Guinness as Ari.

Part 1: High in the mountains a great horde gathers. Morgana prepares for war, with a vengeful Mordred at her side. Merlin feels the weight of his destiny like never before as the ancient prophecies play out with terrifying accuracy. But before he can save his beloved Camelot, he must save himself. For it is not just the kingdom Morgana wishes to destroy – it is also Emrys.

Part 2: And so it seems the Prophets did not lie. As the great battle rages on Camlann's mighty plain, Merlin faces his moment of destiny. Can he find the strength to save the man he made a King, the Camelot they fought to build, and the brotherhood they shared?

Part one airs on Saturday 22nd December at 7.55pm, with the second and concluding part - the final episode of the show - being broadcast on Monday 24th December at 8.15pm.

Another set of pictures from the final episode has been released by the BBC:

A set from the last episode was also released by the BBC last month.

In addition, to mark the end of the series as a whole, a video interview with Colin Morgan, who plays Merlin, has been released by the BBC, in which the actor reflects on the show:

Colin Morgan reflects, via BBC iPlayer

FILTER: - Merlin

Merlin: The Drawing Of The Dark

Thursday, 6 December 2012 - Reported by John Bowman

Pictures from episode 11 of Merlin were released by the BBC today.

Written by Julian Jones and directed by Declan O'Dwyer, The Drawing Of The Dark guest-stars Alexandra Dowling as Kara and has been confirmed to air at 8.15pm on Saturday 15th December.

Mordred finds himself torn between loyalty and love, but little does he realise that the path he chooses will shape Camelot's destiny. As the drums of war beat ever louder, a desperate Merlin feels trapped by the cruel circle of fate. Is he powerless to stop his dreams of Albion from crumbling to dust?

FILTER: - Merlin

Merlin Episode 12 Pictures And Synopsis

Wednesday, 5 December 2012 - Reported by John Bowman

A quartet of pictures from the penultimate episode of Merlin was released today by the BBC.

The title is yet to be confirmed by the BBC but it will be the first instalment of a two-parter believed to be called The Diamond Of The Day, which will end the show's final series.

It guest-stars Peter Guinness as Ari and is currently scheduled to air on BBC One at 7.55pm on Saturday 22nd December.

High in the mountains a great horde gathers. Morgana prepares for war, with a vengeful Mordred at her side. Merlin feels the weight of his destiny like never before as the ancient prophecies play out with terrifying accuracy. But before he can save his beloved Camelot, he must save himself. For it is not just the kingdom Morgana wishes to destroy – it is also Emrys.

As previously reported, pictures from episode 11 will be released tomorrow. Images from the show's final episode were released last month.

UPDATE - 4.25pm: The final episode of Merlin will air on BBC One on Monday 24th December at 8.15pm, it was announced today.

FILTER: - Merlin

Merlin: The Kindness Of Strangers

Saturday, 1 December 2012 - Reported by John Bowman

The BBC today released a set of ten images from episode 10 of the current - and now known to be final - series of Merlin.

The Kindness Of Strangers, written by Richard McBrien and directed by Declan O'Dwyer, guest-stars Sorcha Cusack as Finna, Barry Aird as Beroun, and Gary Lewis as Alator. It is currently scheduled to air at 7.55pm on Saturday 8th December.

Morgana leads a terrifying manhunt in pursuit of her old foe Alator of the Catha, for she knows without doubt that he can tell her exactly where to find Emrys. Merlin's life has never been in more danger, so when the mysterious Finna offers to help him is he right to trust her or will he find himself cornered with nowhere to run?

Pictures from episode 11 - whose title is yet to be confirmed - will be released this coming Thursday.

Earlier this week, it was announced that this series of Merlin - its fifth - would be the last one.

UPDATE - MONDAY 3RD DECEMBER: Episode 11 will be called The Drawing Of The Dark.

FILTER: - Merlin

Merlin: With All My Heart

Tuesday, 27 November 2012 - Reported by John Bowman

Pictures from With All My Heart - the ninth episode of the current series of Merlin - were released by the BBC today.

Merlin knows he must act fast before Morgana's twisted control over Gwen gets further out of hand. But only the most powerful magic can save the Queen and this will not be easy, even for Merlin. As the High Priestess tightens her grip on Camelot, one thing is clear - she will not give up her puppet without a fight.

Written by Richard McBrien and directed by Alice Troughton, the episode, which guest-stars Maureen Carr as The Dochraid, will air on BBC One on Saturday 1st December at 8pm.

FILTER: - Merlin

Merlin To End After Current Series

Monday, 26 November 2012 - Reported by John Bowman

The current series of Merlin will be the show's last, the BBC announced today.

Created by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Julian Murphy, and Johnny Capps, the first series began airing on BBC One on 20th September 2008, with a new series shown every year since. Now on its fifth season, the fantasy drama is scheduled to bow out on Saturday 29th December with the promise of "a spectacular finale".

Starring Colin Morgan as Merlin, Bradley James as Arthur Pendragon, Katie McGrath as Morgana, Angel Coulby as Guinevere, Anthony Head as Uther Pendragon, Richard Wilson as Gaius, and John Hurt as the voice of the Great Dragon, viewing figures over the years have ranged between 5.37 million (series 1, episode 5: Lancelot) and 8.39 million (series 4, episode 12: Sword In The Stone, Part I). The current series average is 6.94 million. Since 2008, the show has been sold to more than 50 broadcasters in 183 countries.

Guest stars across the series have included Michelle Ryan, Santiago Cabrera, Emilia Fox, Asa Butterfield, Mackenzie Crook, Adrian Lester, Warwick Davis, Miriam Margolyes, Eddie Marsan, Will Mellor, James Cosmo, Lindsay Duncan, Janet Montgomery, James Fox, Tom Ellis, Nathaniel Parker, Michael Cronin, Charles Dance, Gemma Jones, Sarah Parish, Miranda Raison, Ben Daniels, and John Lynch.

At the San Diego Comic-Con earlier this year, Capps said that a trilogy of films may be made after the fifth series of Merlin, but nothing more has been said about that in the wake of today's announcement. In a joint statement today, he and Murphy said:

This is the series where the storylines truly reach their apex. We always felt the story of the legend was best told across five series, leading to a spectacular finale that draws on the best-known elements of this much-loved story and brings to a conclusion the battle for Camelot.

We'd like to thank the amazing cast and crew for their professionalism and dedication, the BBC, [investor] Fremantle Media Enterprises, and all of our partners globally for their incredible support and encouragement across the last five series. But chiefly, our thanks go to Merlin's remarkable and loyal audience around the world for their enthusiasm for the characters and Camelot universe.

The series was made by Shine TV for BBC Cymru Wales, and BBC One controller Danny Cohen said:

Merlin's mix of magic, adventure, and humour quickly became a hit with BBC One audiences and has continued to thrill families over the past five years on Saturday nights. I admire the creators' decision to end Merlin on a high, but also know that we will miss it in the BBC One schedule.

On behalf of BBC One I would like to thank Shine and all those involved in the making of the show both on and off screen. I hope fans will tune in over the coming weeks to see the spectacularly dramatic final episodes, and we have ambitious plans for new drama in the Saturday evening slot in 2013.

Members of the main cast have each had something to say about the show coming to an end.

Colin Morgan:

From the beginning this was always going to be a five-year journey that we embarked on and I think the show has run its natural course. The show has grown and grown each year and now we've arrived at its strongest point and we've achieved what we set out to do. I know this is the end, and I know this is goodbye, but thank you for being there on the journey with us because it has been a lot of fun!

Bradley James:

The Merlin years have provided me with fond memories, great experiences, and beloved friends, and all the while we were supported by a devoted fan base who made the show a unique, surreal, and special experience. My words won't do justice to the honour of being King Arthur, so I shall just say that it has been an exceptional one and that knowing the show has been a part of so many people's lives has been humbling.

Katie McGrath:

I have always said the success of the show has stemmed from our audience being able to relate to the characters on different levels. Being based on the universally-loved Arthurian legend is only a tiny part of its success - it's a story about acceptance and growing up. The breathtaking finale of this series leaves you with no doubt that characters have been on their journeys and had their stories told - it's completely the right time to draw our telling of the story to a close.

Angel Coulby:

It has been a very special and memorable five years making Merlin. I feel extremely proud to have been part of such a brilliant show and such a great team. I think we've told the story we set out to tell, which ends with the fantastic two-part finale by the way! I believe the key to any successful show is making sure you leave people wanting more!

Richard Wilson:

Firstly, I would like to say that I'm extremely sad that Merlin has come to an end. Speaking as Gaius, I feel I have mentored the young wizard as far as I can - he is much smarter and greater than me now and I am simply exhausted!

FILTER: - Merlin

Previous 6 Stories

Merlin: The Diamond Of The Day

Merlin: The Drawing Of The Dark

Merlin Episode 12 Pictures And Synopsis

Merlin: The Kindness Of Strangers

Merlin: With All My Heart

Merlin To End After Current Series

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