Merlin (2008 TV series) explained

Genre:Medieval fantasy
Adventure
Company:Shine TV
Creator:Julian Jones
Jake Michie
Johnny Capps
Julian Murphy
Composer:Rob Lane
Rohan Stevenson
Theme Music Composer:Rob Lane
Opentheme:"Merlin's Arrival at Camelot"
Endtheme:"The Call of Destiny"
Country:United Kingdom
Language:English
Num Series:5
Num Episodes:65
List Episodes:List of Merlin episodes
Producer:Sara Hamill
Executive Producer:Julie Gardner
Bethan Jones[1]
Runtime:45–50 minutes
Network:BBC One
BBC One HD (Series 4 – Series 5)
Related:Merlin: Secrets and Magic

Merlin (also known as The Adventures of Merlin) is a British fantasy-adventure drama television programme, loosely based on the Arthurian legends regarding the close relations of Merlin and King Arthur. Created by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy for the BBC, it was broadcast for five series on BBC One between 20 September 2008 and 24 December 2012. The programme starred Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby, Richard Wilson, Anthony Head, and John Hurt.

The programme is a reimagining of the legend, in which young warlock Merlin is sent to the kingdom of Camelot by his mother because of his "special gift". After saving Prince Arthur's life in the first episode, he becomes Arthur's manservant. Merlin soon learns that the reason for his gift is to protect Arthur, but Merlin must hide his powers because magic was banned in Camelot by Arthur's father, King Uther Pendragon, and those caught practising it are executed. Over the years and after several adventures together, Merlin and Arthur become trusted friends and companions, with the former doing his best to influence the latter into becoming the king he is destined to be.

Merlin was nominated for several awards, winning the 2011 British Academy Television Award for best visual effects. Broadcasting rights were sold to over 180 countries.

Series overview

Merlin (Colin Morgan) is a young, powerful warlock who arrives in the kingdom of Camelot after his mother arranges for him to stay with the court physician, Gaius (Richard Wilson). He discovers that the king, Uther Pendragon (Anthony Head), outlawed magic twenty years earlier in an event known as the Great Purge and imprisoned the last dragon, Kilgharrah (voice of John Hurt), in the caves beneath the castle. After hearing a mysterious voice inside his head, Merlin makes his way to the cavern beneath the keep to find that he was hearing the dragon's voice. The Great Dragon tells Merlin that he has an important destiny: to protect Uther's only son, Prince Arthur (Bradley James), who will return magic to Camelot and unite the land of Albion.

When Merlin meets Arthur, Merlin considers him to be an arrogant bully, and Arthur, likewise, is less than impressed with Merlin. After saving the prince's life, Merlin is appointed as his personal manservant. The two experience many adventures, over the course of which they come to respect and trust one another. But when Uther's actions eventually cause his ward, Morgana (Katie McGrath), to turn against Camelot and pursue a path of evil, Merlin and Arthur must join forces with friends, old and new, to protect their home and secure their destinies.

Cast

See main article: List of Merlin characters.

Episodes

See main article: List of Merlin episodes.

Production

The programme was conceived by Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps.[2] The BBC had been keen on showing a drama based on the character of Merlin for some time. A year before the Shine series was initiated, writer and producer Chris Chibnall had been developing a project aimed at a BBC One Sunday night slot, but this was ultimately not commissioned.[3] The Shine version of the project was put into development in late 2006, commissioned by Controller of BBC One Peter Fincham and BBC Head of Fiction Jane Tranter, with Fincham keen on having more series on his channel which embodied "three generation TV – that's TV you can watch with your grandparents and children. There's not enough of that about."

The series went into production in March 2008,[4] with filming in Wales and France (at the Château de Pierrefonds). Two Kent locations were also used: The Barons Hall and Garden Tower at Penshurst Place, and Chislehurst Caves for the first series.[5] The series was produced by Shine in association with BBC Wales, whose Head of Drama Julie Gardner was executive producer for the BBC. Doctor Who chief writer Russell T Davies had been an important influence on the tone and style of Merlin. CGI special effects for the series were provided by The Mill. The Old English for spells was written by university scholar and medievalist Dr. Mark Faulkner,[6] and later by the script editing team.[7] An initial series of 13 episodes, Merlin began broadcasting in the UK on 20 September 2008. A trailer was prepared in advance for television, cinemas, and online.

US broadcaster NBC began airing Merlin on 21 June 2009 but after a decline in viewers, it was moved to cable network Syfy where series 2 began on 2 April 2010. On 19 September 2009, series 2 began airing on BBC One.[8] On 5 September 2010, BFI Southbank in London previewed Episodes 1 and 2 of series 3 for its September Film Funday programme.[9] A ten-episode fourth series was confirmed on 2 October 2010, though it was rumoured to air in early 2012, later than its usual slot in autumn, so that it would not clash with Doctor Who which would possibly air during the same period.[10] In March 2011, this was revised, and the fourth series was extended to the standard 13 episodes.[11] The fourth series was broadcast in the United States on the Syfy Channel "in early 2012."[12] In UK, the fourth series premiered on 1 October 2011.

Capps and Murphy confirmed on 24 July that BBC had commissioned a fifth series.[13] Filming for the fifth series began March 2012 in Pierrefonds, France and near Cardiff, Wales. 13 episodes were ordered.[14] Series 5 started broadcasting on 6 October 2012.[15] On 26 November 2012, it was announced that series 5 of Merlin would be the last, with a two-part special concluding the series over Christmas.[16] [17]

Broadcast

A documentary series called Merlin: Secrets and Magic explains how the series was created. Apart from the initial 50-minute special, which was broadcast directly after the series two premiere, all new 50-minute episodes were shown after each Merlin episode repeat on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, or Friday evening on BBC Three.[18]

In April 2008, United States broadcasting rights were purchased by NBC,[19] where it was shown on Sundays at 8 pm (EST), starting 21 June 2009.[20] This made it the first British drama in over 30 years to be shown on US network television, as opposed to PBS or cable.[21] The programme moved to Syfy, a cable channel also owned by NBC, for the second series, which premiered on 2 April 2010.[22] Syfy aired the third series in early 2011, after the conclusion of the initial broadcast on BBC.[23] It was later announced the series would air after WWE SmackDown beginning 7 January 2011 at 10 pm (9 pm Central).[24] The distributor, FremantleMedia Enterprises, also sold broadcast rights to CTV in Canada, Network Ten in Australia and Prime in New Zealand. It aired on Choice TV.[25] [26] The series was broadcast in 183 countries.[27]

Home media

Series one and two were released on DVD in the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia. Series three is available in the United Kingdom, and was released in Australia on 4 August 2011. Accompanying box sets are featurettes, video diaries, and commentaries.[28] [29] [30] Behind the Magic, a two-part overview of making Merlin is included with the UK series one box set, while the documentary series, Secrets and Magic, is included with series two. In Australia "The Complete Collection" boxset (23-Discs, Seasons 1–5) was released on 13 May 2015.[31]

SeriesUKUS
Complete Box Set		Australia
Complete Box Set
Volume 1Volume 2Complete Box Set
Release dateDiscsRelease dateDiscsRelease dateDiscsRelease dateDiscsRelease dateDiscs
1st24 November 2008[32] 39 February 2009[33] 35 October 2009620 April 2010[34] 630 July 2009[35] 4
2nd23 November 2009[36] 38 February 2010[37] 38 February 2010618 January 2011[38] 622 July 2010[39] 4
3rd15 November 2010[40] 324 January 2011[41] 324 January 2011517 January 2012[42] 52 August 2011[43] 5
4th28 November 2011[44] 323 January 2012[46] 321 January 2013[50]

Notes and References

  1. Merlin's secrets revealed . 23 July 2008 . BBC Press Office . 23 July 2008 .
  2. Web site: Sweeney . Mark . 29 August 2008 . Merlin: BBC cues up TV and cinema ads . 30 August 2008 . The Guardian . UK.
  3. Web site: Deans . Jason . 7 December 2006 . BBC 1 seeks magic touch for Merlin drama . 30 August 2008 . The Guardian . UK.
  4. Richard Wilson and Anthony Head lead cast in Merlin, a fantasy drama for BBC One . 17 March 2008 . BBC Press Office . 4 April 2008 .
  5. Web site: Kent Film Office . Kent Film Office Merlin Film Focus . 4 February 2008 . 4 June 2014.
  6. Web site: Merlin's magic words were actually Mark's . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064543/http://www.anglosaxonmonk.com/blog/merlins-magic-words-were-actually-marks . 4 March 2016 . 11 January 2016 . The Anglo-Saxon Monk.
  7. "The Making of Merlin" from Merlin: The Complete Second Series . 8 February 2010 . DVD . 2entertain . United Kingdom . Alice Troughton, Dave Moore, Jeremy Webb, Metin Hüseyin.
  8. Web site: Network TV BBC Week 38: Saturday 19 September 2009 . 9 September 2009 . BBC Press Office.
  9. Web site: 10 August 2010 . Film Funday TV Preview: Merlin . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100830032022/http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank/film_programme/regular_strands/film_funday/film_funday_tv_preview_merlin . 30 August 2010 . BFI Southbank.
  10. Web site: 25 October 2010 . 'Merlin' renewed for fourth series – Merlin News – TV . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20101231123535/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/s53/merlin/news/a283945/merlin-renewed-for-fourth-series.html . 31 December 2010 . 16 May 2012 . Digital Spy.
  11. Web site: 28 March 2011 . Colin Morgan ('Merlin') interview . 16 May 2012 . Cultbox.co.uk.
  12. Web site: 13 July 2011 . Merlin series four on Syfy . 16 May 2012 . Tvseriesfinale.com.
  13. Web site: Keisya Prasetyawan . 28 July 2011 . Merlin renewed for fifth series by BBC . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120314211028/http://www.atvtoday.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1668:merlin-renewed-for-fifth-season-by-bbc&catid=2:cult-sci-fi&Itemid=5 . 14 March 2012 . 2 August 2011 . Atvtoday.co.uk.
  14. Web site: 25 July 2011 . Merlin commissioned for fifth series | TV: Latest News | STV Entertainment . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111027072224/http://entertainment.stv.tv/tv/263726-merlin-commissioned-for-fifth-series/ . 27 October 2011 . 2 August 2011 . Entertainment.stv.tv.
  15. Web site: BBC One Merlin, series 5 – Episode guide . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120902174049/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00wk9q7/episodes/guide . 2 September 2012 . 29 September 2012.
  16. Web site: 26 November 2012 . Merlin to cast final spell as creators reveal that current series will be the last . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20121126203933/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/merlin-final.html . 26 November 2012 . 26 November 2012.
  17. News: Merlin to end with a two-part special this Christmas . en . Telly Visions . . 6 September 2017.
  18. Web site: Merlin Secrets and Magic – Next on – BBC Three . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180128150529/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mjrwk/broadcasts/2009/12 . 28 January 2018 . 5 October 2019 . BBC . en-GB.
  19. News: Holmwood . Leigh . 3 April 2008 . NBC buys BBC family drama Merlin . . 4 April 2008.
  20. Web site: Merlin . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20090417004715/http://www.nbc.com/Primetime/Merlin/ . 17 April 2009 . 25 April 2009 . NBC.
  21. Web site: Holmwood . Leigh . 6 June 2009 . BBC drama Merlin to air on NBC . 13 June 2009 . The Guardian.
  22. Web site: "Dinoshark", "Merlin" among Syfy's latest acquisitions . live . https://archive.today/20120911190540/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=8504 . 11 September 2012 . 23 March 2010 . TheFutonCritic.com . Breaking News.
  23. Web site: 11 August 2010 . Syfy picks up series 3 of Merlin . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120709070013/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Exclusive-Syfy-Merlin-1021732.aspx . 9 July 2012 . 16 May 2012 . TV Guide . Exclusive . Today's News: Our Take.
  24. Web site: 9 December 2010 . Syfy sets Merlin series 3 premiere date . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110129014528/http://www.daemonstv.com/2010/12/09/syfy-sets-merlin-season-3-premiere-date/ . 29 January 2011 . 26 December 2010 . Daemonstv.com.
  25. News: 19 October 2008 . CTV secures Canadian broadcast rights to 'Merlin' . channelcanada.com . dead . 29 August 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100208034000/http://channelcanada.com/Article2510.html . 8 February 2010.
  26. News: Hurrell . Will . 7 August 2008 . BBC's Merlin heading Down Under . . live . 13 September 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080828003210/http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2008/08/bbcs_merlin_heading_down_under.html . 28 August 2008.
  27. Web site: 2010-10-25 . BBC conjures up more 'Merlin' . 2023-06-26 . Variety . en-US.
  28. Web site: Merlin – series 1 – complete [DVD] [2008] ... |website=Amazon UK |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001NN413A |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213312/http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001NN413A/ |archive-date=28 June 2011 |access-date=17 July 2010.
  29. Web site: Merlin – complete series 2 box set [DVD] [2009] ... |website=Amazon UK |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002ZG7PKU |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213331/http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002ZG7PKU/ |archive-date=28 June 2011 |access-date=17 July 2010.
  30. Web site: Merlin – series 3 – complete [DVD] [2010] ... |website=Amazon UK |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0042SSO1I/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016030924/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0042SSO1I/ |archive-date=16 October 2022 |access-date=25 January 2010.
  31. Web site: Adventures Of Merlin – Series 1–5 Boxset, The . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190905213101/https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2295687/Adventures-Of-Merlin---Series-1-5--Boxset-The . 5 September 2019 . 5 September 2019 . Sanity.
  32. Web site: Merlin vol. 1 [DVD] [2008] ... |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001F3QJL0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213348/http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001F3QJL0/ |archive-date=28 June 2011 |access-date=17 July 2010 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk.
  33. Web site: Merlin vol. 2 [DVD] [2008] ... |website=Amazon UK |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001M0MDKM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213441/http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001M0MDKM/ |archive-date=28 June 2011 |access-date=17 July 2010.
  34. Web site: Merlin: The complete first series ... . Amazon . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110629172239/http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LF347E/ . 29 June 2011 . 17 July 2010.
  35. Web site: 4 August 2010 . Adventures of Merlin, The – series 1 (4-disc set) (new packaging) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130703184951/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/adventures-of-merlin-the-series-1-4-disc-set-new-packaging/dp/814364 . 3 July 2013 . 4 January 2013 . Ezydvd.com.au .
  36. Web site: Merlin – series 2 vol. 1 [DVD] [2009] ... |website=Amazon UK |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002KSA4AQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213458/http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002KSA4AQ/ |archive-date=28 June 2011 |access-date=17 July 2010.
  37. Web site: Merlin – series 2 vol. 2 [DVD] [2009] ... |website=Amazon UK |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002SZQCC0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213520/http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002SZQCC0/ |archive-date=28 June 2011 |access-date=17 July 2010.
  38. Web site: Merlin DVD news: Announcement for Merlin – The Complete 2nd Season TVShowsOnDVD.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171213010152/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Merlin-Season-2/14621 . 13 December 2017 . 12 December 2017 . www.tvshowsondvd.com .
  39. Web site: 6 January 2011 . Adventures of Merlin, The – series 2 (4-disc set) (new packaging) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130703185002/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/adventures-of-merlin-the-series-2-4-disc-set-new-packaging/dp/817413 . 3 July 2013 . 4 January 2013 . Ezydvd.com.au .
  40. Web site: Merlin – series 3 vol. 1 DVD . Amazon UK . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213532/http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0042SSO0O/ . 28 June 2011 . 26 September 2010.
  41. Web site: Merlin – series 3 – volume 2 DVD . Amazon UK . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110628213601/http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0042SSO18/ . 28 June 2011 . 26 September 2010.
  42. Web site: BBCAmerica Shop – Merlin: series 3 – DVD . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111020030314/http://www.bbcamericashop.com/dvd/merlin-season-3-16279.html . 20 October 2011 . 13 October 2011 . BBCAmericashop.com.
  43. Web site: 2 August 2011 . Adventures of Merlin, The – series 3 (5-disc set) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130703185159/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/adventures-of-merlin-the-series-3-5-disc-set/dp/820130 . 3 July 2013 . 4 January 2013 . Ezydvd.com.au .
  44. Web site: Merlin series 4 – volume 2 BBC [DVD] ... ]. Amazon UK . 16 May 2012 . Film & TV.
  45. Web site: Merlin serie 4 volume 1 BBC [DVD] ... |website=Amazon UK |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005JE2E8I |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214115921/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005JE2E8I |archive-date=14 December 2019 |access-date=16 May 2012 |department=Film & TV}}| 3| 23 January 2012[44] .
  46. Web site: Adventures of Merlin, The: series 4 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130703185235/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/adventures-of-merlin-the-series-4/dp/6109753 . 3 July 2013 . 4 January 2013 . Ezydvd.com.au .
  47. Web site: Merlin series 5: volume 1 [DVD] ... ]. Amazon UK . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016030926/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Merlin-5-1-DVD/dp/B0086O8SK6/ref=sr_1_112?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1347631833&sr=1-112 . 16 October 2022 . 4 January 2013 . Film & TV.
  48. Web site: 17 November 2012 . Merlin: series 5, vol. 2 [DVD] ... ]. Amazon UK . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221016030926/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Merlin-5-2-BBC-DVD/dp/B0086O8SX8/ref=sr_1_3?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1351341023&sr=1-3 . 16 October 2022 . 4 January 2013 . Film & TV.
  49. Web site: Moves . Winning . Merlin – complete BBC series 4 [DVD] ... |website=Amazon UK |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005S0HNU2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016030924/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005S0HNU2 |archive-date=16 October 2022 |access-date=16 May 2012 |department=Film & TV}}| 5| 15 January 2013| 4| 1 March 2012[46] | 5|-! 5th| 26 November 2012[47] | 3| 21 January 2013[48] .
  50. Web site: Merlin DVD news: Announcement for Merlin – the complete 5th series . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130602014152/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Merlin-Season-5/17998 . 2 June 2013 . 1 July 2013 . TVShowsOnDVD.com .
  51. Web site: Adventures of Merlin, The: series 5 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924091909/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/search?q=merlin+series+5&t=all . 24 September 2015 . 4 January 2013 . Ezydvd.com.au.
  52. Web site: Merlin: The Complete Collection . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210417090356/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Merlin-Complete-Collection-Colin-Morgan/dp/B07GRVC34J . 17 April 2021 . 18 February 2021 . Amazon.
  53. Web site: Carlsson, Mikael . 29 October 2009 . MovieScore Media to release second 'Merlin' . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091106053226/http://moviescoremagazine.com/2009/10/moviescore-media-to-release-second-merlin/ . 6 November 2009 . MovieScore Magazine.
  54. Web site: Broxton, Jonathan . The Tenth Annual Movie Music UK Awards 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100408024323/http://www.moviemusicuk.us/award08.htm . 8 April 2010 . moviemusicuk.us.
  55. Web site: Premios Gold Spirit – VIII edición (2008) Sala de Trofeos . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100923073923/http://bsospirit.com/goldspirits/goldawards.php . 23 September 2010 . bsospirit.com (Spanish language official site).
  56. Web site: 18 July 2009 . Ubeda 2009 – Palmarès des Goldspirit Awards – Desplat vainqueur! . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110725173545/http://www.cinezik.org/infos/affinfo.php?titre0=20090718184823 . 25 July 2011 . 12 August 2010 . cinezik.org (French language official site).
  57. Web site: 2008 IFMCA Awards . live . https://archive.today/20180123033226/http://filmmusiccritics.org/awards-archive/2008-ifmca-awards/ . 23 January 2018 . 6 February 2014 . filmmusiccritics.org.
  58. Web site: Rob Lane: MERLIN Original Television Soundtrack . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110724113955/http://www.moviescoremedia.com/merlin.html . 24 July 2011 . MovieScore Media.
  59. Web site: Rob Lane & Rohan Stevenson: Merlin: series two original television soundtrack . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100329233300/http://www.moviescoremedia.com/merlin2.html . 29 March 2010 . MovieScore Media.
  60. Web site: Merlin: Series Three (Rob Lane, Rohan Stevenson & James Gosling) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221131239/http://moviescoremedia.com/merlin-series-three-rob-lane-rohan-stevenson-james-gosling/ . 21 February 2014 . 6 February 2014 . MovieScore Media.
  61. Web site: Merlin: Series Four (Rob Lane, Rohan Stevenson, James Gosling & Michal Pavlicek) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221131232/http://moviescoremedia.com/merlin-series-four-rob-lane-rohan-stevenson-james-gosling-michal-pavlicek/ . 21 February 2014 . 6 February 2014 . MovieScore Media.
  62. Web site: New Merlin magazine out today in the UK . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20111021142939/http://downthetubescomics.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-merlin-magazine-out-today-in-uk.html . 21 October 2011 . 14 September 2011 . downthetubes British Comics news site.
  63. Web site: Merlin: The Dragon Tower . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140725082059/https://www.warwick-castle.com/explore/merlin-the-dragon-tower.aspx . 25 July 2014 . 17 July 2014 . warwick-castle.com .
  64. Web site: The Warwick Courier . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170119035559/http://www.warwickcourier.co.uk/news/merlin-comes-to-warwick-1-2958164 . 19 January 2017 . 16 August 2011.
  65. Web site: Merlin Games . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211117150902/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/gj8wN9lsv6qYMgf0dFCxhz/games . 17 November 2021 . 7 December 2020 . BBC.
  66. Web site: 'Merlin: The Game' announced for Facebook . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210624060852/https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a388038/merlin-the-game-announced-for-facebook/ . 24 June 2021 . 7 December 2020 . digitalspy.com.
  67. Web site: IMDB: Merlin Awards . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170114061137/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1199099/awards . 14 January 2017 . 8 September 2020.
  68. Web site: Merlin complete BBC series 5 [DVD] ... | website=Amazon UK |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Merlin-Complete-BBC-5-DVD/dp/B0086O8TFA/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1351341023&sr=1-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016030925/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Merlin-Complete-BBC-5-DVD/dp/B0086O8TFA/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1351341023&sr=1-1 |archive-date=16 October 2022 |access-date=4 January 2013 |department=Film & TV}}| 5| 23 April 2013[50] | 4| 13 February 2013[51] | 5|-! 1st–5th| | | | | 28 October 2013[52] | 27| 4 November 2014| 27| | |}

    Soundtrack

    A soundtrack for the first two series featuring music from selected episodes was released on the MovieScore Media record label.[53] Merlin composer Robert Lane was nominated for Best Original Score for Television for the 10th annual Movie Music UK Awards (2008),[54] the 8th edition GoldSpirit Awards (2008),[55] [56] and the 5th annual International Film Music Critics Association (IFMCA) Awards (2008).[57] In early October 2012 MovieScore Media released the soundtrack from the third and fourth series along with that from the start of the fifth series.

    Series Release Date Catalog Number
    Merlin series 1 4 November 2008 MMS08021[58]
    Merlin series 2 17 November 2009 MMS09027[59]
    Merlin series 3 2 October 2012 (digital) / 12 November 2012 (CD)MMS12010[60]
    Merlin series 3 & 4, Best of 2 October 2012 (digital) / 12 November 2012 (CD)MMS12011[61]

    In other media

    Official magazine

    UK publisher Attic Brand Media launched an official magazine for the show in September 2011 featuring articles, puzzles and a comic strip written by Damian Kelleher and drawn by Lee Carey.[62] The monthly magazine cost £3.20 per issue and was distributed in UK newsagents.

    Exhibitions

    Merlin: The Dragon Tower

    A Merlin attraction was created at Warwick Castle entitled Merlin: The Dragon Tower, which featured a walkthrough, a projection of Kilgharrah the dragon, Merlin from the BBC TV Series Merlin, or at least a true-to-life wax model-which was created with over 300 measurements—and a catalogue of reference shots of Colin Morgan. Upon seeing his wax work, Morgan said, "Little did I think that when I visited Madame Tussauds as a kid that I would have the honour of having the same fantastic team making a wax figure of myself. It's truly amazing and I can't praise their hard work enough in creating such a brilliant life-like me."[63]

    The wax model cost £150,000, and the entire castle experience was part of a £3 million investment by the Merlin Entertainment Group to promote the show.[64] The attraction closed in 2014 and is now the site of the Warwick Castle Time Tower.

    Games

    The BBC released two small Merlin-themed video games on the BBC website: a tower defense game called 'Camelot Defence', and an adventure puzzle game named 'Quest for the Mortaeus'.[65] In 2012, a 'real-time cooperative' video game adaptation named 'Merlin: The Game' was announced and launched on Facebook.[66] It has since been taken offline.

    Awards and nominations

    External links

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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Merlin (2008 TV series)".

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