The BBC series didn’t exactly bring “magical” ratings to NBC during its short run last summer but Merlin’s second season will still be seen here in the states.
Merlin follows the life of the legendary wizard in early adulthood, living in the court of King Uther, Arthur’s father. The series stars Colin Morgan as Merlin, Bradley James as Prince Arthur, Anthony Head as King Uther, Katie McGrath as Morgana, Angel Coulby as Gwen, Richard Wilson as Gaius, and John Hurt as the voice of the Great Dragon.
A production of BBC One, Merlin has been a big enough success in the UK to be renewed for seasons two and three. NBC picked up the supernatural show and decided to run the first season during the summer of 2009. The ratings weren’t very good and the network has been mum on any plans to bring it back.
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Now, there’s word that Merlin is indeed coming back to the US — but not on NBC. Word is that Syfy (also owned by NBC Universal) will begin airing season two of Merlin on Friday, April 2nd; paired with the returning Stargate Universe.
If you need a refresher on season one, Syfy will be airing the episodes during an all-day marathon on March 28th. You can also purchase the official DVD release
What do you think? Are you glad to hear Merlin is returning to the US? Does it matter to you that it’s on Syfy and not NBC?
doesn’t matter what channel it’s on just as long as i can find it
Glad to hear Merlin will at least be back. NBC makes some of the lamest decisions about programming. SYFY will hopefully be glad they picked it up. I love the show as does my Husband and son. Can’t imagine that there are not alot more people out there that would love this show.
I liked Merlin, so I will watch it if I can find it, as long as it has the same cast. However , it would be nice if it were on one of the main networks so that everyone could see it.
By the way, does anyone know WHY the SciFi channel changed their name to SyFy?!? After all, “Sci Fi” has long been the accepted abbreviation for “Science Fiction”; and “SyFy” is just wierd; so what is the point of their changing from an immediately recognzable name to a name that makes no sense?
Hi Betty. Here is the reason in their own words. Simply a way to hopefully change their image. I hope this is helpful to you.
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/03/sci_fi_channel_aims_to_shed_ge.php
This is great news! The way NBC’s ratings have been going lately it will probably do just as well on SyFy. I am just glad to know it will be back in the states on any network. Chuck is about the only thing NBC has going for it these days.
[…] tale that was successful in the U.K. but when aired on NBC failed to garner an audience, looks to return to the U.S. but will shift to Syfy (another NBC Universal channel) in April with the airing of the second […]
i am soooooooooooooooooooooooo excited. i have been trying to find out how to get season 1 on dvd forever! and season 2 is soooooooo much better!!!! i adore arthur & gwen!!!!
Whole family is glad season 2 is coming back to US. Hopefully season 3 will come to US too. Hope NBC will air season 2 on regular public airwaves. This is the only way our family can watch it. We plan to buy DVD of season 1.
I’m thrilled that Merlin is returnng to the US! I LOVE this show! At first I had my doubts, but it was EXCELLENT from the very first episode! I don’t care really if NBC or SyFy airs it, but I do agree it would get more ratings if shown on NBC. Great show, great cast and my six year old loves it as well!
I’m not at all happy about this. I live in Canada, I don’t get the Syfy channel. At least if it is on NBC I would be able to watch it. My daughter and I both enjoyed the show.
I love this show to death. I also love watching BBC America, so I love a lot of British television shows, wishing that they would show a lot more out here that they do out there. I have watched Season 2 online (Youtube), since people post all the episodes, so I’ve seen it. It’s BRILLIANT. SO much better. But, it doesn’t matter to me, I love the Syfy channel too, so it won’t be bad for me. I don’t really like NBC that much anymore, anyways. 😉
It’s such a better fit on SyFy. Right now NBC is brand-less and lost. They need to seriously rethink who they are and what market they serve. With the cancellation of Conan in favor of Jay and other gaffes of late, it seems like they’re changing demos with CBS. NBC = Nothing But Codgers!
I am SOOO glad to hear this!!! I don’t care what channel the show is playing on, as long as we get it here! Though I have already seen season 2 (since it’s played in the UK already, you can find it online–sidereel.com has links), I would love to see it on my TV screen. Oh, and let me tell you, the story just gets better!!! Plus that means that DVDs will be released here–since UK DVDs won’t play in our players.
Wish it was on NBC because we don’t have the SyFy channel. At least they’re finally releasing the season 1 DVD.
I would rather it aired on NBC because it might have more viewers there and it is an excellent show, but I just reviewed that will be on US TV soon. I am dying to see season two as is the rest of my family.
Why didn’t BBC America pick this up?
@HerbFinn: Not sure but I suspect that NBC Universal’s deal for season one gave them first right of refusal on season two. There’s also probably more money in that deal than there would be in BBC America airing it.