As Merlin wraps up its second season on the air in the UK, the cast and crew have received some good news. They’ll be going back to work for a third round of episodes.
Merlin tells the story of the legendary wizard’s early adulthood, living in the court of King Uther, Arthur’s father. The series features 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.
In the UK, the ratings were strong enough for BBC One to renew Merlin for a second season back in December 2008. Season two began airing in September 2009 and will finish on December 19th. While viewership has dropped a bit, the ratings are high enough for BBC One to greenlight a third season.
In a statement, Controller Drama Commissioning Ben Stephenson said, “With its mix of magic, adventure and humour, Merlin is perfect Saturday-evening family television, and we are thrilled that Shine Television will be creating a new series for BBC One. I’m looking forward to seeing what adventures our popular young wizard, and his friends in Camelot, will go on in series three.”
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Johnny Capps, Executive Producer of Shine Television (which produces the show), added, “Merlin is ready to burst back onto BBC One with more action, romance and, of course, magic to delight fans of all ages. After the thrilling finale of the current series audiences will be left wondering what happens next — and with so many of Merlin and Arthur’s adventures yet to unfold, we can’t wait to continue the story.”
Unfortunately, it’s still up in the air as to when or if the second or third season of Merlin will be shown in the US. An NBC network spokesperson tells us that the network has yet to make a decision on whether they will air another season. The ratings for season one weren’t very strong so, realistically, the chances don’t look all that good.
If NBC decides to air season two of Merlin, the series probably won’t come back until next summer, at the earliest.
If NBC doesn’t want it, the series could be picked up by another outlet. Or, at the very least, fans will eventually be able to purchase season DVDs. The first season has already been released in the UK and will no doubt be released in the US.
What do you think? Would you like to see NBC air the second and third seasons of Merlin? Would you buy them on DVD?
Image courtesy BBC One.
I really love Merlin. I have watched the DVDs but I wish that season 2 would be shown on NBC. I know a lot of my friends would enjoy the show.
Also, @ Christine. Season 3 of Merlin isn’t on DVD yet. In fact, it was just recently announced that there would be a season 3. I imagine they are only just beginning to film it.
also plz plz send out the DVD’s to Canada and USA
i would deffinitly buy all three seasons for dvd i think merlin is one of the greatest shows ever made!!!!!
I love the show! I think NBC should have Merlin season 2 and 3 air! I think that a lot of people would really get into it if they knew about it. Every time I show people the Season 1 DVDs they watch the entire season. We can’t wait to see season 2!
I would love to see season 2 and 3 on NBC. Watching it online on hulu is how I first got into the show and now it’s one of my absolute favorites. If they released the DVDs, I’d buy them in a heartbeat. I need to introduce more people to the show (already roped a couple of my friends into it and they love it as much as I do now) so having DVDs would make it that much easier.
Christmas started today! I just got all of season 1 and half of season 2 on DVD from amazon.co.uk. And I got a region-free dvd player from amazon.com. I’m in episode 4 now. I’m so excited!
I agree with Sherry, this is a fantastic show and one of the few that both myself and my children enjoy watching together. It would be extremely nice if NBC picked up season two, as well as season 3! We viewed the second season online because we just couldn’t wait to see it, but I’d gladly watch it again if it were aired on t.v. I’m just thrilled that there will be another season, and I’m already impatient for it to come out!
i want to buy the dvd of merlin season 3. where can i get one and is this already possible? i want to watch the complete episodes already.
I would love to see this show be picked up on NBC! I watched season 2 online, but would really love to see it show in the states. It is a great show for the whole family to watch. It is full of adventures, magic, romance, and the wonderful graphic effects are awesome. So NBC, please pick up this show!!! And don’t cut out any scenes! I noticed that there were a couple of scenes cut out of season one when I started to watch Merlin on line. What a waste of good filming! It is a great show and… Read more »
I cant wait to see the second season and I live in the US I saw the first season and I could not get enough of it. I love the sci/fi fantasy type shows and there hasnt been any really good ones out there like buffy or angel for a very long time but i think this show tops those I love it and I cant wait to see more………
I would absolutely love to see season 2 here and am hoping NBC will air it 🙂 I’ve been anxiously waiting, as well, for the DVDs to be released here because I really want to own them! I hear the extras (especially the video diaries) are pretty great.
Yes I’d say so! DVD would be great and for NBC to pick up the 2 & 3rd series is a must have. A truly fantastic show with the best actors on the set and everything about it is just wonderful. There is so many reruns on tv in the summer so that would be a perfect time slot for NBC I’d still watch it even if it was on the air in the fall, I just loved the show and I hope it picks up in the US this year coming 2010
People are going to give up on tv because every show that ends never ends responsibile by letting the viewers no what is going on and if there not going to finish it put in a book so that people will start reading and do something good in return. Who is making these decisions on who’s watching. I loved the show was I one of the people in the ratings you weren’t on long enough to say that the ratings were bad. There are lots of shows on tv that suck and broadcasting network keep it on……..:( I feel the… Read more »
Of course it had low ratings on NBC, they showed it in the summer! It needs a good prime-time slot and it’ll get viewers. It’s lots of fun. Great stories, action, humour, swords, beautiful costumes and gorgeous boys. What more can a girl ask for? I watched season 2 online and can’t wait until it’s either on DVD or tv. Fantastic show!
BEST SHOW EVER !
I watching this show in Bosnia and Hertzegovina and i cant wait season 3.