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.
Let me add, that I would buy the series if the price is right, since I am out of work at the moment. I do think I will buy the series eventually.
I Really really love it!!!
LaVerne
I LOVE “Merlin” and I Want it Back! Dammit! NBC what are you thinking??? I think you all have your heads up your ***!
Yes i would like to see Merlin return it is a clean and enjoyable series, as series go it doesn’t have ****** dialog so yes its a great series.
NBC are making a huge mistake – NOT TO HAVE THIS SERIES aired…CTV in Canada were picking up the rights but they also did not continue it..It’s a GREAT mystical series that ALL can enjoy..
merlin is great.It’s gonna be a disaster if nbc does not air it. I love it
omg when will merlin season 3 coming. i cant wait. i love u colin morgan…
I can’t believe they aren’t airing Merlin anymore on NBC.After we found it we really liked the show.Cancel some of the other shows but not Merlin.I think I can speak for a lot of folks that are really tired of the ‘reality” shows and Jay Leno every night.PLEEEESE!
Bring back Merlin
My family and I are still waiting for NBC to get with the the fans and give us what we want. Merlin back. It amazes me that after the huge Jay Leno debacle the best they can come with is a bunch of lame reality shows. What we want is some good drama and fantasy. Merlin has already been It has already been produced. All they have to do is buy it. Hopefully some smart cable station will of NBC still holds back. There are a lot of fans out there . The show did not have much of a… Read more »
We have just ended season two this night and it would be a totaly disaster if season three didn
Hell Yess!!! I would buy the DVD in a heart beat! :]
Love it, love it, love it. I will try to see it on free TV on the computer as I don’t get Syfy. If NBC kekpt it it would be great, but I don’t trust them and even if they kept it for a while, they might still cut it, so it’s etter it’s on Syfy which will keep it longer.
I love merlin series, so please i need to know when season three will be out
I’m not in the US but in the Philippines and have it on cable thru the Hallmark Channel. But I love the show and watch it on tv even the re runs and in You Tube. Congratulations to the cast and crew and more power!!!!
I love the show I was very depressed when the network decided not to air the show. I would love to beable to watch the show no matter what channel you air it on. Syfy or NBC. Please air the show.
Sincerly,
Merlin fan
I don’t know how much weight these posts actually carry with the three major networks but if they have any sense at all they will listen to what the people are saying about what they want to watch and give it to them. The ratings may have been low in the beginning but as has been written many times once people watched Merlin they truly enjoyed it and very much want to continue watching it. It is one of my favorite shows. I will be indescribably angry with NBC if they do not pick up season three and let me… Read more »