BBC unveils new-look Merlin
The show, produced by Shine Television (Hex, Sugar Rush) and believed to be pencilled for the Saturday night primetime slot that Doctor Who occupies, has unveiled a strong cast that will be used to drive international sales.
John Hurt stars as the voice of the Great Dragon, Heroes star Santiago Cabrera as Lancelot, and Bionic Woman actress Michelle Ryan as the wicked sorceress Nimueh.
The series begins long before Arthur becomes king in a time when Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon, has outlawed magic in the mythical city of Camelot. Gaius is the court physician who takes Merlin under his wing and helps guide him with his magical powers. It's a rites of passage story that sees Merlin and Arthur on the cusp of adulthood - both on their journey to greatness.
The stellar cast has been used to drive the distribution of the show. FME holds the exclusive distribution, licensing and home entertainment (excluding UK) rights to the 13-part series, each an hour in length and has already seen FME pre-sell the series in a landmark deals with US network NBC and CTV in Canada.
The drama also brings together a cast of acclaimed British actors including Richard Wilson as Gaius, Anthony Head as King Uther Pendragon as well as new face Colin Morgan as the young wizard Merlin.
CGI effects in the show are created by The Mill, the Oscar winning visual effects team behind Gladiator, and filming is underway in Wales, France and England.
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