NBC Presents BBC Import ‘Merlin’
Adaptation Launches with Two-Hour Premiere
How’s this for a notable television fact? When NBC premieres the family-friendly fantasy Merlin tomorrow night, June 21, the event will mark the first time in 30-plus years that an American broadcast network has aired a British drama. The usual home for such fare is either PBS or a cable network, of course, so kudos to The Peacock for attempting to give viewers something a little different, especially considering what happened the last time it tried not too long ago.
If you’re one of the few people not familiar with the legendary myth of Camelot, all you need to know before checking out Sunday’s two-hour premiere is (1) there are real live dragons and other totally awesome beasts, and (2) Merlin (Colin Morgan, Doctor Who, pictured above at right) is a fictional wizard who arrives in King Uther Pendragon’s (Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Anthony Head, pictured below) kingdom at the worst time possible.
Not only has the tyrant banned magic, but the young visiting sorcerer soon learns that his fate is closely connected to that of Uther’s son Arthur (Bradley James, Lewis, pictured above at left). Merlin befriends the prince after an initial round of mutual hostility, but he keeps his abilities a secret while using them to help guide him on the proper path.
The 13-episode series, already good to go for a second season in the United Kingdom, is billed as a contemporary twist on the conventional Merlin myth, a description that’s fair warning for die-hard purists. Shades of Smallville — the CW show about the early years of Superman before he became the Superman of lore — also influenced its origins. Since I’ve been a loyal fan of the American superhero series from the beginning, it looks like I’m duty-bound to give Merlin a look-see, too.
Also starring in Merlin are Richard Wilson (Doctor Who, pictured first at left above) as Uther’s doctor and Merlin’s mentor Gaius; Katie McGrath (The Tudors, pictured second on the right) as Morgana, the daughter of Uther’s deceased friend; and Angel Coulby (Life Is Wild, pictured first at right) as Gwen, Morgana’s friend first and servant second.
Catch the premiere episodes “The Dragon’s Call” and “Valiant” at 8pm to 9pm ET tomorrow, and sneak a few peeks at the fantasy in the following preview clips. Based on the videos below alone, I can see myself enjoying Merlin.
Merlin will air Sundays on NBC at 8pm ET
Merlin photos courtesy of Nick Briggs/NBC (second from top) and Todd Antony/NBC
We say we love it and hope to see Series 2. Some of our American critics are soul dead (Pittsburgh Gazette) which is why so many don’t read newspapers anymore. Love Colin Morgan and Bradley James using modern expressions to bring an exciting edge to a beloved classic. So much more fun than bearded grizzly old portrayals of Merlin. My father was named Merlin Virgil Combs by old Doc Brady who delivered him…..so you see I had a magical upbringing. Hope NBC brings more episodes after this final August 23….we’ll be watching in Chestertown, MD (founded by the English 1706).