HERO COMPLEX: ‘Merlin’ actors talk legendary roles, series’ epic conclusion
Jan. 01, 2013
by – Noelene Clark
BBC’s fantasy adventure “Merlin” cast its final spell in England over Christmas with a heartbreaking two-part finale that brought to a grand conclusion a series whose popularity rivals “Doctor Who” — the show drew about 7 million viewers each episode in the U.K., compared with around 1.7 million per episode in the U.S.
For fans on this side of the Atlantic, though, it’s only the beginning of the end for the epic tale.
The fifth and final season of the series, which traces the evolution of the relationship between young wizard Merlin (Colin Morgan) and future king Arthur Pendragon (Bradley James) in a realm where magic has been outlawed, premieres Friday on Syfy.
Much in the way “Smallville” updated the story of Superman, “Merlin” brings fresh life and contemporary resonance to iconic characters from English myth.
Hero Complex caught up with James and Katie McGrath, who plays the witch Morgana, to talk about the wizardry “Merlin’s” creators, Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy, conjured over the years. The actors revealed what it was like to inhabit those legendary roles and how it felt to finally say goodbye to Camelot...
... Hero Complex: Bradley, Arthur begins the series as arrogant, unlikable. Can you describe the process of taking the character from that initial place to where we find him in Season 5?
Bradley James: "One of the really appealing things about Arthur was the fact that he was far from perfect, and I was aware that I was about to go on the journey of making him so. He becomes the Arthur that everyone is familiar with in myth and legend eventually, and where we begin with him, that seems like such an impossible task. It was a huge honor to play King Arthur because he means so much to the heritage in this country, albeit, legend but to be linked with that name and that legend has been a huge honor..."
... Hero Compex: Katie, what can we expect from Morgana in Season 5? A darker incarnation of the character?
Katie McGrath: "Damn right. It’s about time. She wasn’t dark enough in Season 4. Season 5, let’s push it even more. She’s got a baby dragon now, you know, so who knows what she’s going to do?"
Hero Complex: Will she have a similar relationship with the baby dragon as Merlin has with the Great Dragon?
Katie McGrath: "I think it’s difficult because the baby dragon is actually a small dragon and doesn’t have the wealth of knowledge and wisdom that obviously the Great Dragon does. I think there is that same bond there, and I think actually it’s more of a dependent bond than what Merlin has with the Great Dragon. It’s similar, but unique to her..."
Merlin season five premieres in the US on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 10/9C on Syfy.
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