Merlin's Camelot
Source: Play Magazine (Australia), April 23, 2009; Author: Seanna Cronin
WIZARDS casting magic spells, princesses locked in high towers and knights battling fire-breathing dragons... it's the stuff of Arthurian legend. It's also the basis for one of the BBC's most popular new drama series, Merlin, which premieres on Channel 10 next week.
The series follows the adventures of a young Merlin as he comes to terms with his magical powers and visits other characters of Camelot during their formative years.
The famed wizard has been the subject of 60 feature films and more than 80 TV programs, but rarely as an inexperienced teen.
"A prequel means there's a familiarity with the story, but also the excitement of wondering how the characters get to that end point,'' says actor Angel Coulby. "We can deviate from the legend a bit and take a fresh, young look. In that aspect it has been compared to programs like Smallville.''
Merlin casts Coulby as humble young maidservant Guinevere, who grows up to become Camelot's future queen.
"`People are used to Gwen being this noble woman, but in this re-imagining, she is shy and sweet,'' says Coulby. "As the series goes on, you start to see the inner queen.'' In one of many deviations from the official legend, Gwen falls for Merlin, instead of Arthur. "Gwen can be very wise, but she also puts her foot in mouth,'' says Coulby. "She often says too much about her true feelings and gets flustered.''
Coulby has appeared in British TV series including Holby, Doctor Who and Hustle, but Merlin is the young actor's first role in a prime-time series.
"From the first read through of the script, we all felt we were at the beginning of an epic journey. I feel lucky to be a part of it,'' she says.
The hot young cast includes Colin Morgan as Merlin and Bradley James as King Arthur. Buffy favourite Anthony Head plays the ruthless King Uther, while John Hurt lends his voice to the Great Dragon, revealing Merlin's destiny.
After series one averaged six million-plus viewers when it aired in the UK, the BBC commissioned a second series.
Merlin is filmed at the Castle of Pierrefonds, in France, and in the UK.
"Gwen is at the beginning of a great journey and it will be interesting to see where the writers take her (feilongfan: as long as it's not Arthur's bed, I am fine),'' says Coulby.