Merlin S5 | SériesMagN°80: Interv. w/ Bradley [translation]
SériesMagN°80 Thanks to Merlin-France.net for sharing a scan of the interview with Bradley. It's unclear from when this interview is (like whether they did it on set in France in September, during the press day on December 3rd or even more recently?).
The scan is a bit difficult to decipher but I translated the interview to the best of my abilities (which are not at their best today, so any help in making this translation better would be very much appreciated. Merci!).
Did the end of the show live up to your hopes/expectations?
Absolutely. I always thought the show should end with a long conversation between Merlin and Arthur. A face to face where they'd talk about everything on their hearts and all secrets would finally be revealed. The last episode is like that. Colin and I were able to play all the nuances of the relationship between these two men that are the best friends in the world despite their differences. These scenes have been very emotional for me and it was a way for me to say goodbye to Colin. I love this guy, even though I made fun of him and even hit him on set all the time! [laughs]
What are youre present/future projects?
I read a lot of scripts, mostly for cinema. This time is very exciting for me. And that's why I didn't want to play the role of Arthur Pendragon until the end of my days. I want to prove I can do something other than wield a sword and wearing a chain mail. Even though I loved doing it.
[click to read the translated interview] Of all the season, which is your favourite?
Season 5 is really my favourite for one simple reason - we jumped forward 3 years and now finally the characters evolved. In previous years it could be very frustrating for me and others, because we had the sensation always of spinning the same tale. For example, we filmed an episode or something where Arthur was himself or affected by a situation. At the end of the episode, it seemed like he grew up and wouldn't make the same mistakes again. However, in the next episode, it was as if the these things never happened and Arthur once again acted like an idiot. It made me upset!
Did the end of the show live up to your hopes/expectations?
Absolutely. I always thought the show should end with a long conversation between Merlin and Arthur. A face to face where they'd talk about everything on their hearts and all secrets would finally be revealed. The last episode is like that. Colin and I were able to play all the nuances of the relationship between these two men that are the best friends in the world despite their differences. These scenes have been very emotional for me and it was a way for me to say goodbye to Colin. I love this guy, even though I made fun of him and even hit him on set all the time! [laughs]
Your relations resembled those that existed between Arthur and Merlin?
During the first season, I did not understand his humour. Colin is very sarcastic. Then I discoverd that he's really funny, the humor very particular, very different from my other friends. He really is a good guy. Exactly as Arthur and Merlin and we became inseperable on the set.
You're about to depart with a whole bunch of friends with the show ending. Isn't that a little sad?
This is part of the actor's profession. But we all stay in contact, though. Colin and I and all the guys who play the Knights, we're a real band mates. We'll continue to see us because we live in London and work all around the earth.
There's been talks about a spinoff series of Merlin, or a movie. Do you know more?
Should the scenario sound really exceptional maybe I'd say think about it. And I can possibly speak for others in saying that we all think the same thing. But the end of the series is incredibly satisfying for us. Each character has their moment of glory and we even get to see how some characters evolve. So for me the Merlin adventure is finished.
What are youre present/future projects?
I read a lot of scripts, mostly for cinema. This time is very exciting for me. And that's why I didn't want to play the role of Arthur Pendragon until the end of my days. I want to prove I can do something other than wield a sword and wearing a chain mail. Even though I loved doing it.
You have experienced a lot on the 'legend of Arthur' road, can you tell us something that'd surprise us?
Any aspect of the French legend is fascinating. The story says that Arthur was born in England in many versions. And when the story arrived in France, the character of Lancelot, a French knight was added by local authors who thereby turned Arthur into a deceived husband. When the story came back to England, they kept the character of Lancelot, but then made him a knight who was supposedly a little debile! It was their way to avenge the affront of French, I suppose. [laughs]
You spent many months in France to shoot the series. Our country will miss you.
So do I, as I love coming back to the castle of Pierrefonds. I always enjoyed the sun and the local food, it was great. Fortunately, London is not very far from Paris and I'll sure be back.
Are you happy with the evolution of Arthur?
Entirely, it is wonderful what this character embodies through his transformation. He's a hero that is very important to the British. During the series, he's a bit arrogant and not always very nice. But partly thanks to Merlin, Arthur becomes the king that brings peace and happiness to his people and leaves Camelot in very good hands at the end of the series. I could not think of anything better when I was chosen to play Arthur.
OH, BRADLEY!!!! ♥ ♥ ♥
The scan is a bit difficult to decipher but I translated the interview to the best of my abilities (which are not at their best today, so any help in making this translation better would be very much appreciated. Merci!).
Did the end of the show live up to your hopes/expectations?
Absolutely. I always thought the show should end with a long conversation between Merlin and Arthur. A face to face where they'd talk about everything on their hearts and all secrets would finally be revealed. The last episode is like that. Colin and I were able to play all the nuances of the relationship between these two men that are the best friends in the world despite their differences. These scenes have been very emotional for me and it was a way for me to say goodbye to Colin. I love this guy, even though I made fun of him and even hit him on set all the time! [laughs]
What are youre present/future projects?
I read a lot of scripts, mostly for cinema. This time is very exciting for me. And that's why I didn't want to play the role of Arthur Pendragon until the end of my days. I want to prove I can do something other than wield a sword and wearing a chain mail. Even though I loved doing it.
[click to read the translated interview] Of all the season, which is your favourite?
Season 5 is really my favourite for one simple reason - we jumped forward 3 years and now finally the characters evolved. In previous years it could be very frustrating for me and others, because we had the sensation always of spinning the same tale. For example, we filmed an episode or something where Arthur was himself or affected by a situation. At the end of the episode, it seemed like he grew up and wouldn't make the same mistakes again. However, in the next episode, it was as if the these things never happened and Arthur once again acted like an idiot. It made me upset!
Did the end of the show live up to your hopes/expectations?
Absolutely. I always thought the show should end with a long conversation between Merlin and Arthur. A face to face where they'd talk about everything on their hearts and all secrets would finally be revealed. The last episode is like that. Colin and I were able to play all the nuances of the relationship between these two men that are the best friends in the world despite their differences. These scenes have been very emotional for me and it was a way for me to say goodbye to Colin. I love this guy, even though I made fun of him and even hit him on set all the time! [laughs]
Your relations resembled those that existed between Arthur and Merlin?
During the first season, I did not understand his humour. Colin is very sarcastic. Then I discoverd that he's really funny, the humor very particular, very different from my other friends. He really is a good guy. Exactly as Arthur and Merlin and we became inseperable on the set.
You're about to depart with a whole bunch of friends with the show ending. Isn't that a little sad?
This is part of the actor's profession. But we all stay in contact, though. Colin and I and all the guys who play the Knights, we're a real band mates. We'll continue to see us because we live in London and work all around the earth.
There's been talks about a spinoff series of Merlin, or a movie. Do you know more?
Should the scenario sound really exceptional maybe I'd say think about it. And I can possibly speak for others in saying that we all think the same thing. But the end of the series is incredibly satisfying for us. Each character has their moment of glory and we even get to see how some characters evolve. So for me the Merlin adventure is finished.
What are youre present/future projects?
I read a lot of scripts, mostly for cinema. This time is very exciting for me. And that's why I didn't want to play the role of Arthur Pendragon until the end of my days. I want to prove I can do something other than wield a sword and wearing a chain mail. Even though I loved doing it.
You have experienced a lot on the 'legend of Arthur' road, can you tell us something that'd surprise us?
Any aspect of the French legend is fascinating. The story says that Arthur was born in England in many versions. And when the story arrived in France, the character of Lancelot, a French knight was added by local authors who thereby turned Arthur into a deceived husband. When the story came back to England, they kept the character of Lancelot, but then made him a knight who was supposedly a little debile! It was their way to avenge the affront of French, I suppose. [laughs]
You spent many months in France to shoot the series. Our country will miss you.
So do I, as I love coming back to the castle of Pierrefonds. I always enjoyed the sun and the local food, it was great. Fortunately, London is not very far from Paris and I'll sure be back.
Are you happy with the evolution of Arthur?
Entirely, it is wonderful what this character embodies through his transformation. He's a hero that is very important to the British. During the series, he's a bit arrogant and not always very nice. But partly thanks to Merlin, Arthur becomes the king that brings peace and happiness to his people and leaves Camelot in very good hands at the end of the series. I could not think of anything better when I was chosen to play Arthur.
OH, BRADLEY!!!! ♥ ♥ ♥