Merlin S5 | The West Australian: 'Merlin's mission' [article incl. Bradley interview snippets]
The West Australian: Merlin's mission
"The Arthurian legend relates to all nations, not just our own," he [Bradley] said. "I've seen a few versions in different languages, and some of them are quite funny. In Italian, we sound like characters from The Godfather, while in the French version we all sound rather effeminate. And I sound really quite angry in Japanese."
[click to read | no particular S5 spoilers]Merlin's mission
The new season of Merlin sees King Arthur and Merlin face the unknown to protect the fate of Camelot, in a two-part thriller opener jumping forward in time three years.
At the end of season four, Arthur, needing to regain confidence in his ability to rule, was helped by Merlin's magic to pull Excalibur from the stone. With his faith restored Arthur and his men were able to overthrow Morgana, who had captured Camelot.
Season five of the hit British series has been fast-tracked by Ten, and Bradley James, who plays King Arthur, said this season lived up to the hype.
"There has been a three-year gap since the last series and Arthur has had four years as King. But of course, harmony doesn't make for good drama, so in this series we tell the story of how Morgana suddenly turns up and starts rocking the boat," he said.
Morgana, King Arthur's estranged sister, works on the "dark" side, using her magical abilities to try to seize the throne of Camelot.
"Arthur is more prepared to deal with her this time - he is not a rookie anymore. He used to look out for her, but now she has turned to the dark side in the most dramatic fashion. However, Arthur still holds out some hope that he can bring her to her senses and that they can go back to the way they were," James said.
"If he could save Morgana, he would jump at the opportunity. But he can't save her because she's gone a little bit psychotic and past the point of no return. So as always, Arthur must concentrate on his primary responsibility, which is to defend Camelot."
As Morgana and Arthur's relationship unfolds, the friendship between Arthur and Merlin also evolves.
"Throughout the show, that relationship has been something that has worked really well. Viewers watch it and think 'I'd like to have a friend like that,'" James said.
"The fact that Arthur always brings Merlin along on the most dangerous missions without any chainmail shows how much he needs him. Merlin never says 'Shouldn't I be wearing armour? I'm completely ill-prepared for this mission.'
"He just accepts it, as he has been doing it for years, and people really identify with their relationship."
The fifth season unfolds with Merlin needing to confront his darkest fears, and although Camelot sees a new golden age, men are disappearing without a trace in the frozen wastelands of the north.
King Arthur and his knights must undertake a dangerous mission into the unknown and Merlin is faced with a battle unlike any he has fought before.
Colin Morgan returns as Merlin, Angel Coulby as Gwen, Katie McGrath as Morgana, Eoin Macken as Sir Gwaine, Adetomiwa Edun as Sir Elyan and Richard Wilson as Gaius.
Striking a chord with audiences all over the world, James said this version of Merlin connected with viewers everywhere because of the gripping way the creators have told the story and offered viewers tremendous escapism.
"The Arthurian legend relates to all nations, not just our own," he said. "I've seen a few versions in different languages, and some of them are quite funny. In Italian, we sound like characters from The Godfather, while in the French version we all sound rather effeminate. And I sound really quite angry in Japanese."
Merlin's ability to build a convincing magical world of wizards and dragons has also had Australian audiences hooked. But whether Merlin makes the long-awaited step out of the magical closet and reveals his powers this season is just something viewers will have to wait and see.
Merlin airs Sunday [October 14th] at 6.30pm on Ten.
"The Arthurian legend relates to all nations, not just our own," he [Bradley] said. "I've seen a few versions in different languages, and some of them are quite funny. In Italian, we sound like characters from The Godfather, while in the French version we all sound rather effeminate. And I sound really quite angry in Japanese."
[click to read | no particular S5 spoilers]Merlin's mission
The new season of Merlin sees King Arthur and Merlin face the unknown to protect the fate of Camelot, in a two-part thriller opener jumping forward in time three years.
At the end of season four, Arthur, needing to regain confidence in his ability to rule, was helped by Merlin's magic to pull Excalibur from the stone. With his faith restored Arthur and his men were able to overthrow Morgana, who had captured Camelot.
Season five of the hit British series has been fast-tracked by Ten, and Bradley James, who plays King Arthur, said this season lived up to the hype.
"There has been a three-year gap since the last series and Arthur has had four years as King. But of course, harmony doesn't make for good drama, so in this series we tell the story of how Morgana suddenly turns up and starts rocking the boat," he said.
Morgana, King Arthur's estranged sister, works on the "dark" side, using her magical abilities to try to seize the throne of Camelot.
"Arthur is more prepared to deal with her this time - he is not a rookie anymore. He used to look out for her, but now she has turned to the dark side in the most dramatic fashion. However, Arthur still holds out some hope that he can bring her to her senses and that they can go back to the way they were," James said.
"If he could save Morgana, he would jump at the opportunity. But he can't save her because she's gone a little bit psychotic and past the point of no return. So as always, Arthur must concentrate on his primary responsibility, which is to defend Camelot."
As Morgana and Arthur's relationship unfolds, the friendship between Arthur and Merlin also evolves.
"Throughout the show, that relationship has been something that has worked really well. Viewers watch it and think 'I'd like to have a friend like that,'" James said.
"The fact that Arthur always brings Merlin along on the most dangerous missions without any chainmail shows how much he needs him. Merlin never says 'Shouldn't I be wearing armour? I'm completely ill-prepared for this mission.'
"He just accepts it, as he has been doing it for years, and people really identify with their relationship."
The fifth season unfolds with Merlin needing to confront his darkest fears, and although Camelot sees a new golden age, men are disappearing without a trace in the frozen wastelands of the north.
King Arthur and his knights must undertake a dangerous mission into the unknown and Merlin is faced with a battle unlike any he has fought before.
Colin Morgan returns as Merlin, Angel Coulby as Gwen, Katie McGrath as Morgana, Eoin Macken as Sir Gwaine, Adetomiwa Edun as Sir Elyan and Richard Wilson as Gaius.
Striking a chord with audiences all over the world, James said this version of Merlin connected with viewers everywhere because of the gripping way the creators have told the story and offered viewers tremendous escapism.
"The Arthurian legend relates to all nations, not just our own," he said. "I've seen a few versions in different languages, and some of them are quite funny. In Italian, we sound like characters from The Godfather, while in the French version we all sound rather effeminate. And I sound really quite angry in Japanese."
Merlin's ability to build a convincing magical world of wizards and dragons has also had Australian audiences hooked. But whether Merlin makes the long-awaited step out of the magical closet and reveals his powers this season is just something viewers will have to wait and see.
Merlin airs Sunday [October 14th] at 6.30pm on Ten.