Merlin (series 4)
Encyclopedia
The fourth season of the British
drama series Merlin
began on 1 October 2011 with the episode "The Darkest Hour - Part 1". It will consist of 13 episodes shown on Saturday evenings on BBC One
and BBC One HD (repeats shown on BBC Three
). Series producer is Sara Hamill and executive producers are Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy. Directors include Alice Troughton
, Alex Pillai, Justin Molotnikov and Jeremy Webb. Writers include Julian Jones (head writer), Howard Overman
, Jake Michie, Lucy Watkins, and Richard McBrien.
Series four stars the regular cast from the previous series including Colin Morgan
, Angel Coulby
, Bradley James, Katie McGrath
, and Richard Wilson. Anthony Head
left the series after "The Wicked Day". Nathaniel Parker
became part of the regular cast in this series and John Hurt
returned as the voice of the Dragon. Supporting cast members include Adetomiwa Edun, Eoin Macken
, Tom Hopper
, and Rupert Young.
Notable guest actors include Santiago Cabrera
, Emilia Fox
, Gemma Jones
, Phil Davis, James Callis
, Lindsay Duncan
, Gary Lewis
and Charlene McKenna
.
, Bradley James, Katie McGrath
, Angel Coulby
, Anthony Head
, and Richard Wilson are all contracted for multiple season and they would return as series regulars. John Hurt
who narrated the show and plays the voice of the great dragon would also be upgraded back into a series regular after having a recurring role in season two. On August 18, 2011 Michelle Ryan
who played Nimueh in season one as a recurring would also return in this season as Merlin's worst enemy. On August 19, 2011 Phil Davis was cast as the Gleeman. Nathaniel Parker
and Charlene McKenna
would also join the casting playing Agravaine and Lamia. James Callis
joined that casting for the fourth episode as Julius Borden. Gemma Jones
will play Cailleach the gatekeeper to the spirit world. Lindsay Duncan
will appear in one episode playing the Queen of Annis. Steven Hartley
also joined the casting as King Caerleon. Rupert Young and David Schofield
will also return. Tom Hopper
, Adetomiwa Edun, and Alice Patten
confirmed that they will also return on their roles. Laura Donnelly
who played Freya in season two and three will also return to the series.
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British television
Public television broadcasting started in the United Kingdom in 1936, and now has a collection of free and subscription services over a variety of distribution media, through which there are over 480 channelsTaking the base Sky EPG TV Channels. A breakdown is impossible due to a) the number of...
drama series Merlin
Merlin (TV series)
Merlin is a British fantasy-adventure television programme by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps. It began broadcasting on BBC One on 20 September 2008. The show is based on the Arthurian legends of the wizard Merlin and his relationship with Prince Arthur but differs from...
began on 1 October 2011 with the episode "The Darkest Hour - Part 1". It will consist of 13 episodes shown on Saturday evenings on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
and BBC One HD (repeats shown on BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
). Series producer is Sara Hamill and executive producers are Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy. Directors include Alice Troughton
Alice Troughton
Alice Troughton is a British television director. Her work on Doctor Who makes her only the second person to direct episodes of Doctor Who, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures....
, Alex Pillai, Justin Molotnikov and Jeremy Webb. Writers include Julian Jones (head writer), Howard Overman
Howard Overman
Howard Overman is a television writer who has written scripts for serial dramas such as Hotel Babylon, New Tricks, Hustle, Harley Street and Merlin....
, Jake Michie, Lucy Watkins, and Richard McBrien.
Series four stars the regular cast from the previous series including Colin Morgan
Colin Morgan
Colin Morgan is an actor from Armagh, Northern Ireland, best known for playing the title character in the BBC TV series Merlin. Morgan went to Integrated College Dungannon and, during his third year, won the 'Denis Rooney Associates' Cup awarded to the best overall student of that academic year...
, Angel Coulby
Angel Coulby
Angel Coulby is an English actress. She made her television debut in the BBC comedy Orrible. She is best known for portraying the character of Guinevere in the BBC fantasy series Merlin.-Career:...
, Bradley James, Katie McGrath
Katie McGrath
Katherine Elizabeth McGrath is an Irish actress from Ashford, County Wicklow, Ireland, best known for playing Morgana in the BBC One TV series Merlin.-Background:McGrath graduated in History at the Trinity College, Dublin...
, and Richard Wilson. Anthony Head
Anthony Head
Anthony Stewart Head , usually credited as Anthony Head, is an English actor and musician. He rose to fame in the UK following his role in television advertisements for Nescafé Gold Blend , and is known for his roles as Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as Uther Pendragon in...
left the series after "The Wicked Day". Nathaniel Parker
Nathaniel Parker
Nathaniel Parker is an English actor best known for playing Detective Inspector Thomas "Tommy" Lynley in the BBC crime drama series The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.-Personal life:...
became part of the regular cast in this series and John Hurt
John Hurt
John Vincent Hurt, CBE is an English actor, known for his leading roles as John Merrick in The Elephant Man, Winston Smith in Nineteen Eighty-Four, Mr. Braddock in The Hit, Stephen Ward in Scandal, Quentin Crisp in The Naked Civil Servant and An Englishman in New York...
returned as the voice of the Dragon. Supporting cast members include Adetomiwa Edun, Eoin Macken
Eoin Macken
Eoin Christopher Macken is an Irish actor and film maker.Eoin has modelled for Abercrombie and Fitch, Ralph Lauren, and GQ....
, Tom Hopper
Tom Hopper
Tom Hopper is an English actor who has appeared in various television programmmes and films such as Merlin, Doctor Who, Casualty and Tormented...
, and Rupert Young.
Notable guest actors include Santiago Cabrera
Santiago Cabrera
Santiago Cabrera is a Chilean actor, most known for his role as the character Isaac Mendez in the television series Heroes and as Lancelot in the BBC drama series Merlin...
, Emilia Fox
Emilia Fox
Emilia Rose Elizabeth Fox is an award-winning English actress, known for her role as Dr. Nikki Alexander on BBC crime drama Silent Witness, having joined the cast in 2004 following the departure of Amanda Burton. She also appears as Morgause in the BBC's Merlin beginning in the programme's second...
, Gemma Jones
Gemma Jones
Gemma Jones is an English character actress on both stage and screen.-Early life:Jones was born in London, England, the daughter of Irene and Griffith Jones, an actor. Her brother, Nicholas Jones, is also an actor...
, Phil Davis, James Callis
James Callis
James Callis is a British actor. He is best known for playing Dr. Gaius Baltar in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica miniseries and television series, and Bridget Jones' best friend in Bridget Jones's Diary and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason...
, Lindsay Duncan
Lindsay Duncan
Lindsay Vere Duncan, CBE is a Scottish stage, television and film actress. On stage she won two Olivier Awards and a Tony Award for her performance in Les Liaisons dangereuses and Private Lives , and she starred in several plays by Harold Pinter. Her most famous roles on television include:...
, Gary Lewis
Gary Lewis (actor)
Gary Lewis is a Scottish actor. He has had parts in Billy Elliot, Gangs of New York, Eragon and Three and Out, as well as a major role in the television docudrama, Supervolcano.-Early life:...
and Charlene McKenna
Charlene McKenna
Charlene McKenna is an award-winning Irish actress. She became a household name and face in Ireland after starring as Jennifer in the television series Pure Mule in 2005. She has had numerous other roles in television dramas in Ireland, including Raw, Single-Handed 2 and Whistleblower...
.
Main Cast
- Colin MorganColin MorganColin Morgan is an actor from Armagh, Northern Ireland, best known for playing the title character in the BBC TV series Merlin. Morgan went to Integrated College Dungannon and, during his third year, won the 'Denis Rooney Associates' Cup awarded to the best overall student of that academic year...
as Merlin - Katie McGrathKatie McGrathKatherine Elizabeth McGrath is an Irish actress from Ashford, County Wicklow, Ireland, best known for playing Morgana in the BBC One TV series Merlin.-Background:McGrath graduated in History at the Trinity College, Dublin...
as Morgana - Bradley James as Arthur
- Angel CoulbyAngel CoulbyAngel Coulby is an English actress. She made her television debut in the BBC comedy Orrible. She is best known for portraying the character of Guinevere in the BBC fantasy series Merlin.-Career:...
as Gwen - Nathaniel ParkerNathaniel ParkerNathaniel Parker is an English actor best known for playing Detective Inspector Thomas "Tommy" Lynley in the BBC crime drama series The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.-Personal life:...
as Lord Agravaine - Richard Wilson as Gaius
- John HurtJohn HurtJohn Vincent Hurt, CBE is an English actor, known for his leading roles as John Merrick in The Elephant Man, Winston Smith in Nineteen Eighty-Four, Mr. Braddock in The Hit, Stephen Ward in Scandal, Quentin Crisp in The Naked Civil Servant and An Englishman in New York...
as Kilgharrah the Great Dragon (voice only)
Recurring
- Anthony HeadAnthony HeadAnthony Stewart Head , usually credited as Anthony Head, is an English actor and musician. He rose to fame in the UK following his role in television advertisements for Nescafé Gold Blend , and is known for his roles as Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as Uther Pendragon in...
as Uther Pendragon - Santiago CabreraSantiago CabreraSantiago Cabrera is a Chilean actor, most known for his role as the character Isaac Mendez in the television series Heroes and as Lancelot in the BBC drama series Merlin...
as Sir Lancelot - Eoin MackenEoin MackenEoin Christopher Macken is an Irish actor and film maker.Eoin has modelled for Abercrombie and Fitch, Ralph Lauren, and GQ....
as Sir Gwaine - Rupert Young as Sir Leon
- Tom HopperTom HopperTom Hopper is an English actor who has appeared in various television programmmes and films such as Merlin, Doctor Who, Casualty and Tormented...
as Sir Percival - Adetomiwa Edun as Sir Elyan
- Emilia FoxEmilia FoxEmilia Rose Elizabeth Fox is an award-winning English actress, known for her role as Dr. Nikki Alexander on BBC crime drama Silent Witness, having joined the cast in 2004 following the departure of Amanda Burton. She also appears as Morgause in the BBC's Merlin beginning in the programme's second...
as Morgause
Guest star
- Gemma JonesGemma JonesGemma Jones is an English character actress on both stage and screen.-Early life:Jones was born in London, England, the daughter of Irene and Griffith Jones, an actor. Her brother, Nicholas Jones, is also an actor...
as The Cailleach - Phil DavisPhil DavisPhilip Davis is an English film actor, writer and director who has appeared in many films and television series. He has written and directed various dramas during his career.-Personal life:...
as The Gleeman - James CallisJames CallisJames Callis is a British actor. He is best known for playing Dr. Gaius Baltar in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica miniseries and television series, and Bridget Jones' best friend in Bridget Jones's Diary and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason...
as Julius Borden - Charlene McKennaCharlene McKennaCharlene McKenna is an award-winning Irish actress. She became a household name and face in Ireland after starring as Jennifer in the television series Pure Mule in 2005. She has had numerous other roles in television dramas in Ireland, including Raw, Single-Handed 2 and Whistleblower...
as Lamia - Hayley BishopHayley BishopHayley Bishop is an English actress. Her best-known role was Kelly the barmaid in the BBC Three comedy series Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, which has run since 2001....
as Caelia - Lindsay DuncanLindsay DuncanLindsay Vere Duncan, CBE is a Scottish stage, television and film actress. On stage she won two Olivier Awards and a Tony Award for her performance in Les Liaisons dangereuses and Private Lives , and she starred in several plays by Harold Pinter. Her most famous roles on television include:...
as Queen Annis - Steven HartleySteven HartleySteven Hartley is a British actor known for his television, film and theatre roles. He has appeared in leading roles on British television since 1985, including the series EastEnders from 1987-1989 and The Bill 2000-2002...
as King Caerleon - Zee Asha as Audrey
- Emma Tainton as Servant
- Andrew Fowler as Knight of Camelot
- Sarah Beck Mather as Vilia
- Zig ByfieldZig ByfieldTrevor 'Zig' Byfield is a British actor best known for his roles in Heartbeat, EastEnders, Casualty, The Bill, Holby City, Coronation Street, Family Affairs and Doctors. Born in Preston, he lives in England with his wife.-Television:-External links:...
as Goron - Gary LewisGary Lewis (actor)Gary Lewis is a Scottish actor. He has had parts in Billy Elliot, Gangs of New York, Eragon and Three and Out, as well as a major role in the television docudrama, Supervolcano.-Early life:...
as Alator of the Catha
Production
The production of a fourth series of Merlin was confirmed on 25 October 2010. Anthony Head confirmed that the show will air in September 2011. Series 4 will consist of 13 episodes. Colin Morgan said episodes would no longer be as stand-alone, "Each episode takes a progression as a piece of a jigsaw that has to be completed. There's no reverse going on." Due to the popularity of the show, Merlin has been renewed for a fifth series.Casting
Three days before the series finale Julian Jones the series creator stated that Colin MorganColin Morgan
Colin Morgan is an actor from Armagh, Northern Ireland, best known for playing the title character in the BBC TV series Merlin. Morgan went to Integrated College Dungannon and, during his third year, won the 'Denis Rooney Associates' Cup awarded to the best overall student of that academic year...
, Bradley James, Katie McGrath
Katie McGrath
Katherine Elizabeth McGrath is an Irish actress from Ashford, County Wicklow, Ireland, best known for playing Morgana in the BBC One TV series Merlin.-Background:McGrath graduated in History at the Trinity College, Dublin...
, Angel Coulby
Angel Coulby
Angel Coulby is an English actress. She made her television debut in the BBC comedy Orrible. She is best known for portraying the character of Guinevere in the BBC fantasy series Merlin.-Career:...
, Anthony Head
Anthony Head
Anthony Stewart Head , usually credited as Anthony Head, is an English actor and musician. He rose to fame in the UK following his role in television advertisements for Nescafé Gold Blend , and is known for his roles as Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as Uther Pendragon in...
, and Richard Wilson are all contracted for multiple season and they would return as series regulars. John Hurt
John Hurt
John Vincent Hurt, CBE is an English actor, known for his leading roles as John Merrick in The Elephant Man, Winston Smith in Nineteen Eighty-Four, Mr. Braddock in The Hit, Stephen Ward in Scandal, Quentin Crisp in The Naked Civil Servant and An Englishman in New York...
who narrated the show and plays the voice of the great dragon would also be upgraded back into a series regular after having a recurring role in season two. On August 18, 2011 Michelle Ryan
Michelle Ryan
Michelle Claire Ryan is an English actress.She is best known for portraying the role of Zoe Slater on BBC soap opera EastEnders. In 2007, she starred in the short lived American television series Bionic Woman...
who played Nimueh in season one as a recurring would also return in this season as Merlin's worst enemy. On August 19, 2011 Phil Davis was cast as the Gleeman. Nathaniel Parker
Nathaniel Parker
Nathaniel Parker is an English actor best known for playing Detective Inspector Thomas "Tommy" Lynley in the BBC crime drama series The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.-Personal life:...
and Charlene McKenna
Charlene McKenna
Charlene McKenna is an award-winning Irish actress. She became a household name and face in Ireland after starring as Jennifer in the television series Pure Mule in 2005. She has had numerous other roles in television dramas in Ireland, including Raw, Single-Handed 2 and Whistleblower...
would also join the casting playing Agravaine and Lamia. James Callis
James Callis
James Callis is a British actor. He is best known for playing Dr. Gaius Baltar in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica miniseries and television series, and Bridget Jones' best friend in Bridget Jones's Diary and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason...
joined that casting for the fourth episode as Julius Borden. Gemma Jones
Gemma Jones
Gemma Jones is an English character actress on both stage and screen.-Early life:Jones was born in London, England, the daughter of Irene and Griffith Jones, an actor. Her brother, Nicholas Jones, is also an actor...
will play Cailleach the gatekeeper to the spirit world. Lindsay Duncan
Lindsay Duncan
Lindsay Vere Duncan, CBE is a Scottish stage, television and film actress. On stage she won two Olivier Awards and a Tony Award for her performance in Les Liaisons dangereuses and Private Lives , and she starred in several plays by Harold Pinter. Her most famous roles on television include:...
will appear in one episode playing the Queen of Annis. Steven Hartley
Steven Hartley
Steven Hartley is a British actor known for his television, film and theatre roles. He has appeared in leading roles on British television since 1985, including the series EastEnders from 1987-1989 and The Bill 2000-2002...
also joined the casting as King Caerleon. Rupert Young and David Schofield
David Schofield
David Schofield may refer to:*David Schofield , English actor*David Schofield , English football player...
will also return. Tom Hopper
Tom Hopper
Tom Hopper is an English actor who has appeared in various television programmmes and films such as Merlin, Doctor Who, Casualty and Tormented...
, Adetomiwa Edun, and Alice Patten
Alice Patten
Alice Patten is an English actress, and the daughter of Chris Patten, a prominent British Conservative politician and the last governor of Hong Kong. She has played a key role in the Hindi film Rang De Basanti...
confirmed that they will also return on their roles. Laura Donnelly
Laura Donnelly (actress)
Laura Donnelly is an actress from Northern Ireland. She made her on-screen debut in 2005 in the Channel 4 drama Sugar Rush, where she featured as a love interest of the female protagonist in two episodes. She is also known for appearing in Casualty, Hex, and as a main character in the Irish film...
who played Freya in season two and three will also return to the series.
Episodes
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! style="background:#C0C0C0; color:#ffffff;"| Directed by
! style="background:#C0C0C0; color:#ffffff;"| Written by
! style="background:#C0C0C0; color:#ffffff;"| Original air date
! style="background:#C0C0C0; color:#ffffff;"| UK viewers
(million)
|-
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