DB7

Merlin drama ‘will not replace’ Hood or Who

BBC1 boss Peter Fincham’s plan to revamp Merlin for Saturday evenings will not spell the end for Robin Hood or Doctor Who.

The executive said that the reworking of the Merlin legend, which is being developed by independent production house Shine and BBC Wales, is likely to broadcast at 7pm on Saturday nights for 13 weeks in 2008.

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He explained that this did not mean that Robin Hood or Doctor Who would have to go but that each production could be played out at different times of the year depending on schedules. He said: “We have only scratched the surface of family viewing. Our appetite is not exhausted. We could certainly accommodate a third drama.�

Merlin, which is still in the early stages of development and is being penned by a team of writers lead by Julian Jones, is understood to focus more on the wizard and his magic as a young man rather than the stories of Arthurian legend.

Fincham added: “There is a lot of talk about ‘three-generation TV’ - programmes that people watch with their kids and their parents. There’s not enough of this and I think it’s important for the BBC to do more.�

DB7

BBC looks to Merlin for Saturday night magic

The BBC is developing a drama series based around the fictional Arthurian wizard Merlin for the Doctor Who early Saturday evening slot on BBC1.

Merlin is one of a number of dramas being developed for the 7pm Saturday slot following the runaway success of Doctor Who earlier this year, which is credited with reviving family viewing.

The new BBC1 drama would concentrate on Merlin's early life. In literature and on screen Merlin has been variously portrayed as a key figure in the Camelot story, acting as King Arthur's adviser, poet and magician, but also as a villainous character.

The BBC1 controller, Peter Fincham, revealed in July that the BBC was also developing a new version of Robin Hood for the slot, with writer Dominic Minghella, the younger brother of Oscar-winning director Anthony, and independent producer Tiger Aspect.

If commissioned, it is thought Merlin could be on air in 2007, while BBC1's new Robin Hood could get on screen next autumn.

"It's in early development. It's a fictional piece about the young Merlin set in Arthurian times, being developed for the Doctor Who slot, 7pm on Saturday," said Jane Tranter, the BBC controller of drama commissioning.

Born and Bred creator Chris Chibnall is working on draft scripts for Merlin.

Mr Chibnall's writing credits include episodes of upcoming BBC1 drama Life on Mars and Rik Mayall's new ITV comedy drama All About George.

He has also scripted the plays Kiss Me Like You Mean It and Gaffer.

Mr Chibnall is developing Merlin with Sue Hogg and Simon Lewis, the former Granada drama executives who have been executive producing shows for the BBC for the past five years.

During that time their executive producer credits include Cherished, the drama in which Sarah Lancashire played Angela Cannings, the mother wrongly accused of murdering two of her children.

They also oversaw BBC1's PD James adaptation Death in Holy Orders and are currently in Corfu filming My Family and Other Animals, for BBC1's Christmas schedule.

Gerald Durrell's autobiography has been adapted by Simon Nye and stars Imelda Staunton, Omid Djalili and Chris Langham.

The BBC has previously tackled Camelot in The Legend of King Arthur, an eight-part drama series written by Andrew Davies and broadcast on BBC1 in 1979.

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BBC casts Victor 'Spelldrew' in Merlin

Richard Wilson is to star in a 13-part drama about King Arthur and Merlin that BBC1 is lining up for a Saturday teatime slot.

Indie Shine is to begin filming next week on Merlin, which stars the One Foot In The Grave actor as Gaius, the court physician who becomes mentor to the young Merlin, played by Colin Morgan.

Newcomer Bradley James plays the young Arthur, with Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Anthony Head as his father, Angel Golby as Guinevere and Katie McGrath as Morgana.

The series was ordered by BBC fiction controller Jane Tranter to run in the autumn in the slot occupied at other points in the year by Doctor Who and Robin Hood.

Steve Crook

Richard Wilson as Merlin?

Come on, all together now, "I don't believe it"

Steve

Nick Dando

I'm H A P P Y, I'm H A P P Y, I know I am, I'm sure I am, I'm H A P P Y.

Nick

willothewisp

Lets hope it's better than the farce that is Robin Hood!

Marky B

I have read today that the Beeb are on about making 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea for the Saturday afternoon schedule.
Ta Ta
Marky B

I am special. The heavens always open for me.

silverwhistle

In 1991, the BBC serialised Merlin of the Crystal Cave, an adaptation of Mary Stewart's first Merlin novel, so it has been done before. I wish they'd get rid of Robin Hood: a waste of space.

"Trust me, I'm a doctor...!"

DB7

BBC Merlin drama to star Richard Wilson and Anthony Head

Published Monday 17 March 2008 at 12:35 by Matthew Hemley

Richard Wilson and Anthony Head are to star in a major new BBC drama series called Merlin, set in the mythical city of Camelot.
Richard Wilson in Whipping It Up at the New Ambassadors last year

Richard Wilson in Whipping It Up at the New Ambassadors last year Photo: Tristram Kenton

The series is an adaptation of the Arthurian legend, with newcomer Colin Morgan as a young Merlin and Bradley James as Arthur. Wilson will play Gauis and Head will play Arthur’s father, Uther.

It is being made by production company Shine and has been written by Julian Jones.

Fanny Hill’s James Hawes will direct the series, which focuses on Merlin as a young wizard and his clashes with Arthur.

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BBC unveils new-look Merlin

* Published: 23 July 2008 09:17
* Author: Greg Brooks

BBC1 has revealed details of its new fantasy drama Merlin due to air in September.

The show, produced by Shine Television and believed to be pencilled for the Saturday night primetime slot that Doctor Who occupies, has unveiled a strong cast that will be used to drive international sales.

John Hurt stars as the voice of the Great Dragon, Heroes star Santiago Cabrera as Lancelot, and Bionic Woman actress Michelle Ryan as the wicked sorceress Nimueh.

The series begins long before Arthur becomes king in a time when Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon, has outlawed magic in the mythical city of Camelot. Gaius is the court physician who takes Merlin under his wing and helps guide him with his magical powers. It's a rites of passage story that sees Merlin and Arthur on the cusp of adulthood – both on their journey to greatness.

The stellar cast has been used to drive the distribution of the show. FME holds the exclusive distribution, licensing and home entertainment (excluding UK) rights to the 13-part series, each an hour in length and has already seen FME pre-sell the series in a landmark deals with US network NBC and CTV in Canada.

The drama also brings together a cast of acclaimed British actors including Richard Wilson as Gaius, Anthony Head as King Uther Pendragon as well as new face Colin Morgan as the young wizard Merlin.

CGI effects in the show are created by The Mill, the Oscar winning visual effects team behind Gladiator, and filming is underway in Wales, France and England.

Dai Bando

How can they do any more Robin Hoods now they have killed off Maid Marion? Tragic mistake in book. Does anyone know if she wanted to leave or if they just wrote her out?

faginsgirl

Yes, its a shame they killed off Marion in the new series.........................And not the rest of the cast at the same time!

We`re changin` lodggggggggings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!