BBC’s Merlin Commissioned for a Fourth Series!
Posted by Sharlene Mousfar on October 25, 2010
Announced today from the mouth of the BBC to your ears (eyes?) — hit action-adventure Merlin, which features stars Colin Morgan, Bradley James and Anthony Head among others, has been commissioned for a fourth series by the BBC! Hurrah!
The third series has been holding up phenomenally well against the juggernaut that is X-Factor, drawing about six million viewers each week on BBC1. However, different this time around is the fact that there will only be ten new episodes instead of the thirteen that fans have been used to.
Ben Stephenson, the BBC’s controller of drama commissioning, said: “Merlin continues to perform outstandingly well against X Factor. “I’m pleased to confirm that the magical world of Camelot will be returning next year for a fourth series of this fresh and modern retelling of a classic British legend.”
Series four will start filming in March 2011 and the exciting Series Three finale will air on December 4th, 2010.
Edited 11/3: We’ve just confirmed with the BBC that Series Four will air in 2011 but the actual schedule has not be determined yet.
BBC One conjures up series four of Saturday night fantasy drama Merlin
Smash hit, family favourite, Merlin, produced by Shine Television, has been recommissioned for a fourth series of magical adventure for BBC One.
The announcement comes as the third series of the fantasy drama continues to enchant audiences on Saturday nights. The current series on air is pulling in an average of over 6 million viewers and a total of 24.3% share of the audience.
Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy, Executive Producers for Shine Television, said: “We are both delighted with the continuing success of Merlin, and relish the chance to take the series to the next level with the long-awaited arrival of the Knights of the Round Table.”
Merlin stars Colin Morgan as Merlin, Bradley James as Prince Arthur, Anthony Head as King Uther, Katie McGrath as Morgana, Angel Coulby as Gwen, Richard Wilson as Gaius and John Hurt as the voice of the Great Dragon.
Series three has seen a host of high-profile guest-stars including: Emilia Fox, Tom Ellis, Miriam Margoyles, Warwick Davies and Pauline Collins. Series three will continue on Saturday evenings on BBC One until the nail biting finale on the 4th of December. Loyal friends and exciting newcomers arrive to rescue Camelot as Morgana’s careful plotting is about to reach a potentially devastating and dramatic climax.
Merlin is made for BBC Cymru Wales by award-winning executive producers Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy from Shine Television, with Bethan Jones as executive producer for the BBC.
The new 10×45 series will start filming in March 2011 and has been recommissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller BBC Drama CommissioningMerlin has also enjoyed phenomenal international success, selling to 180 countries internationally, with series 2 providing a smash hit success for the Syfy channel in the US, which has already bought the third series currently in production.
GS Reporter: Sharlene
Sources: BBC, Belfast Telegraph, Scotsman.com
cdeitrich said
This excites me muchly. I adore Merlin…and looking at Bradley James and all those delicious knights!
Atumu joshua said
Merlin is great and interesting. I have never sit down to finish a season, but when i set my on merlin i have been through right from season 1 to season 3. Pls when will season 4 be out.
sharlene said
Filming on Season 4 begins in March 2011 but no airdate has been set yet.
Ming Wu said
I am so excited to hear about the filming on series 4. I have just finished watching series 3 recently. How desperate I am to see the series 4 now!!
Tiff Taff said
Wait, so this is FOR SURE has started filming already?? I heard that due to Doctor Who or something that the filming was going to be postponed till 2012 this would be GREAT if it was actully in March!!! I need confimation so if someone could give me a direct answer…?
Sharlene M said
Filming for Series 4 begins tomorrow and the series will be airing in Fall 2011. No additional information has been released by the BBC thus far but as soon as we get any info, I’ll be sure to post it ASAP! Thanks.
Series 4 of BBC’s Merlin to have 13 Episodes! « said
[...] The BBC confirmed so this brings Series 4 in line with the previous 3 series in length, very exciting as I was a bit bummed that this year would be shortened. Even though they’ve got a full series order now, I hope those 3 episodes are not squandered with throwaway stories. Additionally, the show will be airing in the fall, as we confirmed late last year with the Beeb. [...]
Janet Buckley said
Hi
Has anyone any idea when the 2011 filming of Merlin season 4 will take place at Chateau de Pierrefonds in France. My 19 year old autistic son is a mega fan and we have promised him a visit, would be great if we could view some filming from afar!
Thanks
Jan
Sharlene M said
There’s a great site called Merlin Locations that has lots of info on not only when filming may happen but also other locations where filming has occurred: http://merlinlocations.com/?p=1350
Janet Buckley said
Thanks Sharlene, will have a look!
Colin Morgan says Huge Changes Coming for S4 « said
[...] Colin Morgan as CultBox spoke with the lead actor about what to expect in Series 4 (that we confirmed last October will be airing later this year) and a new attraction opening at Warwick Castle next month, 2011 [...]
Dacosta said
Merlin also have fans here in Ghana
Jean Martin said
I am a 62 yr. old woman, and homebound most of the time. I spend my time writing.
Love to write. I always liked Einsteins saying that imagination is far more important
than imagination. I LOVE The Merlin Series!!! I used to watch Richard Wilson, in
the series One Foot In The Grave. I was so glad to see him as Gaius. R.W. is an amazing actor. I enjoy the entire cast, & I don’t think they could have found a better
person to play Merlin, than Colin Morgan. I am very happy there is going to be a season 4, because I have watched all of 1 through 3 twice already. Thank you
everyone for all of your hard work & your beautiful talent!!!!!!!!
Jean Martin said
OOPs I meant to say ” imagination is far more important than intellect.
Should have checked that!! GEEZ!! Haha
Jean Martin
edith lucille said
i love Merlin, i have watched merlin series like 16 times all series from 1 to season 4, well when is season 5 for i can’t wait.
Merlin and Arthur, u two are the bestest bestest team ever, love u guyz
Edith from Uganda