The Camelot fantasy drama ‘Merlin’, starring Irish actors Colin Morgan (Doctor Who?) and Katie McGrath (Freakdog), currently airing on BBC, has been greenlit for a second series. 112 territories have attained the show which has just been bought by NBC in the U.S.
The 13 part series ‘Merlin’ is produced by U.K’s Shine Television, and has been screening on BBC One since September. Armagh actor Colin Morgan plays the young boy wizard Merlin. Morgan has featured in a number of television roles including ‘The Catherine Tate Show’ and playing Jethro in series four of ‘Doctor Who’. He was also voted Outstanding Newcomer for his role in ‘Merlin’ by the Variety Club Awards. Dubliner Katie McGrath, who has previously starred in ‘Eden’, ‘The Roaring Twenties’ and ‘Damage’, plays Morgana in the series which focuses on the young wizard's friendship with King Arthur. Bradley James, John Hurt and Anthony Head also star in supporting roles.
The distributor Fremantle Media Enterprises sold deals for ‘Merlin’ in European Germany (RTL), France (Canal Plus), South Africa (Mnet) and Japan (MICO). The show is already broadcasting in Italy with Mediaset holding the rights there.
Variety reports that the series has received an average audience of 6.2 million and shooting for the second series will begin shooting on location in Wales and France next year.
