Merlin endures as a beloved BBC cult classic more than a decade later

Collider reports that Merlin, the BBC fantasy series that premiered in 2008, remains a cult classic 13 years after its ending.

The five-season adaptation reworked Arthurian origin stories by positioning Merlin (Colin Morgan) as Arthur's (Bradley James) peer and hiding his powers, and it leaned on character dynamics more than spectacle. The show mixed lighthearted humor and outlandish plots with emotional arcs—notably Morgana's gradual turn from ward to enemy sorceress—and featured a supporting cast including Gwen (Angel Coulby), Lancelot (Santiago Cabrera) and Gaius (Richard Wilson). It ran on BBC One from 2008 to 2012 and was created by Jake Michie and Julian Jones.

Although the series did not get what some consider a fully satisfying ending, it has retained a loyal following and carved a niche as both an epic fantasy and a comfortably guilty pleasure. Thirteen years on, no recent fantasy series has replicated Merlin's particular balance of character-driven storytelling and playful tone.

Key Topics

Culture, Merlin Tv Series, Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Morgana, Arthurian Legends