Fear not Merlin fans, I was sworn to âkeep the magic secretâ? by an intimidating audience of die-hards and I’m not about to spoil any surprises. But it is no secret that the next series of the hit fantasy drama will be a far more shadowy affair. Love, loss, laughs and lots of handsome knights are in store for fans and the first episode, due to be screened on Ocotber 1st, did not disappoint.
Gwen (Angel Coulby), Morgana (Katie McGrath) and the man himself, Merlin (Colin Morgan), all dashed across from Wales after a long day of filming to chat to us about whatâs in store for the drama that – like the cast – seems to be growing up fast.
âThis fourth series actually feels quite different from the rest of them it feels almost like a departure. The showâs grown up, itâs more adult. Itâs still got all the fun that youâd expect from Merlin but overall in tone itâs darker and more filmicâ?, says McGrath.
The actress is so totally removed from her merciless on-screen character that I have to keep reminding myself that she is, in fact, a bitch. The end of series three left Morgana cradling her dying sister whilst letting out a deafening scream and looking like the close, personal friend of Satan. I want to know how the hell this infinitely evil sorceress can get any more…evil.
âSheâs gone from being a bubbling bitch…to being an out and out cow. Sure. But I think the interesting thing about series four is that she evolves again. Itâs been a very slow evolution from where we started to where we are now and itâs an evolution that has made sense for all the characters so for me, nothing felt jarring.â?
Merlin, a character who was quite frankly a bit of a nerd when the show kicked off, especially when placed next to the rippling muscles and jutting jaw of Arthur, also sees a transformation. The softly spoken Colin Morgan is a fan of this series, possibly because his character actually starts to get a bit cooler.
âThe good thing about it is that, as we go into the fourth series, we see him becoming the advisor and the wise Merlin that we know of old. Suddenly this knowledge is coming from somewhere within him that he probably doesnât understand. Thatâs what growing up is about.”
Angel Coulby (who plays Guinivere) is a bit cagey about revealing any major plot twists to come but I pressed her for info. Gwen and the Prince had a good old snog in front of the knights at the end of last series and, letâs be honest, itâs not as if legend doesnât give away the storyline slightly…
âThereâs definitely a bit more secrecy to come but you will see big developments. â
Any wedding bells?
âWell…their love is always there really and itâs just a question of the status issue. As long as dad (King Uther) is around itâs going to be difficult.”
Filming for series four will just be wrapping in Wales as the first episode hits our screens but the cast and crew can expect plenty more where that came from because bosses have already given the go ahead for a fifth outing, with filming expected to start in Spring 2012. Gluttons for punishment and co-creators, Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy, announced that they are also âin discussionsâ? about the possibility of a Merlin film.
But first things first. Speaking about what fans can expect from the new series, Murphy revealed: âIt is scarier but not too scary. We have been careful, but a bit of suspense never hurt anyone. The cast and their characters have grown up and the great thing about a show like Merlin is that the audience tend to grow with you.â?
The first episode provided a glimpse of the kind of windswept scenery, creepy castles and frankly terrifying ghouls who will feature in the new series and the showâs popularity has certainly afforded producers the chance to introduce some more stylish features. âWe are using a lot more green-screen this series,â? Murphy adds to impressed whoops from an excited audience, âthe actors have had to act with nothing around them most of the time!
âAnd we are also using 35mm film. For us it has a softer more magical quality that suits our show. There is a magic too it, thereâs something the light on emulsion does which no HD can touch.â?
Can we expect this to change the face of Merlin forever? Well…âbudget always comes into itâ?.
The first half of an series opening Merlin two-parter will kick series four off on BBC1, October 1st.
