With the currently airing second series attracting audiences of more than 6 million, the BBC has announced fantasy series Merlin will return for a third run next year.
Confirming the third series, BBC drama commissioner Ben Stephenson said: “We are thrilled that Shine Television will be creating a new series for BBC One. I’m looking forward to seeing what adventures our popular young wizard, and his friends in Camelot, will go on in series three.”
The series, which stars Colin Morgan as Merlin and Bradley James as Prince Arthur, has fared better than BBC One’s axed Robin Hood but has failed to match the success of the channel’s Doctor Who.
Johnny Capps, the show’s Executive Producer, promised the second series would end with a “thrilling finale’ which would leave viewers “wondering what happens next”.
The current series ends on Saturday 19 December.