BBC One will be hoping Merlin help to enchant audiences when the 13-part series starts this September.
This new take on the legend follows the unlikely friendship of would-be wizard Merlin (Colin Morgan) and Prince Arthur (Bradley James). The cast also includes Richard Wilson as Gaius, Anthony Head as King Uther Pendragon, rising star Angel Coulby as Guinevere and newcomer Katie McGrath as Morgana.
Multi-award-winning actor John Hurt has just been cast as the Voice of the Great Dragon. Enigmatic and powerful, he alone knows Merlin’s true destiny.
Discussing the series format Julie Gardner, Head of Drama, BBC Wales, says: “In this new version, Merlin and Arthur are young contemporaries for the first time ever, bringing a much-loved tale to a whole new generation with a fresh, youthful new look and approach for Saturday nights this autumn on BBC One.”
Rounding off the cast are Heroes star Santiago Cabrera as Lancelot and Bionic Woman Michelle Ryan as the wicked sorceress Nimueh.
This version of the Arthur legend ia a rites of passage story which sees Merlin and Arthur on the cusp of adulthood – both on their journey to greatness in a time before history began.
The show is created and produced by Shine Television – the International Emmy Award-winning production team behind Hex and Sugar Rush – Julian Murphy, Johnny Capps, Jake Michie and Julian Jones.
Johnny Capps, Shine Television, says: “It’s a privilege to be given the opportunity to reinvent a classic British legend for this important family slot.
“We have a wonderful cast and fantastic locations, which we hope will bring alive the magic and myth of Camelot for a new audience.”