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Merlin series 4

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Merlin
Series 4
DVD cover
No. of episodes13
Release
Original networkBBC
Original release1 October (2011-10-01) –
24 December 2011 (2011-12-24)
Series chronology
← Previous
Series 3
Next →
Series 5
List of episodes

The fourth series of the British drama series Merlin began on 1 October 2011 with the episode "The Darkest Hour - Part 1". It consists of 13 episodes originally shown on Saturday evenings on BBC One and BBC One HD (repeats shown on BBC Three). The series producer was Sara Hamill, and executive producers were Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy. The directors of the series include Alice Troughton, Alex Pillai, Justin Molotnikov and Jeremy Webb.[1] Writers include Julian Jones (head writer), Howard Overman, Jake Michie, Lucy Watkins, and Richard McBrien.

Series four stars the regular cast from the previous series including Colin Morgan, Angel Coulby, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, and Richard Wilson. Credited as a regular, Anthony Head left the series after his character was killed off in "The Wicked Day". Nathaniel Parker joined the regular cast in this series (credited as such for the first time in "Aithusa") and John Hurt returned as the voice of the Great Dragon. Supporting cast members include Adetomiwa Edun, Eoin Macken, Tom Hopper, and Rupert Young.

Notable guest actors include Santiago Cabrera, Emilia Fox, Gemma Jones, Phil Davis, James Callis, Lindsay Duncan, Gary Lewis,[1] Charlene McKenna,[2] Janet Montgomery,[3] Terence Maynard,[3] Ben Daniels,[4] Miranda Raison[4] and Caroline Faber.[4]

Plot

A year has passed since Morgana fell from power and openly betrayed Camelot, and Camelot has entered a dark age. With Uther left heartbroken from the ultimate betrayal his daughter committed, it is now up to Prince Arthur to take charge. A new face has arrived at court; Agravaine, the young Prince's uncle and most trusted advisor, however is he to be trusted? After all one can be betrayed by anyone, Arthur has been forced to learn.

With Morgana's powers growing at an alarming rate outside the castle walls, Merlin must be more cautious than ever if he is to protect Arthur and save Albion from falling into dust. With the trust of Merlin, Guinevere and Gaius to back him as Camelot enters dark times, Arthur is given a lease of hope. However whilst enemies grow stronger outside the walls of Camelot, another flourishes from within....with loyalties tested to their very limit, Merlin and Arthur must place their full trust in one another if they are to prevent the kingdom from falling into Morgana's hands; if the vengeful sorceress takes the throne, Camelot will be doomed to eternal darkness. As Morgana spreads fear and horror throughout Albion, Guienevere meets her destiny, Arthur finds the weight of a kingdom to bear and Merlin finds his destiny fast approaching, the battle for Camelot may be closer than anyone could've thought....

Cast

The full list of cast members is as follows:[5][6]

Main cast

Recurring

Guest stars

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUK viewers
(millions) [12]
401"The Darkest Hour - Part 1"Alice TroughtonJulian Jones1 October 2011 (2011-10-01)6.40
412"The Darkest Hour - Part 2"Alice TroughtonJulian Jones8 October 2011 (2011-10-08)6.80
423"The Wicked Day"Alice TroughtonHoward Overman15 October 2011 (2011-10-15)7.04
434"Aithusa"Alex PillaiJulian Jones22 October 2011 (2011-10-22)6.96
445"His Father's Son"Alex PillaiJake Michie29 October 2011 (2011-10-29)7.40
456"A Servant of Two Masters"Alex PillaiLucy Watkins5 November 2011 (2011-11-05)6.94
467"The Secret Sharer"Justin MolotnikovJulian Jones12 November 2011 (2011-11-12)6.72
478"Lamia"Justin MolotnikovJake Michie19 November 2011 (2011-11-19)7.00
489"Lancelot du Lac"Justin MolotnikovLucy Watkins26 November 2011 (2011-11-26)7.32
4910"A Herald of the New Age"Jeremy WebbHoward Overman3 December 2011 (2011-12-03)6.90
5011"The Hunter's Heart"Jeremy WebbRichard McBrien10 December 2011 (2011-12-10)7.12
5112"The Sword in the Stone - Part 1"Alice TroughtonJake Michie17 December 2011 (2011-12-17)8.39
5213"The Sword in the Stone - Part 2"Alice TroughtonJulian Jones24 December 2011 (2011-12-24)8.18

Production

The production of a fourth series of Merlin was confirmed on 25 October 2010.[13] Anthony Head confirmed that the show will air in September 2011. Series 4 will consist of 13 episodes.[14] Colin Morgan said episodes would no longer be as stand-alone, "Each episode takes a progression as a piece of a jigsaw that has to be completed. There's no reverse going on."[15] Due to the popularity of the show, Merlin has been renewed for a fifth series.

Casting

Three days before the series finale Julian Jones the series creator stated that Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby, Anthony Head, and Richard Wilson are all contracted for multiple season and they would return as series regulars. John Hurt who narrated the show and plays the voice of the great dragon would also be upgraded back into a series regular after having a recurring role in season two. On 19 August 2011 Phil Davis was cast as the Gleeman. Nathaniel Parker[16] and Charlene McKenna[17] would also join the casting playing Agravaine and Lamia. James Callis joined that casting for the fourth episode as Julius Borden.[9] Gemma Jones will play Cailleach the gatekeeper to the spirit world.[16] Lindsay Duncan will appear in one episode playing the Queen of Annis. Steven Hartley also joined the casting as King Caerleon.[11][18] Rupert Young will also return.[citation needed] Tom Hopper and Adetomiwa Edun confirmed that they will also return on their roles.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ a b "BBC, Merlin, Series 4, The Secret Sharer". BBC. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  2. ^ "BBC, Merlin, Series 4, Lamia". BBC. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  3. ^ a b c "BBC, Merlin, Series 4, The Hunter's Heart". BBC. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "BBC, Merlin, Series 4, The Sword in the Stone: Part One". BBC. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  5. ^ "Merlin - Heroes". BBC. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  6. ^ "Merlin - Villains: Series 4". BBC. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
  7. ^ "BBC, Merlin, Series 4, The Sword in the Stone: Part Two". BBC. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  8. ^ "BBC, Merlin, Series 4, The Darkest Hour - Part 1". BBC. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  9. ^ a b "Network TV BBC Week 43: Saturday 22 October 2011". BBC. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  10. ^ BBC - Merlin - Princess Mithian played by Janet Montgomery
  11. ^ a b "radiotimes.com – Merlin Series 4 - 5. His Father's Son". BBC Magazines Ltd. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  12. ^ "Weekly Viewing Summary (see relevant week)". BARB. Archived from the original on 8 November 2008.
  13. ^ "'Merlin' renewed for fourth series - Merlin News - TV". Digital Spy. 25 October 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  14. ^ "MERLIN Season 4 Announced | Daemon's TV". Daemonstv.com. 26 October 2010. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  15. ^ Byrne, Craig (28 July 2011). "Interview: Merlin's Colin Morgan Reveals Season 4 Magic". ksitetv.com. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  16. ^ a b TV and Radio (30 September 2011). "Merlin, BBC One: behind the scenes". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  17. ^ "My new slippery role in Merlin - Charlene". Herald.ie. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  18. ^ "stevenhartley.net". stevenhartley.net. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
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