Merlin (series 4)

Merlin series 4
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of episodes	13
Broadcast
Original channel	BBC
Original run	1 October 2011 – 24 December 2011
Series chronology
← Previous Series 3 Next → Series 5
List of Merlin episodes

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

Series four stars the regular cast from the previous series including Colin Morgan, Angel Coulby, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, and Richard Wilson. Anthony Head left the series after "The Wicked Day". Nathaniel Parker became part of the regular cast in this series and John Hurt returned as the voice of the 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^[2] and Charlene McKenna^[3].

Cast

The full list of cast members is as follows^[4][5]:

Main Cast

• Colin Morgan as Merlin
• Angel Coulby as Gwen
• Bradley James as Arthur
• Katie McGrath as Morgana
• Nathaniel Parker as Lord Agravaine
• Richard Wilson as Gaius
• John Hurt as Kilgharrah the Great Dragon (voice only)

Recurring

• Anthony Head as Uther Pendragon
• Santiago Cabrera as Sir Lancelot
• Eoin Macken as Sir Gwaine
• Rupert Young as Sir Leon
• Tom Hopper as Sir Percival
• Adetomiwa Edun as Sir Elyan
• Emilia Fox as Morgause

Guest star

• Gemma Jones as The Cailleach^[6]
• Phil Davis as The Gleeman
• James Callis as Julius Borden^[7]
• Charlene McKenna as Lamia
• Hayley Bishop as Caelia
• Lindsay Duncan as Queen Annis
• Steven Hartley as King Caerleon^[8]
• Zee Asha as Audrey
• Emma Tainton as Servant
• Andrew Fowler as Knight of Camelot
• Sarah Beck Mather as Vilia
• Zig Byfield as Goron^{[citation needed]}
• Gary Lewis as Alator of the Catha

Production

The production of a fourth series of Merlin was confirmed on 25 October 2010.^[9] Anthony Head confirmed that the show will air in September 2011. Series 4 will consist of 13 episodes.^[10] 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."^[11] 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 August 18, 2011 Michelle Ryan who played Nimueh in season one as a recurring would also return in this season as Merlin's worst enemy. On August 19, 2011 Phil Davis was cast as the Gleeman. Nathaniel Parker^[12] and Charlene McKenna ^[13] would also join the casting playing Agravaine and Lamia. James Callis joined that casting for the fourth episode as Julius Borden.^[7] Gemma Jones will play Cailleach the gatekeeper to the spirit world.^[12] Lindsay Duncan will appear in one episode playing the Queen of Annis. Steven Hartley also joined the casting as King Caerleon.^{[14] [8]} Rupert Young and David Schofield will also return.^{[citation needed]} Tom Hopper, Adetomiwa Edun, and Alice Patten confirmed that they will also return on their roles.^{[citation needed]} Laura Donnelly who played Freya in season two and three will also return to the series.^{[citation needed]}

Episodes

№	#	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	UK viewers (million)[15]
40	1	"The Darkest Hour (Part 1)"	Alice Troughton	Julian Jones	1 October 2011 (2011-10-01)	6.40
Merlin faces his toughest challenge yet when Morgana's blinkered determination threatens not only Arthur's future, but the very balance of the world. With her magic stronger than ever, the sorceress summons the mighty Callieach to tear open the veil between the worlds. Hellish creatures pour forth, killing any who succumb to their touch. With Uther a shadow of his former self, it falls to Arthur and his loyal knights, including Lancelot, to protect the kingdom. But it will take more than just swords to vanquish their enemy and Merlin is shocked to the core when he discovers the only way to restore the equilibrium requires a sacrifice of unimaginable proportions.
41	2	"The Darkest Hour (Part 2)"	Alice Troughton	Julian Jones	8 October 2011 (2011-10-08)	6.80
The kingdom is on the brink of collapse, with Morgana poised to strike. As Lancelot races back to Camelot with the dying Merlin, Arthur must continue on his mission to vanquish the Dorocha without them. Though the Knights know their journey to the Isle of the Blessed is fraught with danger, none could anticipate the sacrifice Arthur intends to make there. Friendship and loyalty are tested to the limit, but in the end, it is the power of love that changes all their lives forever...
42	3	"The Wicked Day"	Alice Troughton	Howard Overman	15 October 2011 (2011-10-15)	7.04
The mighty citadel is buzzing in anticipation of the prince's birthday celebrations. But Arthur's old adversary, Odin, promises to ensure this is one party Camelot will never forget. For amongst the assembling guests lurks a deadly assassin, set to strike. As the dust settles, Camelot is left devastated. But just how far is Merlin prepared to go to put things right? Would he really risk everything and reveal his secret?
43	4	"Aithusa"	Alex Pillai	Julian Jones	22 October 2011 (2011-10-22)	6.96
The mysterious Julius Borden arrives in Camelot with news of a magical secret that threatens to change the landscape of the kingdom forever. He has located the final part of the key to the tomb of Ashkanar, an ancient mausoleum which holds a very special treasure: the last remaining dragon's egg. Merlin is understandably drawn in by Borden's news, and promises to help him. But just who is the enigmatic stranger and, more importantly, why does he really want with the egg?
44	5	"His Father's Son"	Alex Pillai	Jake Michie	29 October 2011 (2011-10-29)	7.40
For the first time since his coronation, Arthur finds out what it's really like to be King. Arthur faces his first true test as King when he incurs the wrath of the formidable Queen Annis. With the lives of thousands hanging in the balance, Arthur must find the strength to be his own man and become the leader Camelot so desperately needs.
45	6	"A Servant of Two Masters"	Alex Pillai	Lucy Watkins	5 November 2011 (2011-11-05)	6.94
When Merlin falls into Morgana's hands, he becomes a deadly weapon in her fight for supremacy. Using ancient magic, she pits friend against friend and creates the perfect assassin. An oblivious Arthur is in great danger. Will anyone notice Merlin's unusual behaviour before he does the King some serious harm?
46	7	"The Secret Sharer"	Justin Molotnikov	Julian Jones	12 November 2011 (2011-11-12)	6.72
Morgana joins forces with enigmatic wizard named Alator to uncover a secret that could change the course of destiny. With allies on both sides of the castle walls, can anyone stop her before Merlin's mystery's secret is revealed?
47	8	"Lamia"	Justin Molotnikov	Jake Michie	19 November 2011 (2011-11-19)	5.65 (overnight)
Merlin is struck by a mysterious illness that draws him to a distant village where something sinister lurks. Before long, he finds himself embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse - but he cannot be sure if he is the hunter or the prey.
48	9	"Lancelot du Lac"	Justin Molotnikov	Lucy Watkins	26 November 2011 (2011-11-26)
When Sir Lancelot returns from the dead, old feelings reignite. Gwen must fight temptation before she commits an unspeakable act of betrayal; one that would destroy the legacy of Camelot forever. With heads and hearts thrown into turmoil, Merlin becomes suspicious. Can a man really defy death, or is there something more sinister at play?
49	10	"A Herald of the New Age"	Jeremy Webb	Howard Overman	3 December 2011 (2011-12-03)
The Camelot Knights stumble across an eerie shrine deep in the forest, its chilling atmosphere betraying a dark history best left undisturbed. But when Elyan ignores Merlin's warning, his actions spark a chain of events more frightening than anyone could possibly have imagined.
50	11				10 December 2011 (2011-12-10)
Morgana finds a powerful ally in the Southron warlord Helios. Together they hatch the perfect plan to force Camelot to its knees... With the Kingdom - and Arthur - preoccupied by the arrival of the beautiful Princess Mithian, it falls to an absent friend to raise the alarm. But with past wounds still raw, can love really conquer all when Guinevere returns? Or is a deadly arrow destined to fly straight into the heart of Camelot?

References

1. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017859b
2. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017859b
3. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017hd1n
4. ^ [1]
5. ^ [2]
6. ^ "BBC, Merlin, Series 4, The Darkest Hour - Part 1". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00kf3w5. Retrieved 2011-10-17. 
7. ^ ^{a b} "Network TV BBC Week 43: Saturday 22 October 2011". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/2011/wk43/sat.shtml#sat_merlin. Retrieved 2011-10-06. 
8. ^ ^{a b} "radiotimes.com – Merlin Series 4 - 5. His Father's Son". BBC Magazines Ltd.. http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/nkqtv/merlin-his-father%27s-son. Retrieved 2011-10-21. 
9. ^ Published Monday, Oct 25 2010, 01:17 BST (2010-10-25). "'Merlin' renewed for fourth series - Merlin News - TV". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/s53/merlin/news/a283945/merlin-renewed-for-fourth-series.html. Retrieved 2011-10-18. 
10. ^ "MERLIN Season 4 Announced | Daemon's TV". Daemonstv.com. 2010-10-26. http://www.daemonstv.com/2010/10/26/merlin-season-4-announced/. Retrieved 2011-10-18. 
11. ^ Byrne, Craig (28 July 2011). "Interview: Merlin’s Colin Morgan Reveals Season 4 Magic". ksitetv.com. http://www.ksitetv.com/7335/interview-merlins-colin-morgan-reveals-season-4-magic/. Retrieved 29 July 2011. 
12. ^ ^{a b} TV and Radio. "Merlin, BBC One: behind the scenes". Telegraph.co.uk. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8765909/Merlin-BBC-One-behind-the-scenes.html. Retrieved 2011-10-18. 
13. ^ "My new slippery role in Merlin - Charlene". Herald.ie. 2011-10-18. http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/my-new-slippery-role-in-merlin-charlene-2908666.html. Retrieved 2011-11-01. 
14. ^ "stevenhartley.net". stevenhartley.net. http://www.stevenhartley.net/tv.html. Retrieved 2011-10-18. 
15. ^ "Weekly Viewing Summary (see relevant week)". BARB. http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklyterrestrial&requesttimeout=500.