BBC Develops Merlin
Wondering what Julie Gardner is doing while Doctor Who takes a break over the next year? According to TimesOnline she’s working on bringing Merlin to BBC One. Riding the success of Doctor Who the BBC is taking a unique approach to the well known British Legend by looking at Smallville. Much like Smallville shows Clark Kent before he becomes the legand, they plan to do the same for Arthur and Merlin. Showing the road to greatness by introducing both Arthur and Merlin as young adults (well before Arthur becomes king and Merlin a full-fledged wizard).
According to producer Johnny Capps, “Merlin is a boy who works as Arthur’s manservant and has to hide his abilities. Arthur is a young man, rather like Prince Harry, who likes to party, enjoys his status, but occasionally shows kingly qualities. That then gave us great possibilities for taking the story on. We could follow the two of them to see how Arthur unites the land of Albion and Merlin becomes the great wizard.”
Definitely something worth checking out. With the success of the Doctor they are obviously trying more scifi and/or fantasy based shows. Let’s hope is merits continued viewing.
