'Merlin' Season 3: Camelot Will Never Be the Same Again
Syfy has acquired the third season of the international series for a U.S. television premiere in early 2011.
Colin Morgan on "Merlin"
August 12, 2010
NEW YORK, NEW YORK — Syfy will rekindle the magic of Camelot, announcing today the acquisition from FremantleMedia Enterprises of season 3 of the popular "Merlin" series, which will make its U.S. television premiere on Syfy in early 2011.
The second season of "Merlin" concluded on Syfy, Friday, July 2. It averaged a 1.3 HH rating, 1.72 million total viewers, 687,000 Adults 18-49 and 938,000 Adults 25-54 based on Live +7 DVR data.
Compared to the Friday 10PM time period in 2Q '09, Merlin was up +63% in HH rating, +81% in total viewers, +96% in Adults 18-49 and +95% in Adults 25-54.
In making the announcement, Chris Regina, Vice President, Programming and Original Movies, Syfy, said: "The enchanting imagination of Merlin proved very popular with our audience and we're delighted to bring the series back for a third season on Syfy."
Commented Lisa Honig, SVP, Program Distribution FME North America: ''We are extremely excited about the next season of 'Merlin' returning on Syfy, following the success we had with the second series. We look forward to growing the audience and feeding the appetite of the devotees who already love the program, the characters and the brand."
"Merlin" creator and executive producer Johnny Capps said: "We are thrilled that Syfy will be broadcasting the third series of Merlin. The upcoming season will add an exciting new twist to Merlin's ongoing struggle to protect Prince Arthur, as well as thrilling audiences with bigger and bolder action sequences, stunning CGI monsters, mysterious villains and comic fun for all the family."
"Merlin" returns with a host of brand new guest stars joining the popular regular cast to enthrall audiences over the 13-week run. In season 3, there is a familiar blend of magic, monsters and mayhem, but when secrets are exposed and old friends choose new sides, it is clear that the kingdom of Camelot will never be the same again.
Warwick Davis ("Harry Potter" films, "The Chronicles of Narnia") will play Grettir, Miriam Margoyles ("Harry Potter" films, "Being Julia") will play Grunhilda, and Mark Williams ("Harry Potter" films, "The Fast Show") is Goblin. Guest stars from the previous season such as Emilia Fox ("The Pianist" and "Ballet Shoes") who plays Morgause, and Santiago Cabrera ("Heroes" and "Che"), who plays Launcelot, will also be returning for this series.
Colin Morgan returns as Merlin, who must fulfill his destiny of protecting the young Prince Arthur (Bradley James) and the kingdom of Camelot, a place where magic has been banned by the ruthless King Uther (Anthony Head). They rejoin Katie McGrath as the mesmerizing Morgana, the King's ward who has a secret she dare not reveal, Angel Coulby as her loyal maid Gwen, and Richard Wilson as wise Court physician Gaius.
Legendary actor John Hurt returns to provide the Voice of the Great Dragon.
The show is produced and created by the award winning team at Shine TV. FME holds the exclusive distribution, home entertainment and licensing rights to "Merlin" (known as "The Adventures of Merlin" in the rest of the world outside the US and UK) and has sold the series to over 52 broadcasters in more than 180 countries including Network Ten in Australia, MICO in Japan and RTL in Germany.
This third season of "Merlin" will air in the UK on BBC One in September.
The second season of "Merlin" concluded on Syfy, Friday, July 2. It averaged a 1.3 HH rating, 1.72 million total viewers, 687,000 Adults 18-49 and 938,000 Adults 25-54 based on Live +7 DVR data.
Compared to the Friday 10PM time period in 2Q '09, Merlin was up +63% in HH rating, +81% in total viewers, +96% in Adults 18-49 and +95% in Adults 25-54.
In making the announcement, Chris Regina, Vice President, Programming and Original Movies, Syfy, said: "The enchanting imagination of Merlin proved very popular with our audience and we're delighted to bring the series back for a third season on Syfy."
Commented Lisa Honig, SVP, Program Distribution FME North America: ''We are extremely excited about the next season of 'Merlin' returning on Syfy, following the success we had with the second series. We look forward to growing the audience and feeding the appetite of the devotees who already love the program, the characters and the brand."
"Merlin" creator and executive producer Johnny Capps said: "We are thrilled that Syfy will be broadcasting the third series of Merlin. The upcoming season will add an exciting new twist to Merlin's ongoing struggle to protect Prince Arthur, as well as thrilling audiences with bigger and bolder action sequences, stunning CGI monsters, mysterious villains and comic fun for all the family."
"Merlin" returns with a host of brand new guest stars joining the popular regular cast to enthrall audiences over the 13-week run. In season 3, there is a familiar blend of magic, monsters and mayhem, but when secrets are exposed and old friends choose new sides, it is clear that the kingdom of Camelot will never be the same again.
Warwick Davis ("Harry Potter" films, "The Chronicles of Narnia") will play Grettir, Miriam Margoyles ("Harry Potter" films, "Being Julia") will play Grunhilda, and Mark Williams ("Harry Potter" films, "The Fast Show") is Goblin. Guest stars from the previous season such as Emilia Fox ("The Pianist" and "Ballet Shoes") who plays Morgause, and Santiago Cabrera ("Heroes" and "Che"), who plays Launcelot, will also be returning for this series.
Colin Morgan returns as Merlin, who must fulfill his destiny of protecting the young Prince Arthur (Bradley James) and the kingdom of Camelot, a place where magic has been banned by the ruthless King Uther (Anthony Head). They rejoin Katie McGrath as the mesmerizing Morgana, the King's ward who has a secret she dare not reveal, Angel Coulby as her loyal maid Gwen, and Richard Wilson as wise Court physician Gaius.
Legendary actor John Hurt returns to provide the Voice of the Great Dragon.
The show is produced and created by the award winning team at Shine TV. FME holds the exclusive distribution, home entertainment and licensing rights to "Merlin" (known as "The Adventures of Merlin" in the rest of the world outside the US and UK) and has sold the series to over 52 broadcasters in more than 180 countries including Network Ten in Australia, MICO in Japan and RTL in Germany.
This third season of "Merlin" will air in the UK on BBC One in September.
Recurring & Guests