5.591 minSeason 1 • Episode 2
LatestIn the Dark Ages, Merlin the magician finds himself in opposition to Queen Mab and her cohorts.
A retelling of the legend of King Arthur from the perspective of the wizard Merlin. Sam Neill stars in the title role in a story that covers not only the rise and fall of Camelot but also the phase in the legendary history of Britain that precedes it.
Acting
Sam Neill anchors the chaos with unexpected gravitas.
Production
Practical magic effects that aged like fine wine.
Costume
Isabella Rossellini's wardrobe alone deserves its own miniseries.
Creator
Steve Barron
Sam Neill
Merlin
Paul Curran
Arthur
Isabella Rossellini
Nimue
Jeremy Sheffield
Lancelot
Lena Headey
Guinevere
Martin Short
Frik
Mark Jax
Uther
Helena Bonham Carter
Morgan le Fay
Rutger Hauer
King Vortingern
Miranda Richardson
Lady of the Lake / Mab
John Gielgud
King Constant
James Earl Jones
Rock of Ages
Roger Ashton-Griffiths
Sir Boris
Nicholas Clay
Lord Leo
Daniel Brocklebank
Young Merlin
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was NBC's most expensive TV production ever at the time, with a $33 million budget.
Lena Headey played Guinevere here before eventually becoming Cersei—she's been betraying heroes since the '90s.
US
