The fifth and final series of the British fantasy drama series Merlin began broadcasting on 6 October 2012 with the episode "Arthur's Bane - Part 1" and ended on 24 December 2012 in the UK, with "The Diamond of the Day - Part 2". It consists 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 Justin Molotnikov, Ashley Way, Alice Troughton and Declan O'Dwyer. Writers include Julian Jones (head writer), Howard Overman, Jake Michie and Richard McBrien.
| Merlin | |
|---|---|
| Series 5 | |
 DVD cover | |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC |
| Original release | 6 October – 24 December 2012 |
| Series chronology | |
Series five stars the regular cast from the previous series including Colin Morgan, Angel Coulby, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, and Richard Wilson. Anthony Head returns to the cast in a one episode guest appearance. Alexander Vlahos 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. It was announced on 26 November 2012 that Merlin would end with the fifth series. The two-part finale was broadcast on the 22 and 24 December 2012.[1]
Plot
After three years of peace and harmony, Camelot's future couldn't appear brighter. But as Merlin helps King Arthur to bring the kingdom into a Golden Age, the seeds of Camelot's destruction are being sown as the sorceress Morgana Pendragon resumes plotting Arthur's downfall.
When an old face returns to the castle and gains a position amongst the king's inner circle, Merlin must be on guard more than ever. For the new arrival is the sorcerer Mordred, the Druid boy whose destiny it is to end the King's life and bring chaos to Camelot; after all, Merlin has been warned in the past that Mordred is destined to unite with the evil Morgana in a deadly alliance which will destroy Camelot. With the death song of King Uther haunting the castle, Morgana's powers greater and more dangerous than ever and Guinevere crossing over to the dark side, both Merlin and Arthur find that their destinies are approaching. The battle for Camelot is headed for deadly conclusion and nothing will ever be the same again.
Cast
Main cast
- Colin Morgan as Merlin
- Angel Coulby as Guinevere
- Bradley James as Arthur Pendragon
- Katie McGrath as Morgana Pendragon
- Richard Wilson as Gaius
Recurring
- John Hurt as the Great Dragon (voice)
- Rupert Young as Sir Leon
- Eoin Macken as Sir Gwaine
- Adetomiwa Edun as Sir Elyan
- Tom Hopper as Sir Percival
- Alexander Vlahos as Mordred
Guest star
- Stephen McCole as Ragnor
- Matthew Prowse as Saxon
- Liam Cunningham as Ruadan
- James Fox as King Rodor
- Alfie Stewart as Daegal
- John Bradley West as Tyr Seward
- Julian Glover as Lochru
- Anthony Head as Uther Pendragon
- Erin Richards as Eira
- Tony Guilfoyle as Sindri
- Peter Guinness as Ari
- Kelly Wenham as Queen Mab
- Jane Thorne as Valdis
- Sophie Rundle as Sefa
- Josette Simon as The Euchdag
- Barry Aird as Beroun
- Frances Tomelty as Disir
- Alexandra Dowling as Kara
- Gordon Munro as Alrick
- John Shrapnel as King Sarrum
Episodes
| No. overall | No. in series | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | UK viewers (millions) [2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 1 | "Arthur's Bane - Part 1" | Justin Molotnikov | Julian Jones | 6 October 2012 | 7.12 |
| 54 | 2 | "Arthur's Bane - Part 2" | Justin Molotnikov | Julian Jones | 13 October 2012 | 6.99 |
| 55 | 3 | "The Death Song of Uther Pendragon" | Justin Molotnikov | Howard Overman | 20 October 2012 | 6.86 |
| 56 | 4 | "Another's Sorrow" | Ashley Way | Jake Michie | 27 October 2012 | 6.86 |
| 57 | 5 | "The Disir" | Ashley Way | Richard McBrien | 3 November 2012 | 6.88 |
| 58 | 6 | "The Dark Tower" | Ashley Way | Julian Jones | 10 November 2012 | 6.85 |
| 59 | 7 | "A Lesson in Vengeance" | Alice Troughton | Jake Michie | 17 November 2012 | 6.86 |
| 60 | 8 | "The Hollow Queen" | Alice Troughton | Julian Jones | 24 November 2012 | 6.86 |
| 61 | 9 | "With All My Heart" | Alice Troughton | Richard McBrien | 1 December 2012 | 6.76 |
| 62 | 10 | "The Kindness of Strangers" | Declan O'Dwyer | Richard McBrien | 8 December 2012 | 7.00 |
| 63 | 11 | "The Drawing of the Dark" | Declan O'Dwyer | Julian Jones | 15 December 2012 | 7.34 |
| 64 | 12 | "The Diamond of the Day - Part 1" | Justin Molotnikov | Jake Michie | 22 December 2012 | 8.45 |
| 65 | 13 | "The Diamond of the Day - Part 2" | Justin Molotnikov | Julian Jones | 24 December 2012 | 7.80 |
References
- ^ "Merlin to cast final spell as creators reveal that current series will be the last". 26 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
- ^ "Weekly Viewing Summary (see relevant week)". BARB. Archived from the original on 8 November 2008.