BBC Orders 2nd Season of ‘Merlin’
The revisionist take on Camelot, Merlin, has been given a second season order by the BBC according to Variety. The series, starring Colin Morgan as the young wizard, has aired on BBC’s coveted Saturday night usually take n by Doctor Who and Robin Hood. NBC already bought American broadcast rights and intends to schedule the series in the first half of 2009.
The premise has the series occurring during the days of Arthur’s father, King Uther, but Camelot already exists. Merlin is an apprentice magician, not aging backwards, and befriends a young Arthur (Bradley James). The series also features supporting characters played by Michelle Ryan (Bionic Woman) John Hurt (Alien), and Anthony Stewart Head (Buffy).
The series was developed by Shine, the BBC, and distributor FremantleMedia Enterprises and is now running in 112 territories. In the UK, its 28% audience share was considered above average, easily confirming a second season order.
Did they buy broadcast rights or format rights? I can't even think of the last British series to get shown on American network television. Unless they're planning to put it on a cable channel or something.
I have looked on the NBC website, and they are showing the actual BBC series, which is great news and rather surprising for a US network.
When is the second series on tv? Doni – Jakarta – Indonesia