User blog comment:MorganaEmrys/Spin-off, What do you want?/@comment-5939645-20130107184500

The actors may change their mind in time about a spin-off. Remember acting is one of those jobs that its easy to starve at. The "Big Four" (Colin, Katie, Bradley and Angel) had a super break five years ago at a very young age. Merlin jump started their careers. They really don't know how it is not to have a paycheck coming in. Now they're on their own. It's a whole new world; they may find that duplicating the success of Merlin hard. In a few years, they may be very happy to reprise their roles. It's a short walk between being on stage and serving tables.

Before anyone jumps me and says "oh, they're great actors and will always have work", I don't deny their abilities. Colin, in particular, is outstanding. But that may not translate into financial success. Actors come and go all of the time. There are many variables that can make or break an actor's success. I doubt the fact that they turned Shine and the BBC down on a 6th series was popular with the people who run those corporations. Merlin made money for Shine and the BBC; the actors' possibly cost them that money. Could the BBC and Shine hold a quiet grudge; sure, that happens all of the time. They could even lie and say "that's not true, we would never do that", but will anyhow. I'm not trying to paint a bleak picture for any of them; I'm just realistic to possible dangers.

I fundamental believe that without Colin or Bradley, it will be hard to sell as Merlin spin-off in the immediate future. Ten years down the road is a different story. So, if Shine and the BBC wish to make money on Merlin, they must find a way to coax the actors, especially Colin and Bradley, to return. Good scripts and  sound story line would go a long way; Merlin has lacked that for five years. Also, money talks.... offer them more money