Series 5

Series 1 • Series 2 • Series 3 • Series 4 • Series 5 Series 5 will be the fifth series of the highly popular drama show, Merlin. It has been officially commissioned by the BBC, due to popularity and anticipation. This was confirmed 24 July 2011 by Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps. Filming began on 12th March 2012 in Cardiff, Wales and Pierrefonds, France. 13 episodes have been ordered.

The fifth series will air in Autumn 2012 (This was confirmed by Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy during their acceptance speech for the SFX Phenomenon Award). This would mean that it will be shown in the UK at the same time as Doctor Who's seventh series.

Confirmed Information

 * Mordred will return and will be played by Alexander Vlahos.
 * The season will open with a two-part episode. The two-parter will jump ahead in time and it'll be surprising to realise where the characters are at.
 * Sara Hamill, producer of Merlin Series 4 and 5, confirmed via her twitter that Justin Molotnikov will be returning to direct the first 3 episodes.
 * Mordred will have long hair, the actor indicating that he was "wig-fitting".
 * There will be two new monsters we haven't met before in the first two episodes.
 * Filming began on 12 March 2012.
 * Mordred will ride on a horse, the actor indicating he was "horse riding".
 * Dragons will be more involved in the major plot line. The producers are playing with the ideas of the two battling dragons, the red one and the white one, with their own twist.
 * Julian Jones is writing the first two episodes.
 * The writers are clearly satisfied with the debate regarding the twist at the end of Series 4, where Aithusa saved Morgana.
 * The writers have stated that Mordred has a job to do at the end of the story.
 * Aithusa and Kilgharrah will both return.
 * After the finale showed the white dragon Aithusa saving a dying Morgana, there's been some debate on whether the creators are drawing on the legend of the red dragon (representing Camelot) kills the white dragon (symbolising the Saxons) and the writers are clearly satisfied with the reaction: "We hoped it was a nice tease..."
 * Morgana is growing into a stronger and more committed enemy than ever before. The stakes are becoming higher now that Arthur is king and the future of Albion is being created, there's more for Merlin to fight for and more for him to protect so as he gets older, he's tested as a character because everything in the world becomes more serious.
 * Series 5 is going to be darker. An older and wiser Merlin will struggle between making some very difficult decisions and trying to tread a very careful path between what is good and what is bad.
 * Morgana's new outfits are more sumptuous, less "she's living in a hovel" and more sort of "medieval couture". (Go to 1:37 )
 * "The length of Merlin is all about whether the audience are enjoying it. If they still enjoy the series we'll keep making it, but we will absolutely wrap it up properly when it does come to an end".
 * An action fight will be seen in a quarry.
 * Gwen will have a more prominent role as Arthur's confidant.
 * Merlin's hair and clothes will be the same. The producers have argued that it's his trademark clothes, what he's known by.
 * The Saxons will appear
 * The Great Seas of Meredor will appear, the picture below confirms it.
 * Merlin will not have a love interest this season, indicating that it's unlikely Freya will appear.
 * Arthur's hair is slightly longer.
 * Magic wolves will appear.
 * Liam Cunningham, a confirmed cast member, has strongly hinted acting as a corpse in Merlin.
 * The writers have stated the relationship between Guinevere and Merlin has always been close and will not change.
 * Guinevere will play a very different role, now that she is queen.
 * Mordred will align with both Morgana and Arthur, meaning that it is possible that he will be a protagonist at one stage, or he will be like Agravaine and pretending to work with Arthur while actually spying on him for Morgana, or vice versa.
 * The cast were seen filming in the Clearwell Caves, which is the place where Agravaine died.
 * Mithian will return.
 * Annis will return.
 * Gwaine will have a bigger role in Series 5.
 * Morgana Pendragon may have power over Aithusa.
 * Series 5 won't have as many guest roles, because last season, the guest roles cut off a lot the screentime for the main cast.
 * The Knights will be developed further.
 * The camera will be on Mordred a lot during Series 5, indicating that it's possible that he'll replace Nathaniel Parker in the opening credits.

Main Cast

 * Merlin - Colin Morgan
 * King Arthur Pendragon - Bradley James
 * Morgana Pendragon - Katie McGrath
 * Queen Guinevere Pendragon - Angel Coulby
 * Gaius - Richard Wilson
 * Nimueh - Michelle Ryan
 * Sir Gwaine - Eoin Macken
 * Sir Leon - Rupert Young
 * Sir Percival - Tom Hopper
 * Sir Elyan - Adetomiwa Edun

Recurring Cast

 * Mordred - Alexander Vlahos
 * Kilgharrah, the Great Dragon - John Hurt
 * Geoffrey of Monmouth - Michael Cronin
 * Aithusa - Unknown Voice
 * Queen Annis - Lindsay Duncan
 * Mithian - Janet Montgomery

Guest Stars

 * Ragnor- Stephen McCole
 * Saxon - Matthew Prowse
 * Unknown Character - Ross Machin
 * Unknown Character - Liam Cunningham

Cast Notes

 * For a page of villains that may return, just click here.
 * Alvarr's return confirmation was only a rumour.
 * Liam Cunningham has strongly hinted acting a corpse in Merlin, and meeting Richard Wilson.
 * Eoin Macken tweeted on twitter "Last day filming with the irresistabely talented Gary Shore & Mark Patten... then go rejoin those chaps in Camelot..." This could likely mean he missed a few weeks of filming. Which means he could be in less episodes.
 * The Dochraid has been hinted to appear.

Episodes
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Title

 * Director
 * Writer
 * Original Air Date
 * UK Viewers (Millions)
 * 1
 * Justin Molotnikov
 * Julian Jones
 * 2
 * Justin Molotnikov
 * Julian Jones
 * 3
 * Justin Molotnikov
 * 4
 * 5
 * 6
 * 7
 * 8
 * 9
 * 10
 * 12.
 * 13.
 * }
 * 4
 * 5
 * 6
 * 7
 * 8
 * 9
 * 10
 * 12.
 * 13.
 * }
 * 5
 * 6
 * 7
 * 8
 * 9
 * 10
 * 12.
 * 13.
 * }
 * 7
 * 8
 * 9
 * 10
 * 12.
 * 13.
 * }
 * 8
 * 9
 * 10
 * 12.
 * 13.
 * }
 * 8
 * 9
 * 10
 * 12.
 * 13.
 * }
 * 9
 * 10
 * 12.
 * 13.
 * }
 * 10
 * 12.
 * 13.
 * }
 * 12.
 * 13.
 * }
 * 12.
 * 13.
 * }
 * 12.
 * 13.
 * }
 * 13.
 * }
 * 13.
 * }
 * 13.
 * }
 * }
 * }
 * }
 * }
 * }