User blog comment:Lady in Waiting/It's Official - S5 is Merlin's Last!/@comment-4190137-20121126092115/@comment-5745656-20121127023148

Although, it is still very possible!

I say that because it is not uncommon to use drama to sell drama. They might actually be truthful in saying this is the last Series, but BBC One and Jones & Murphy might decide there is still more to tell of this retelling and will agree to commission another Series. Wouldn't that be a dramatic surprise come next October, or earlier at ComicCon - "We have a big announcement, there will be a Series 6!  Screams, screams, faints, yelps, audience cannot be contained...

I suspect it could be a set-up for more to come, unexpectedly.

I do agree though, the actors knew after shooting the last two eps of S5 that they were Series finale eps, and yet they continued to interview with comments about S6. Hmmm...Gotta fulfill their contracts.

Maybe they will do a mini-series or special two-hour ep next year.