Series 4



Series 4
Series 4 of Merlin will air in autumn 2011. Its air date is not yet known. The series was originally cut to ten episodes from the previous series' 13 due to financial issues. It was deemed better to reduce the length of the series and maintain the quality rather than staying with 13 episodes but having to reduce the budget and therefor the quality for each. It was also originally rumored to air in early 2012, later than its usual slot in autumn so that it wouldn't clash with Autumn half of Doctor Who Series 6 running in the same period. However, Johnny Capps revealed on 18 March 2011 that the show has been increased to its original 13 episodes, opening with a two-parter. Filming started in mid-March 2011. Block 1 at Pierrefonds finished May 20th and the cast and crew should return to France for Block 2, starting June 20th and continuing until June 24th. This season is said to be darker than the rest, with the other three having a few violent scenes, and this one having much more. Most characters will show a darker side to their personality.

Rumours

 * The first episode will be called "Revival of the Witch." This may mean Morgause ' or even Nimueh 
 * Nathaniel Parker will play Arthur's uncle, Agravaine. This has been confirmed.
 * Arthur will become either King or Regent King. Uther is broken, so he takes a bit more control.
 * Morgause will be revived by Morgana and will return. This has been confirmed.
 * Freya will return. This is likely as producers have said Merlin and Freya will grow closer, and they only spoke for a short time in Series 3.
 * Morgana will return. This has been confirmed.
 * With the loss of Cenred, Morgana and Morgause will form an alliance with King Alined. This has been confirmed.
 * Mordred will return. There is a possibility.
 * Excalibur will make an appearance. This is likely
 * Gwaine will be the second knight out of The Knights of the Round Table to find out about Merlins secret
 * Morgana kills Uther.
 * Gwen and Arthur will get married. This has been comfirmed.
 * Grettir will make an appearance. This has been confirmed. Warwick Davis was seen at the setting of "Grettir's Bridge" on April 26
 * Merlin will show a darker side to his personality.
 * Morgana will meet the Great Dragon.
 * Merlin is badly injured and Arthur defies Leon to save him.
 * Merlin will disguise as Dragoon the Great (Old Merlin) again. This has been confirmed.
 * The Isle of the Blessed will reappear. This has been confirmed.
 * Gwen has been looking after the King during the year gap between Series 3 and 4.
 * Nimueh will return. Her profile on the BBC implies this.
 * Morgause kills Gaius.
 * Somebody is going to be burnt at the stake. This has been confirmed.
 * Entertainers arrive in Camelot.
 * The tension between Gwen and Morgana increases considerably.
 * Arthur's loyalties will be tested to the limit. This has been confirmed.
 * Elena and Godwyn will return.
 * Ygraine will appear.
 * Sidhe's will appear.
 * Arthur will learn the truth of his birth again.
 * Merlin will reveal his powers.
 * More Knights of the Round Table.
 * Agravaine will be the new enemy within the walls of Camelot. This has been confirmed.
 * Avalon will reappear.
 * A new dragon will appear. This is unlikely as it has been stated many times that Kilgharrah is the last dragon.
 * Gilli will return and form an alliance with Agravaine.
 * Cornelius Sigan's soul will posess another person.
 * Uther will die.
 * Hunith will return. This has been confirmed.
 * Gilli kills Knight of Camelot.

Cast to Appear

 * Colin Morgan as Merlin
 * Bradley James as Arthur Pendragon
 * Katie McGrath as Morgana Pendragon
 * Angel Coulby as Guinevere
 * Anthony Head as Uther Pendragon
 * Richard Wilson as Gaius
 * Rupert Young as Leon
 * Emilia Fox as Morgause
 * John Hurt as the voice of Kilgharrah
 * Charlenne McKenna as Lamia
 * David Schofield as Alined
 * Laura Donnelly as Freya
 * Georgia King as Elena
 * Santiago Cabrera as Lancelot
 * Tom Hopper as Percival
 * Adetomiwa Edun as Elyan
 * Eoin Macken as Gwaine
 * Caroline Faber as Hunith
 * Asa Butterfield as Mordred
 * Nathaniel Parker as Agravaine
 * Warwick Davis as Grettir
 * Harry Melling as Gilli
 * Michelle Ryan as Nimueh
 * Alice Patten as Ygraine Pendragon
 * Phil Davis as The Gleeman
 * James Callis as TBA
 * Gemma Jones as The Cailleach (gatekeeper to the spirit world)
 * Lindsay Duncan as Queen Annis
 * Zee Asha as Audrey
 * Simon Williams as Godwyn
 * Steven Hartley as Caerleon
 * Emma Tainton as Servant
 * Andrew Fowler as Knight of Camelot
 * Sarah Beck Mather as Vilia
 * Zig Byfield as Goron