Series 5

BBC Series 5 is the fifth series of the highly popular drama/cult series, Merlin. It was 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 show will air on BBC One for the UK viewers, Network Ten for the Australian viewers, and on SyFy for US viewers.

The fifth series premiere aired on the 6th of October, 2012, with an opening two-parter, called Arthur's Bane. It is being shown in the UK at the same time as Doctor Who's seventh series. It aired on the 14th of October on Network Ten and it's expected to air in January 2013 for US viewers on SyFy.

Official Trailers












Confirmed Information
Excludes information from episodes that have broadcasted.


 * 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.
 * 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.
 * "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".
 * The cast were seen filming in the Clearwell Caves, which is the place where Agravaine died.
 * Old Merlin, or Dragoon the Great, will return.
 * Series 5 won't have as many guest roles, due to last season, the guest roles cut off a lot the screentime for the main cast.
 * Two of these legends will be referenced in Series 5.
 * Series 5 involves a lot of "out of the castle" scenes. And apparently, it doesn't mean less of Gaius and Gwen.
 * Block 2 (Episodes 4, 5, 6) will contain filming in the Clearwell Caves.
 * James Robinson will play "Sir Ranulf".
 * For the first time all of the show's computer generated effects will be created entirely in-house.
 * Katie McGrath (Morgana) referred to Aithusa as a female.
 * Merlin struggles with the temptation of dark magic, particularly in relation to his telepathy with Mordred.
 * The Dochraid will return, as she was seen and heard in the trailer. The Dochraid casts a spell.
 * The Valley of the Fallen Kings will re-appear.
 * "Merlin is becoming more ruthless, because he is becoming more solid in his beliefs", Merlin will see things in a whole new way.
 * Johnny Capps confirmed that Merlin will have a few interesting things romantically, but not much as the focus is on protecting Arthur.
 * The writing team remains the same as last year, but Series 5 will see more multi-stranded stories, which means they won't be told from just the point of view of Merlin. The producers think this will make the story feel more grown up and fresh.
 * There won't be any more comedy episodes like Goblin's Gold, but the producers say the element of comedy and the "Jeeves and Wooster" relationship between the main characters will still be an important part.
 * The new character, "Eira", will make an appearance in the finale.
 * Merlin and Gwen's relationship will be tested at some point.
 * The Lake of Avalon will reappear.
 * The gallows will reappear.
 * The whole point of Mordred in the series is "What's he going to do? Why is he here?" People will not know why he is there and what his motives are. People think he's coming in to do the double act with Morgana, but it's more complicated than that. He is ambiguous.
 * The stakes will be higher, in terms of enemies- it's a 'war, not a battle, so it's a lot more serious'.
 * The person behind Morgana's captivity is a 'bandit king'.
 * Mordred is a complex character this series, he is ambiguous. He has the chance to dish out information to Morgana about the peers in Camelot or he can keep it safe. It all relies on how he communicates with everyone.
 * Morgana is a constant threat towards Gwen. Gwen will meet Morgana again and they will fight.
 * There is someone who will protect Gwen when Arthur is gone to battle we will meet the person this season.
 * The Battle of Camlann (battle from Morgana's dream in The Darkest Hour) is said to take place this series.
 * There will be no conflict between the Knights this series.
 * Eoin Macken stated his character Sir Gwaine would not react to a serious extent if he discovered Merlin had magic. Which indicates that Gwaine may discover Merlin's magic.
 * Mordred will not use his magic in the castle of Camelot.
 * Alator, played by Gary Lewis, will return.
 * Bradley James (Arthur) has confirmed in an interview that Arthur is well ready to find out that Merlin is a sorcerer. He also stated the dynamic of the series is evolved around this and the creators are probably holding onto the reveal until the end as a tease. "I hope they don't hold on to it too much longer." said Bradley James.

Main Cast

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

Recurring Cast

 * Mordred – Alexander Vlahos
 * Kilgharrah – John Hurt
 * Aithusa – Unknown Voice
 * Queen Annis – Lindsay Duncan
 * Princess Mithian – Janet Montgomery
 * Uther Pendragon – Anthony Head
 * Dochraid – Maureen Carr
 * Alator - Gary Lewis
 * King Odin - Fintan McKeown

Guest Cast

 * Ragnor – Stephen McCole
 * Saxon – Matthew Prowse
 * Sir Ranulf – James Robinson
 * Unknown Character – Ross Machin
 * ​Ruadan – Liam Cunningham
 * King Rodor – James Fox
 * Daegal – Alfie Stewart
 * Tyr Seward – John Bradley
 * Lochru – Julian Glover
 * Eira – Erin Richards
 * Sindri – Tony Guilfoyle
 * Ari – Peter Guinness
 * Queen Mab - Kelly Wenham
 * Valdis - Jane Thorne
 * Sefa - Sophie Rundle
 * The Euchdag - Josette Simon
 * Beroun - Barry Aird
 * Disir - Frances Tomelty
 * Unknown Character - Sara Lois
 * Alrick - Gordon Munro

Cast Notes

 * For a page of villains that may return, just click here.
 * Uther will cast as a shadow, he will still be an influence.