- “Arthur has so many flaws that he has to go through a series of lessons to become the man that we know he's going to become. It's still a learning game for Arthur at the moment, before he becomes the man of legend. I love the fact that audiences are about to go on that journey with me. ”
- — Describing his character Arthur
Bradley James is an English actor who portrays the character of Prince/King Arthur Pendragon in the BBC drama series, Merlin (confirmed per radio interview with Jonathan Ross[1]). This role was a breakthrough for him as an actor.
On Merlin
Bradley James appears on every episode on BBC Merlin, playing the Prince and later, King of Camelot, Arthur Pendragon. He also voices many of the DVD audio commentaries.
In an interview, he stated that he had enjoyed being involved with the stunts. However, he had "picked up more than his fair share of injuries".
In 2009, Bradley and co-star Colin Morgan went on an exploration of Arthurian legends for BBC Wales The Real Merlin & Arthur.
During Covid lockdown, he created a Merlin shrine in his room and hosted a Merlin quiz on YouTube. Bradley kept the shrine up for a while afterwards and is in the background of interviews for other TV Shows including Medichi.
In May 2020, he appeared on Merlin fan podcast Destiny and Chicken, free to listen to on their website.
In May 2021, Bradley signed several Merlin DVDs for a charity raffle for the Careworkers Charity. His Mum filmed him and the video is on his Facebook.
Beyond Merlin
Bradley made his first television appearance in an episode of Lewis in 2008. He also played the part of Ben Davies in the BBC Three drama Dis/Connected and the character Carl in Fast Girls.
He attended the Drama Centre London. His breakthrough came when he was chosen to play Prince Arthur in the BBC One fantasy TV series Merlin. He later went on to star in other films and TV Shows including Vikings.
Trivia
- When he was young Bradley James wanted to be either a professional football player or an actor.
- He has two sisters: older Natalie and younger Stephanie.
- He loves football, athletics, cricket and table tennis. He supports the football team Arsenal.
- Bradley is a sports fanatic, which makes him deeply enjoy working on Merlin where he takes part in sword fights, fencing tournaments and lots of horse riding.
- Bradley has dirty blond hair and blue eyes. He is 6 feet tall (roughly) or 183cm and right handed. According to him he looks like his mother.
- Bradley does not cook (just like his character Arthur).
- When Bradley was nine years old he lived in Jacksonville, Florida for four years.
- His favourite American football team is the Miami Dolphins.
- He is good friends with his co-star Colin Morgan.
- He is 3 years younger than Alice Patten who played Arthur's mother, Ygraine and Angel Coulby who plays his on-screen wife, Gwen.
- He went to the Drama Centre London with Santiago Cabrera (Lancelot).
- It was revealed by Angel Coulby that Bradley is rather gifted at art in the treat for Day 6 of the Merlin Advent Calendar 2012.
- He loves milk.
- He enjoys listening to The Beatles, David Bowie and Michael Jackson.
- His favourite movies are The Labyrinth, The Goonies, The James Bond Series, The Warriors and The Usual Suspects.
- His favourite TV shows include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Heroes, Wallander, Gavin & Stacey, Doctor Who, Life (the David Attenborough nature series), X Factor, Total Wipeout, Skins and Summer Heights High.
- His favourite actors are Will Ferrell and Alex Britton.
- His favourite actress is Julie Walters.
- He enjoys eating steak with vegetables.
- His favourite colour is Blue.
- His favourite Ninja Turtle is Raphael.
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