Merlin
FriendshipA friend group's dynamics carry the show.This show: 8/10Coming of ageGrowing up as the central arc.This show: 8/10Family-safeNothing to worry about with anyone in the room.This show: 8/10High fantasyInvented worlds with magic and rules of their own.This show: 7/10WholesomeKindness and decency at the core, with barely a trace of cynicism.This show: 7/10Kids & familyGenuinely watchable for and with children.This show: 7/10British TVThe British television sensibility: tone, restraint and format traditions.This show: 7/10
Rate this series
Starring
John HurtColin MorganBradley JamesRichard WilsonAngel CoulbyKatie McGrath
Written by
Johnny CappsJulian JonesJake MichieJulian Murphy
Starring
John HurtColin MorganBradley JamesRichard WilsonAngel CoulbyKatie McGrath
Written by
Johnny CappsJulian JonesJake MichieJulian Murphy
Ratings per Episode
Votes per Episode
Merlin Episode Ratings Heatmap
| Avg | E1 | E2 | E3 | E4 | E5 | E6 | E7 | E8 | E9 | E10 | E11 | E12 | E13 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | 7.9 | 7.7 | 7.5 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 8.2 | 8.1 | 8.2 | 8.0 | 8.4 | |
| S2 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.6 | 9.0 | |
| S3 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 8.3 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.1 | 7.4 | 7.7 | 8.6 | 7.3 | 8.3 | 7.7 | 8.7 | 9.2 | |
| S4 | 8.3 | 8.6 | 8.8 | 8.4 | 8.1 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 8.2 | 7.2 | 7.9 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.6 | 8.9 | |
| S5 | 8.2 | 8.5 | 8.4 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 8.3 | 8.0 | 8.4 | 8.9 | 8.2 |
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About
"A cheeky prequel that earns its heartbreak"
Long before he's a legendary wizard, young Merlin arrives in Camelot to secretly protect a headstrong, not-yet-great Prince Arthur, hiding his magic in a kingdom where sorcery is outlawed. It plays as breezy, family-friendly fantasy adventure: monster-of-the-week plots, banter-heavy friendship, and a slow burn toward the legend you already know. Early seasons lean silly and budget-limited, but the central bond deepens into something genuinely affecting, and the show sneaks up on you emotionally by its later years, culminating in one of British TV's most talked-about tearjerker endings.
Watch it for
the slow-built friendship between Merlin and Arthur that pays off hard by the finale.
Maybe skip if
you need gritty medieval realism or big-budget effects rather than warm, campy adventure.
Written by our AI editor to help you decide, spoiler-free by design.
All Seasons
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Season 12008
7.917K139h 45m
The mythical city of Camelot, in a time before history began, is a fantastical realm of legendary beasts and mysterious peoples. In this dangerous world, magic has been banned by the ruthless tyrant; Uther Pendragon. Merlin, a young man gifted with extraordinary magical powers, arrives at the gates of Camelot, sent by his mother to start a new life. Though bright-eyed with wonder, the young sorcerer quickly makes enemies, including the heir to Uther's crown, the headstrong Prince Arthur.
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Season 22009
8.114K139h 45m
The second series of Merlin finds Camelot more vulnerable than ever to the dark forces of magic, forcing Merlin to make difficult decisions in order to protect Arthur, ensure the future king's survival and prevent the mythic kingdom from being destroyed.
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Season 32010
8.213K139h 38m
Swords, sorcery and swashbuckling adventure return in the third series of Merlin, following our heroes as they face their greatest challenge yet. When misbegotten secrets are exposed and old friends choose new sides, they soon discover that the great battle for Camelot is only just beginning...
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Season 42011
8.312K139h 18m
Merlin is bac for a fourth series, with Camelot standing on the brink of a golden age. But its birth will not be an easy one, for the forces of evil are gathering and the darkest hour is just before the dawn...
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Season 52012
8.212K139h 23m
The epic fifth and final series of Merlin sees Camelot at the height of its golden age. With Queen Guinevere and the Knights of the Round Table at his side, Arthur has never felt stronger.
But even as Camelot flowers, the seeds of her destruction are being sown... As the forces of darkness gather, only Merlin stands between Arthur and a fate that has been written since the dawn of time...
Full Cast & Crew
Cast
John Hurt The Dragon
Colin Morgan Merlin
Bradley James Arthur
Richard Wilson Gaius
Angel Coulby Gwen
Katie McGrath Morgana
Anthony Head Uther Pendragon
Rupert Young Sir Leon
Eoin Macken Sir Gwaine, Gwaine
Tom Hopper Sir Percival
Crew
Johnny Capps
Julian Jones
Jake Michie
Julian Murphy
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