He discovers that the king, Uther Pendragon ( Anthony Head), outlawed magic twenty years earlier in an event known as the Great Purge and imprisoned the last dragon, Kilgharrah (voice of John Hurt), in the caves beneath the castle. Merlin ( Colin Morgan) is a young, powerful warlock who arrives in the kingdom of Camelot after his mother arranges for him to stay with the court physician, Gaius ( Richard Wilson). Broadcasting rights were sold to over 180 countries. Merlin was nominated for several awards, winning the 2011 British Academy Television Award for best visual effects. Over the years and after several adventures together, Merlin and Arthur become trusted friends and companions, with the former doing his best to influence the latter into becoming the king he is destined to be. Merlin soon learns that the reason for his gift is to protect Arthur, but Merlin must hide his powers because magic was banned in Camelot by Arthur's father, King Uther Pendragon, and those caught practising it are executed. After saving Prince Arthur's life in the first episode, he becomes Arthur's manservant. The programme is a reimagining of the legend, in which young warlock Merlin is sent to the kingdom of Camelot by his mother because of his 'special gift'. The programme starred Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby, Richard Wilson, Anthony Head, and John Hurt.

Created by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy for the BBC, it was broadcast for five series on BBC One between 20 September 2008 and 24 December 2012. Merlin (also known as The Adventures of Merlin) is a British fantasy- adventure drama television programme, loosely based on the Arthurian legends regarding the close relations of Merlin and King Arthur.

Merlin season 4 episode 13 full cast