The Adventures of Merlin

Warning: Spoilers.

The Adventures of Merlin is a BBC One original series that ran from 2008 until 2012, it's loosely based on the Arthurian legends but it is told from Merlin's point of view and is currently on Netflix if you'd like to check it out after this. It received a 7.9/10 on IMDB and a 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The series is told by Merlin (Colin Morgan) as a young man during the time that he serves young Arthur Pendragon (Bradley James), who is destined to become the future king of Camelot and return magic to the lands, and tries his best to keep him out of trouble.

Unfortunately as Merlin is a sorcerer and magic is forbidden in Camelot by King Uther (Anthony Head) it's quite difficult for Merlin to protect Arthur and not reveal his true nature. He has the help of Gaius, the court physician, (Richard Wilson) and later other friends who know his secret. Of course Morgana (Katie McGrath) doesn't make it easy for him either, as the legends say, they are sworn enemies. Arthur gets up to many adventures and quests that result in life changing lessons while Merlin follows, serves and protects him. Merlin also befriends a dragon (Voiced by John Hurt) and sets him free from the bonds that Uther has placed on him, earning him a loyal ally till the end.

The series explains how Merlin came to be a great sorcerer, how Arthur became a great, just king of Camelot and how his knights helped him to build his kingdom. It also explains Morgana's role in the story as well as Guinevere's. This is not historically accurate, although I really enjoyed the new take on the old legends.

Of course Merlin isn't alone in his task of keeping Arthur safe, he also has the brave knights of the round table. I especially enjoyed Gwaine (Eoin Macken) who is very easy on the eyes and it took me horrifyingly long to notice that Percival is played by Tom Hopper who also played Luther Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy.

The acting in this series is superb and I would definitely recommend it just for that, even if the plot itself wasn't already amazing. There is tons of action, enough romance to sustain a romantic heart and many jokes between Arthur and Merlin which really lighten the mood and can really give you a good laugh.

This was great, from start to finish and I would definitely watch it again.

Thanks for reading xx