'Merlin' star Colin Morgan talks dragons and guest stars
While he’s deep in filming on Merlin in either Wales or France, series star Colin Morgan finds it weird in general that people in other countries are watching the show that has become a hit in Great Britain, especially as he’s filming the third season. “People are asking you about series one even – in some countries, it’s only starting to air. You just have to cast your mind back a bit,” Morgan says with a laugh. “Bizarrely, a lot of it seems to stick in my head, which is a bit worrying. I’ll have to empty that recycling bin at some point!” That said, Morgan is loving the fact that his magical series has gone global. For us, the end of the second season is nigh, with the penultimate episode airing Friday night on Syfy and the season finale next week. And they’re going to be big ones for Morgan’s Merlin, with a twist involving Morgana (Katie McGrath), the coming of the deadly Knights of Medhir, and Merlin’s alliance with a dragon voiced by John Hurt. Read below for Morgan’s thoughts on the last two episodes of this season, plus check out a clip below from this Friday’s hour, “The Fires of Idirsholas,” featuring him and Bradley James (who plays Arthur) vs. those pesky Knights. (And click here for an exclusive “Secrets & Magic” special with a behind-the-scenes look at last week’s episode.)
Photos courtesy of Fremantle Media
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How important are these next two episodes in leading into the third season that you’re now filming?
Hugely important. The final two episodes directly affect what happens in the third series. There’s a huge change in the Morgana character – we learn about a betrayal that she sets in motion, and Merlin becomes aware of. He’s faced with an extremely difficult decision — as he often is — but this one in particular involves morals and friendship, those kind of things which personally affect him emotionally. There are some big thing happenings. In [Friday’s episode], he does something that drastically changes the future of everyone, and that then also directly affects what happens in the final episode. Again, Merlin’s faced with another problem, whether he should set the dragon free or not, and what implications that will have. The final two episodes will change everything.
Do you enjoy the dragon stuff? I’m sure there are lots of computer graphics involved.
Yeah. Unfortunately, all the dragon actors are unavailable at the moment, so they have to green-screen one in. [Laughs] All the dragon scenes I’ve got are physically looking at a dot or often some kind of cross. Sometimes I make up my own eye line on a big green screen, and that’s really all I’m talking to, with the voice of John Hurt being played. So I actually get his dialogue, which is recorded in a studio in London. So at least I’ve got that – you can’t ask for a better voice to be playing against, really.
How much does something like that, where you have to act against a green screen or a wall, really test you as an actor?
It really does test you because it involves your imagination and creating things in your mind that aren’t there. What could it possibly be like to speak to a 30-foot dragon? The answer I’ve kind of come up with is, if you’re acting against something as big and fantastical as that, you can’t really be too big yourself. You can really just go for it, and not be embarrassed or think you’re looking silly doing it. You have to absolutely 100% believe in it. That’s how I approach those scenes where I’m either being chased by something or attacked by something or talking to something that isn’t there.
Are you a fan of entertainment involving dragons and other fantasy stuff?
I do love the fact that Merlin is genre – it’s something I’ve always been into. I’ve always loved Terry Pratchett books, and I’ve always had a bit of a fascination with escapism – watching worlds that don’t exist and wondering what it’s like to live in them. The genre seems to be in, with shows like Heroes and other things that are a departure from reality. I do enjoy watching shows like that. But similarly, one of my favorite series is Six Feet Under, so you can’t get really further apart. [Laughs]
Any special guest stars in the third series that you won’t get into trouble for talking about?
I’ll probably get whipped for it later, but I’ll be fine. [Laughs] Fans of the Harry Potter films will see a few familiar faces. One of the great people who we just had recently was Miriam Margolyes, who features as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, and she is just an absolute blast. That’s an episode in the third series, the sixth, to look forward to. And one I’m really excited about, and he hasn’t been in yet, is Warwick Davis. I’m a huge fan of Willow from growing up, and he’s featured in Harry Potter. I do know that Lancelot [played by Santiago Cabrera] is coming back as well. We’ve been so lucky we’ve had people who want to be a part of the show, and we’re always excited about that.
merlin is the best film series i have watched,and it is the best,can’t wait to see season 4
i think nobody can do it better than morgan he is a prodigy
i think there is no one that can do it better than morgan he is a prodigy
Well,I luv Bradley James and Colin Morgan,they are really wonderful and I will also love 2 be a part of Merlin it might not be season 3 it may even be season 4 or 5 any season all I know is that I will luv 2 practise magic wif,cos I also love 2 bring out possibilities out of im-possibilities,it will be a great honour 2 me if I can get his personal contact,pls am very serious about this.
I love colin morgan. Its funny how our birthdays in the same month only his is on the 1st of january and mine on the fourteenth. And we both have blue eyes.
all i would just say is Merlin is just excellent
wonderful! wonderful! Just wonderful.I am frm Nigeria and I can say dis is d best series ever.Colin Morgan and Bradley James, u guys are magnificant.Nice work.I can’t wait for series 4.
i love merlin so much!!!!!! can wait for season 4…
i really love colin morgan!!!!!!!!!!!! his act is really awesome..hope to watch him again…
I LOVE the show Merlin and can’t wait for season 4 to come out!!! However, I still am unsure when it is going to be aired! Great acting, storyline, & special effects!!
when is merlin season 4 will be realeased?
My sister and I are obsessed with Merlin! We just found out about the series in December …thank you Entertainment Weekly! it’s about time… and we’ve watched the entire first and second seasons in one week. Almost finished with season 3 and eagerly awaiting the 4th! The cast is amazing and the show is fantastic! Love from Florida
i cant wait 4 season 4 at all i just luv MERLIN in conjunction with ARTHUR
When does season four officially air on the internet?? I LOVE this show and can’t wait to see what happens!
colin you are a great actor,i love ur ways
wow wat a wonderful season 3 cant wait 2 see da season 4 dis Saturday…….
I am obsessed with this show!! i love the pre-quel-ee awesomeness and the acting is phenomenal. Love from Texas!
Really can’t live with Gwen…How could she become the Queen?!
Love Arthur and Merlin~
I am OBSESSED with Merlin, and I am reading on different sites that although season 4 will begin filming in 2011, it won’t air until 2012. UGHH!!! I can’t wait that long!! I am in the states, and thankfully I can find it on the internet, but still….2012?? NO!!!!!
wow.. esperando el eposidio 12 de la tmp 3
saludos.. se ve muy buena.. el final.. inesperado.. pero viendo haber si puedo pronosticar algo ejejejje…
colin.. morgan tiene mi misma edad… :S
amo a merlin
saludos (de chile).. obviamente viendo merlin en internet
Great show! can’t wait to watch more seasons! Outstanding performances and the CGI’s are exceptional. This show is gonna continue to be a phenomenon.
Unfortunately, season 3 has not started airing in the US as of yet, that’s why I have the internet. This really is just a fun show and delight to watch. Admittedly, I get a little obsessive. I’m very excited for the final three episodes of season three, I’m sure they are AMAZING!!
I love this movie & also Collin Morgan with Bradley James……
I this movie and also Collin Morgan with Bradley James…….
the adventures of Merlin is a great movie…….i love Collin Morgan & Bradley James…….
My name is oye Emmanuel and i am from Ghana and has completed watching season 1 and 2
and this film was amazingly fantastic big ups to Colin Morgan(Merlin)
@nadira
By the today is my Birthday and i treated my self by watching Merlin season 3 from ep.1 to 9…lol.
Happy Birthday to me…lol
I love the show . I sat and watch the entire season 1 and season 2 in two days.
I am now on season 3,waiting patiently on epsode10.
Colin is a great actor and i love how he expresses him self when he is a jam…lol
This is coming all the way from Florida ,U.S.A
Thank you all for you hard work.Merlin is the Best. Can’t wait for the Next New Season to Begin. Michael Patrick Johansen. Brooklyn N.Y.
I Love Merlin Can’t get enough. Can’t wait for the new season. Cast and Crew is Great and so is the Stoy Lines, Camera Work is Excellant and so is the Color. Thank You All FOR ALL THE HARD WORK YOU DO TO MAKE FANS LIKE MYSELF SO VERY GREATFUL FOR ALL THE GREAT ENTERTAINMENT YOU BRING INTO OUR HOMES EVERY WEEK. Michael Patrick Johansen Brooklyn New York. Good Old U.S.A.
Love The show Merlin, Can’t wait til the new season starts, and when will that be? The cast is Great The storyline is super and the Acting is Excellent. The only thing that could Possibly make Merlin Better, Would be a Big Screen Movie, But Only with the Same Actors. Thank you All, Cast and Crew for Bringing Stories Like Merlin Back to the T.V. Screen, for all to Enjoy. Michael Patrick Johansen Brooklyn New York. Good Old U.S.A.
I’m from China,I’ve completed watching the S1 and S2 less than a week,it’s amazing!!
now I become the fan of Merlin,in the show,collin and bradley are so cute,and they have acted good,I’m watching the S3,and looking forward to S4.
I’m watching it here in the United States and loving every episode.
WARWICK DAVIS FTW.
That man has been in everything!
And Professor Sprout! LOL xD
Can they get one of the Narnia stars to be a guest on the show? That would be epic
wow,i very very like Colin Morgan,hahaha
I come from China, I like it very much. Series, merlin.
I’m still waiting for Merlin season 4, this movie is full of surprises “Oooo dragon, nandede kie emp sipise” Emala,
I love Merlin!!! I am from the states and I know a lot of people who watch this show!!!!! I really like all the characters, especially Collin’s portrayal of a young Merlin. This is a definite twist on all the Merlin Films when he was older.
Can’t wait for next season!!!
OMG, I can’t wait. Two of my greatest loves Merlin and Harry Potter, Can’t wait to watch it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The problem with the SciFi channel is that they’ve cut scenes. In the final episode of Season 2, they cut two crucial scenes towards the end, most noticeably the “no man is worth your tears” scene between Arthur and Merlin. I was disappointed, as that was one of the most moving scenes in the entire episode.
the adventures of merlin is graet movie….
@nimra
I agree completely! Maybe SciFi is finally getting the hang of it? Welllll….only time will tell. Still, I, too, am waiting for the premiere of Season 3 (as well as the release of the Season 2 DVD for us poor peasants in the US of A!).
I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!
just discovered it a few weeks ago and im already done with the two seasons and waiting excitedly for the third!! i cannot wait for the show to come back and i hope they continue on with it! I wish it would be more popular here in the state but thats ok because im representing!!!
I love merlin!!! Im from the US and alot of people here dont know about it! Cant wwait for season 3! Ihope it goes on for many years!
LINDOOOOOOOOOOOOO RSRS QUANDO SAI O MELIN 3 PLISSSSSSSSSSSSSS
I am very glad to know the news that Merlin3 will be played.
Thanks for this! I love the show and I hope to see it continue for a while!
I just watched the season 2 finale, and I have to say, Colin is really an amazing actor. I’m so glad there will be a season 3, and look forward to seeing Colin cast in many wonderful roles in the future.
Great interview!
I’m looking forward to seeing Warwick Davis in season 3!!!!!