Merlin on Tv

Merlin adds his magic to Saturday night TV

Dec 8 2006 Western Mail

THE Arthurian wizard Merlin will make his debut in a new BBC1 prime time drama announced yesterday.

The Saturday night drama will focus on the mighty wizard, traditionally seen as a Welsh or Celtic legend, as a young man.

It will follow in the tradition of BBC shows, like BBC Wales' Doctor Who and Robin Hood which have sparked a resurgence in family viewing.

But the new drama will concentrate on magic.

The adaptation is in its 'very, very, very early stages of development' and will not hit the small screen for at least another 12 months. But it is scheduled to go out at the prime time BBC1 7pm slot.

BBC1 controller Peter Fincham said he hoped Merlin would encourage even more family viewing.

He said, 'Three generational television - television you can watch with your parent and with your children - there's not enough of that about.

'I think it is very important on BBC1 that we include more and more of that world of family viewing.

'We've only just scratched the surface of modern family viewing. So our appetite is not exhausted by Robin Hood and Doctor Who.'

The new drama should air in the part of the year when Robin Hood is not occupying the Saturday night slot.

Merlin is said to have engineered the birth of King Arthur through magic and served as his adviser.

But the BBC said the story would focus less on the Legend of the Round Table and more on magic.