Wizard show conjures up TV return

Merlin has been a success with Saturday night viewers

BBC Wales' Saturday night fantasy drama Merlin is to return for a second series.

The BBC One show, charting the young wizard's friendship with young King Arthur, has averaged 6.2 million viewers over its first eight episodes.

BBC Wales head of drama, Julie Gardner, said the series had performed "outstandingly well."

Stars Richard Wilson, Anthony Head and John Hurt are expected to report for filming next year in Wales and France.

The 13-part drama featuring newcomer Colin Morgan as Merlin and Bradley James as King Arthur is is set in Camelot in a time before Arthur becomes king, as Merlin comes to terms with his magical powers.

We are thrilled that audiences have entered into the magical world of Camelot BBC Wales head of drama Julie Gardner

The show's CGI effects are created by The Mill, the Oscar-winning special effects team behind Gladiator and Doctor Who.

The first eight episodes, which began airing in September, averaged a 28% share of the audience, with an average 1.8 million viewers tuning in each week for the Sunday repeat.

'Fresh and modern'

Ms Gardner said: "We are thrilled that audiences have entered into the magical world of Camelot and Merlin has been such a big hit on Saturday nights.

"It has performed outstandingly well. The cast have entertained and enchanted a whole new generation with this fresh and modern retelling of a classic British legend."

The series was re-commissioned by Ben Stephenson, the controller of BBC Drama Commissioning, and BBC One controller Jay Hunt.

Producers Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy of Shine Television promised "more magical adventures" for the characters next year.