Arthur (Bradley James) and Merlin (Colin Morgan) (BBC/Syfy)
Merlin, a British export that does for Arthurian legend what Smallville did for Superman, returns for a third season on Syfy this Friday, Jan. 7, with the first part of a two-part season premiere, “The Tears of Uther Pendragon.”
The third season, which just ended in the show’s native UK, will delve deeper into the epic destinies of characters like Merlin, (Colin Morgan), Prince Arthur (Bradley James), Morgana (Katie McGrath), Guinevere (Angel Coulby), King Uther (Anthony Head) and court physician Gaius (Richard Wilson).
Morgana returns to Camelot and continues to grow in power — and in her hatred for the king who took her in and despises all sorcery. And Merlin, who knows her secret, dare not expose her or risk his own hide in the kingdom where magic is forbidden on penalty of death.
Eoin Macken as Gwaine and Warwick Davis as Gretttir (BBC/Syfy)
John Hurt (Alien, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) reprises his role as the voice of the Great Dragon, but is no longer a regular cast member. A new character named Gwaine is played by Eoin Macken, and Adetomiwa Edun is introduced as Gwen’s “troublesome brother, and future Knight of Camelot,” Elyan. Warwick Davis (Star Wars, Willow) will appear as the mysterious dwarf Grettir in a story involving Gwaine and the scepter of the Fisher King.
If you’re catching Merlin on DVD, the second season will be available in the U.S. on Jan. 18. Don’t expect to see Season 3 on DVD until it has completed its run on Syfy, however.
The BBC have confirmed that there will be a fourth season.
Here are some more images from Season 3:
