Merlin to Return for Second Season

LONDON: FremantleMedia Enterprises and the BBC have announced that the family drama Merlin, produced by Shine Television, will return for a second season this fall.

The show scored more than 6.2 million viewers in its initial run on BBC One. The Adventures of Merlin returns with guest stars Mackenzie Crook and Charles Dance, among others, in its 13-week second season this fall.

FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has invested in the series, alongside producers Shine Television and BBC One, and holds exclusive rights across distribution, home entertainment (excluding the U.K.) and licensing worldwide. The Adventures of Merlin has been sold to 52 broadcasters in 180-plus countries, including CCTV in China, CTV in Canada and NBC in the U.S., which premieres the show June 21. 

“We are extremely excited about the next season of The Adventures of Merlin, following on from the phenomenal global success we’ve had thus far," said David Ellender, the CEO of FME. "We look forward to bringing the next chapter of Merlin to audiences across the globe that have come to love the program, the characters and the brand.’

Johnny Capps, executive producer for Shine Television, added:  “We’re thrilled to be producing another series of Merlin. It’s going to be bigger, bolder and more action-packed than ever, with great new villains, white knuckle fight sequences and hilarious comic fun for the whole family to enjoy.”