Second-Season Order for Merlin

LONDON, December 15: A second season is in the works for Merlin, a fantasy drama series for BBC
One that FremantleMedia Enterprises has closed a number of new deals on.

Merlin has sold to
international broadcasters spanning 112 territories worldwide, including
recently closed deals with Germany's RTL, France's Canal+, MNET in South Africa
and Japan's MICO. Merlin first
premiered on BBC One, and NBC also signed on for the series. Other presales were inked with CTV in Canada,
TEN in Australia, Mediaset in Italy, SVT in Sweden and NED in the Netherlands. FME's home entertainment division has closed
agreements for Merlin spanning more
than 65 territories, including the U.S., Singapore and an EMEA-wide deal with
Universal (excluding Russia and Greece).

David
Ellender, FME's CEO, said, "Merlin has been an outstanding international success which FME is proud to represent
to the wider world. We are heartened, although not surprised, that a second
series has been commissioned so that this brand can continue to deliver its
magic to the audiences whom are about to fall in love with it all over the
globe."

Merlin is set in the mythical city of Camelot, in a time before history
began. It follows the unlikely friendship of Merlin (Colin Morgan) as a wizard on the cusp of adulthood and his
ongoing clashes with a young King Arthur (Bradley James). The fantasy drama was created and produced by Shine Television. The
producers for Shine are Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps. The BBC's executive
producers are Julie Gardner and Bethan Jones.

Capps
and Murphy commented, "We are absolutely delighted to be returning for a
second series. All the principal characters are destined to experience more
magical adventures next year. The story of Merlin is a much-loved tale and it's so exciting that our
updated version has captured the hearts of audiences and brought the magic and
myth of Camelot alive."

"We
are thrilled that audiences have entered into the magical world of Camelot and Merlin has been such a big hit on
Saturday nights," added Julie Gardner, the head of drama for BBC Wales.
"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."

—By Kristin Brzoznowski