Syfy Picks Up 'Merlin' for Season 4

"Camelot" has been slayed at Starz, but the Arthurian legend isn't dead to American TV audiences.

10:44 AM PDT 7/15/2011 by Jethro Nededog

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BBC

"Merlin"

Fans of the Arthurian legend should feel better about this news after Starz canceled its series, Camelot. Merlin, a more lighthearted, family-oriented version of the tale, will be back on our sets in 2012.

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A Syfy spokesperson confirms to The Hollywood Reporter that the network has picked up the series for a fourth season, as first reported by TV Guide Magazine.

The series follows the iconic legend through the point of view of the magician Merlin (Colin Morgan) in his younger years. Bradley James also returns as young Arthur along with costars Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath, Anthony Head and Richard Wilson. John Hurt also reprises his role as the voice of the Great Dragon.

Originally aired on BBC, Merlin has been picking up steam with American audiences. Season 3 averaged 1.9 million viewers an episode for Syfy, an increase of 12 percent over the previous season. Season 4 begins airing in the UK in the fall.

FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) distributes and licenses The Adventures of Merlin, as its known outside the U.S. FME has invested in the Merlin series alongside BBC One. The show is produced and created by Shine TV whose producers were inspired to create the series after seeing what Smallville did with Superman.

Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com; Twitter: @TheRealJethro

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