BBC's 'Merlin' to End After Five Seasons

LONDON – The co-creators behind hit BBC One show Merlin, starring Colin Morgan, Bradley James and Katie McGrath, are mulling spin-offs as the show draws to an end.

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The fantasy-adventure show based on Arthurian legend is to call it quits on BBC One this Christmas with the climax to the fight for Camelot.

Co-creators and exec producers Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy said the series is bowing out at its natural climax.

The duo will exit Elisabeth Murdoch's Shine TV, the show's production banner, following the final episode to set up their own TV label.

Shine and FremantleMedia Enterprises, which handles the show internationally, are in the early stages of developing potential Merlin spinoffs based around the world created in the current show.

Any future shows would be produced by Shine’s Kudos label in partnership with FME, the duo said.

The show is a mainstay of the British broadcaster's premier channel's Saturday early evening lineup and rolls out in the U.S. on the Syfy channel.

Also starring Angel Coulby, Richard Wilson and the voice of John Hurt, the show airs in Germany via Super RTL, France's Canal Plus and Australia's Network Ten.

Capps and Murphy said: "We always felt the story of the legend was best told across five series, leading to a spectacular finale that draws on the best known elements of this much-loved story and brings to a conclusion the battle for Camelot."

BBC One controller Danny Cohen said: "I admire the creators’ decision to end Merlin on a high, but also know that we will miss it in the BBC One schedule."

Cohen said the broadcaster had ambitious plans" in play for new drama in the Saturday evening slot in 2013.

FME CEO David Ellender said possible spin-off opportunities inspired "by the brilliant reimagining of Camelot" meant exciting times.