BBC in talks over fifth season of Merlin

The BBC are already in talks over a fifth season of its fantasy drama series Merlin.

 

The BBC are already in talks over a fifth season of its fantasy drama series Merlin. The BBC recently ordered a fourth series of the Saturday evening drama which will run to 10 episodes long – instead of the usual 13. The reason for the reduction in episodes is because of budget issues revealed producer Julian Murphy in an interview with SFX. In the same interview the producer revealed that the BBC were already in talks about a fifth season – partially because of the reduction in episodes for its fourth season.

 

“We are now discussing the fifth series with the BBC, and I think it potentially preserves the programme for longer yes. There is talks of specials, there is talk about ways we can fill in the gap, but these are tough times for British broadcasters.” – Julian Murphy in SFX

The possibility of specials to fill the gap left by the three fewer episodes next year is interesting. Merlin’s fellow Saturday evening drama series Doctor Who has had a Christmas Special every year since it was revived in 2005 and in 2009 in place of a full regular series there were several specials aired instead; Easter, Halloween, Christmas and New Year. So could we about to see an Easter or Christmas Special of Merlin?