Merlin (TV series)/Characters: Difference between revisions

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.
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* [[Heroic Bastard]]: His parents never married.
* [[Heroic Bastard]]: His parents never married.
* [[Heterosexual Life Partners]]: With Arthur. Though the [[Yaoi Fangirl|fangirls]] tend to disagree...
* [[Heterosexual Life Partners]]: With Arthur. Though the [[Yaoi Fangirl|fangirls]] tend to disagree...
⚫
* [[Instant Expert]]: At casting certain spells. Some can be slightly more difficult though.
* [[I Have Many Names]]: Emrys, among others, according to Mordred and the Great Dragon. Somewhat [[Inverted Trope|inverted]] as Merlin himself is unaware of most of them.
* [[I Have Many Names]]: Emrys, among others, according to Mordred and the Great Dragon. Somewhat [[Inverted Trope|inverted]] as Merlin himself is unaware of most of them.
** He has also given himself a name for his [[Secret Identity]] as an old man: "Dragoon"
** He has also given himself a name for his [[Secret Identity]] as an old man: "Dragoon"
* [["I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight]]: Merlin tries this on {{spoiler|Morgana}} in 3x02. {{spoiler|It doesn't work.}}
* [["I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight]]: Merlin tries this on {{spoiler|Morgana}} in 3x02. {{spoiler|It doesn't work.}}
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* [[Instant Expert]]: At casting certain spells. Some can be slightly more difficult though.
* [[Last of His Kind]]: Merlin's father is revealed to be the Last of the Dragon-Lords, Mages who posessed the ability to command and bend Dragons to their will. Upon his father's death, Merlin inherited the gift and the responsibility of being the Last Dragon-Lord.
* [[Last of His Kind]]: Merlin's father is revealed to be the Last of the Dragon-Lords, Mages who posessed the ability to command and bend Dragons to their will. Upon his father's death, Merlin inherited the gift and the responsibility of being the Last Dragon-Lord.
* [[Love Hurts]]: His relationship with Freya, [[The Gwen Stacy]].
* [[Love Hurts]]: His relationship with Freya, [[The Gwen Stacy]].
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The prince of Camelot, Arthur starts out as a [[Jerkass]] but ends up developing a [[Hidden Heart of Gold]] thanks to his gradual strong friendship with Merlin, Morgana's guidance, and his inevitable and budding romance with Gwen.
The prince of Camelot, Arthur starts out as a [[Jerkass]] but ends up developing a [[Hidden Heart of Gold]] thanks to his gradual strong friendship with Merlin, Morgana's guidance, and his inevitable and budding romance with Gwen.


⚫
* [[24-Hour Armor]]: It's not very consistent, but sometimes he can wear his armour at the oddest times, including to banquets and other casual celebrations.
* [[Anchored Ship]]: Arthur and Gwen. Since Season 2, although both know of their mutual feelings for each other, they've refused to upgrade their relationship because of, among other things, their different social classes.
* [[Anchored Ship]]: Arthur and Gwen. Since Season 2, although both know of their mutual feelings for each other, they've refused to upgrade their relationship because of, among other things, their different social classes.
* [[Anti-Hero]]: Type III
* [[Anti-Hero]]: Type III
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* [[The Chosen One]]
* [[The Chosen One]]
* [[Chronic Hero Syndrome]]
* [[Chronic Hero Syndrome]]
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* [[Mr. Fanservice]]
* [[Even the Guys Want Him]]
* [[Even the Guys Want Him]]
* [[Flaw Exploitation]]: It didn't take long for Morgana to pick up on Arthur's love for Guinevere and use it to her own advantage on at least two separate occasions.
* [[Flaw Exploitation]]: It didn't take long for Morgana to pick up on Arthur's love for Guinevere and use it to her own advantage on at least two separate occasions.
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'''Morgana:''' And killing things mends a broken heart?
'''Morgana:''' And killing things mends a broken heart?
'''Arthur:''' [[Rule of Funny|No, but it's good fun.]] }}
'''Arthur:''' [[Rule of Funny|No, but it's good fun.]] }}
⚫
* [[Master of Delusion]]: He ''still'' doesn't suspect Merlin of magic. Not even a little bit.
* [[Marry for Love]]: He's determined to do this, and even manages to make it sound like a politically sensible idea: "I'll be a much better king for the strength and support of a woman I love."
* [[Marry for Love]]: He's determined to do this, and even manages to make it sound like a politically sensible idea: "I'll be a much better king for the strength and support of a woman I love."
⚫
* [[Master of Delusion]]: He ''still'' doesn't suspect Merlin of magic. Not even a little bit.
* [[Master Swordsman]]
* [[Master Swordsman]]
* [[Missing Mom]]. She's long dead... and it's Uther's fault.
* [[Missing Mom]]. She's long dead... and it's Uther's fault.
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* [[Mr. Fanservice]]
* [[Muggle Best Friend]]: To Merlin.
* [[Muggle Best Friend]]: To Merlin.
* [[Murder the Hypotenuse]]: Arthur's first reaction when he sees {{spoiler|Lancelot kissing Guinevere}}.
* [[Murder the Hypotenuse]]: Arthur's first reaction when he sees {{spoiler|Lancelot kissing Guinevere}}.
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* [[Submissive Badass]]: To Guinevere. Though she's half his size, there's a definite theme of Gwen being the more dominant one whenever they get physical (tackling him in ''The Curse of Cornelius Sigan,'' pushing him into a tent pole to kiss him in ''Sweet Dreams'' and topping during their makeout session in ''Queen of Hearts'').
* [[Submissive Badass]]: To Guinevere. Though she's half his size, there's a definite theme of Gwen being the more dominant one whenever they get physical (tackling him in ''The Curse of Cornelius Sigan,'' pushing him into a tent pole to kiss him in ''Sweet Dreams'' and topping during their makeout session in ''Queen of Hearts'').
* [[Sugar and Ice Personality]]: He maintains a stoic demeanour when in front of his father, the court and his knights, but relaxes considerably when he's alone with Merlin, and is quite the big softie when it comes to Guinevere.
* [[Sugar and Ice Personality]]: He maintains a stoic demeanour when in front of his father, the court and his knights, but relaxes considerably when he's alone with Merlin, and is quite the big softie when it comes to Guinevere.
⚫
* [[24-Hour Armor]]: It's not very consistent, but sometimes he can wear his armour at the oddest times, including to banquets and other casual celebrations.
* [[Unlucky Childhood Friend]]: Morgana.
* [[Unlucky Childhood Friend]]: Morgana.
* [[Unresolved Sexual Tension]]: With Gwen.
* [[Unresolved Sexual Tension]]: With Gwen.
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In Season 3, {{spoiler|Morgana has been recovered and returned to Camelot, but she is firmly set on the [[Dark Side]], pretending to be the "loving ward" while she secretly plots with Morgause for the downfall of Uther and Camelot.}}
In Season 3, {{spoiler|Morgana has been recovered and returned to Camelot, but she is firmly set on the [[Dark Side]], pretending to be the "loving ward" while she secretly plots with Morgause for the downfall of Uther and Camelot.}}


* [[Action Girl]]/ [[Dark Action Girl]]: In season 1/2 and season 3 respectively. As well as the last episode of season 4.
* [[Action Girl]]/[[Dark Action Girl]]: In season 1/2 and season 3 respectively. As well as the last episode of season 4.
⚫
* [[All Girls Want Bad Boys]]: Seems particularly interested and intrigued by Alvarr in 2x11.
* [[Antagonistic Offspring]]: To Uther.
* [[Antagonistic Offspring]]: To Uther.
* [[Anti-Hero]]: Pre-[[Moral Event Horizon]].
* [[Anti-Hero]]: Pre-[[Moral Event Horizon]].
⚫
* [[All Girls Want Bad Boys]]: Seems particularly interested and intrigued by Alvarr in 2x11.
* [[Aw, Look -- They Really Do Love Each Other]]: With Arthur, although the specifics of this trope don't apply due to their mostly [[Like Brother and Sister|siblingly]] relationship.
* [[Aw, Look -- They Really Do Love Each Other]]: With Arthur, although the specifics of this trope don't apply due to their mostly [[Like Brother and Sister|siblingly]] relationship.
* [[Badass Princess]]
* [[Badass Princess]]
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* [[Bad Dreams]]
* [[Bad Dreams]]
* [[Big Bad]]: Season 4 onwards.
* [[Big Bad]]: Season 4 onwards.
** {{spoiler|May be in a teBigBadDuumvira with Mordred come Season 5, if the leaked info is any indication.}}
** {{spoiler|May be in a teBigBadDuumvira with Mordred come Season 5, if the leaked info is any indication.}}
⚫
* [[Bitch in Sheep's Clothing]]: In the first episode of Season 3 alone, Morgana's killed a knight, plotted with Morgause for the downfall of Uther and Camelot, while making numerous Psychotic Smirks to pretty much let us know she's way into [[The Dark Side]].
* [[Big No]]: In 3x13, after {{spoiler|Morgause is gravely injured}}; she literally brings the roof down.
* [[Big No]]: In 3x13, after {{spoiler|Morgause is gravely injured}}; she literally brings the roof down.
⚫
* [[Bitch in Sheep's Clothing]]: In the first episode of Season 3 alone, Morgana's killed a knight, plotted with Morgause for the downfall of Uther and Camelot, while making numerous Psychotic Smirks to pretty much let us know she's way into [[The Dark Side]].
* [[Bond Villain Stupidity]]: Where do we even start?
* [[Bond Villain Stupidity]]: Where do we even start?
* [[Bratty Teenage Daughter]]: Practically an [[Inversion]]. She could be quite bratty in the first series (understandably so, given her status) when she was merely Uther's ward, but by the time her true parentage is revealed, she had moved from "bratty" to "homocidal".
* [[Bratty Teenage Daughter]]: Practically an [[Inversion]]. She could be quite bratty in the first series (understandably so, given her status) when she was merely Uther's ward, but by the time her true parentage is revealed, she had moved from "bratty" to "homocidal".
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* [[Broken Bird]]: Morgana's resentment towards Uther's hatred for magic and those who use magic led to her [[Face Heel Turn]], so much that Merlin sympathizes with her in 3x02 and even tries to pull a [["I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight]].
* [[Broken Bird]]: Morgana's resentment towards Uther's hatred for magic and those who use magic led to her [[Face Heel Turn]], so much that Merlin sympathizes with her in 3x02 and even tries to pull a [["I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight]].
* [[Cain and Abel]]: Now that she's trying to kill Arthur. Even after learning that he's her brother. It's a far fall from when she actively ''defended'' him in 1x07.
* [[Cain and Abel]]: Now that she's trying to kill Arthur. Even after learning that he's her brother. It's a far fall from when she actively ''defended'' him in 1x07.
⚫
* [[Everything's Better with Princesses]]: [[Averted]]; she is always known as Lady Morgana and apparently has not been awarded the title of Princess, even though she has been Uther's ward since early childhood {{spoiler|and is secretly his daughter.}}
* [[The Caligula]]: Her short stints as Queen of Camelot didn't seem to involve anything except demanding that the people accept her as their ruler, killing them when they refused, and burning their crops just to drive the point home.
* [[The Caligula]]: Her short stints as Queen of Camelot didn't seem to involve anything except demanding that the people accept her as their ruler, killing them when they refused, and burning their crops just to drive the point home.
* [[Clasp Your Hands If You Deceive]]: A couple of times in series three.
* [[Clasp Your Hands If You Deceive]]: A couple of times in series three.
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* [[Driven by Envy]]: This seems to be the source of her newfound hatred toward Guinevere, considering that her former serving maid is destined to be Queen of Camelot - a position that Morgana believes is ''hers''.
* [[Driven by Envy]]: This seems to be the source of her newfound hatred toward Guinevere, considering that her former serving maid is destined to be Queen of Camelot - a position that Morgana believes is ''hers''.
* [[Et Tu, Brute?]]: She ''did not'' take Merlin's betrayal or Uther {{spoiler|not publicly recognizing her as his biological daughter}} well...
* [[Et Tu, Brute?]]: She ''did not'' take Merlin's betrayal or Uther {{spoiler|not publicly recognizing her as his biological daughter}} well...
⚫
* [[Everything's Better with Princesses]]: [[Averted]]; she is always known as Lady Morgana and apparently has not been awarded the title of Princess, even though she has been Uther's ward since early childhood {{spoiler|and is secretly his daughter.}}
* [[Evil Is Petty]]: Sure, her animosity toward Uther and Merlin is almost Shakespearean in nature, but her treatment of Gwen is just catty and mean.
* [[Evil Is Petty]]: Sure, her animosity toward Uther and Merlin is almost Shakespearean in nature, but her treatment of Gwen is just catty and mean.
* [[Excessive Evil Eyeshadow]]
* [[Excessive Evil Eyeshadow]]
* [[Eyes of Gold]]: Like Merlin, when she uses magic.
* [[Eyes of Gold]]: Like Merlin, when she uses magic.
* [[Fake Brit]]: [[Katie McGrath]] is from Dublin in real life. Unlike Colin Morgan she mostly [[Not Even Bothering with the Accent|keeps her Irish accent.]]
* [[False Friend]]: Towards Merlin, and later towards Arthur, Gwen, and (in a daughterly manner) Uther.
* [[False Friend]]: Towards Merlin, and later towards Arthur, Gwen, and (in a daughterly manner) Uther.
* [[Faux Action Girl]]: She is presented as a feisty girl with a sword, but she never accomplishes anything. Read [http://zahrawithaz.livejournal.com/1893.html this.]
* [[Faux Action Girl]]: She is presented as a feisty girl with a sword, but she never accomplishes anything. Read [http://zahrawithaz.livejournal.com/1893.html this.]

Revision as of 13:08, 18 June 2016


The characters of the BBC 1 series Merlin:

Note: Season 4 has aired, so there will be spoilers!

Note to editors: See the Spoiler Policy before blanking everything out.

Main Characters

Merlin (Colin Morgan)


The titular character, Merlin must protect Arthur -- who will one day become king of Camelot and unite the lands of Albion -- while keeping his magic a secret.

Katie McGrath: You do everything to not kill anyone else. The Dragon says kill [Morgana], and you're like "all right."
Colin Morgan: No, I kill loads of people. I kill at least one person an episode.


King Arthur Pendragon (Bradley James)

The prince of Camelot, Arthur starts out as a Jerkass but ends up developing a Hidden Heart of Gold thanks to his gradual strong friendship with Merlin, Morgana's guidance, and his inevitable and budding romance with Gwen.

  • 24-Hour Armor: It's not very consistent, but sometimes he can wear his armour at the oddest times, including to banquets and other casual celebrations.
  • Anchored Ship: Arthur and Gwen. Since Season 2, although both know of their mutual feelings for each other, they've refused to upgrade their relationship because of, among other things, their different social classes.
  • Anti-Hero: Type III
  • Aw, Look -- They Really Do Love Each Other: With Merlin and Morgana... sort of.
  • Badass in Distress: All the time. Most of the time he doesn't even realize it.
  • Badass Longcoat
  • Badass Normal
  • Berserk Button: He reacts badly to any perceived slight against his honor or integrity. Likewise, threatening his servant, foster sister, or especially his beloved is a surefire way of getting killed by a very angry prince.
  • Big Damn Heroes
  • Blue Eyes
  • Cannot Spit It Out: His feelings for Gwen.
  • Catch Phrase: "Shut up, Merlin." and "I am not fat."; note, the last one no longer applies, as Arthur is fat now, or at least, he is getting fatter.
  • Chick Magnet
    • Although this is kind of lampshaded in the Series 1 Episode 2 DVD commentary for the scene where Merlin mentions that Arthur "gets all the girls":

Bradley James: All the girls? Morgana? That one girl who's my adopted sister? Oh yeah, he gets all the girls, he does. Look, they're surrounding him! Argh! Someone get a stick to beat them off with!

Arthur: After Sophia left, I wanted to take my mind off things. So, I went for a hunt.
Morgana: And killing things mends a broken heart?
Arthur: No, but it's good fun.

Lady Morgana Pendragon (Katie McGrath)

"What if... magic isn't something you choose? What if it chooses you?"

Morgana is the beautiful ward of Uther who suffers from premonitions in her dreams, unaware that she is in fact, a seer. She is close to her maidservant Gwen. Her strong sense of justice often clashes with Uther's rules and judgement.

In Season 2, Morgana discovers that she is a seer, but fears what Uther may do if he finds out she has magic. She also briefly befriends the sorceress Morgause, unaware that Morgause is her half-sister. However, Morgana's growing resentment towards Uther and his treatment of those who use magic inevitably leads to her Face Heel Turn. When she is used as a catalyst for a spell under Camelot, Merlin is forced to poison her. Morgause rescues Morgana, and it is implied that she can save her life.

In Season 3, Morgana has been recovered and returned to Camelot, but she is firmly set on the Dark Side, pretending to be the "loving ward" while she secretly plots with Morgause for the downfall of Uther and Camelot.

Queen Guinevere [Gwen] Pendragon (Angel Coulby)

Merlin: "You have such a good heart, Gwen. Don't ever lose that."

Guinevere -- nicknamed Gwen -- was the maidservant of Morgana and a good friend of Merlin's. She is a hardworking and kindhearted, young woman who is often awkward and shy when it comes to romance. As of the Season 4 finale, she is Queen of Camelot.

Uther Pendragon (Anthony Head)

Uther Pendragon is the ruthless king of Camelot who has outlawed magic within the kingdom. Often his hatred for magic blinds him from his tyrant-like nature, but he nevertheless believes what he is doing for Camelot is right. While Uther does not often show it, he does strongly care about his son Arthur and his ward Morgana, as well as acknowledging loyalty from his subjects e.g. Gaius and Merlin (occasionally).

  • Adults Are Useless
  • Anti-Villain: Type 3 with a bit of Type 1 as well.
  • Badass Normal
  • Badass Longcoat
  • Blood on These Hands: He clearly suffers from a guilty conscious when faced with the apparitions of his deceased wife and the children he drowned.
  • Broken Pedestal: Arthur gradually comes to realize that his father is not the infallible father/king that he initially believed him to be.
  • Create Your Own Villain: Uther certainly played a large part in how Morgana turned out.
  • Despair Event Horizon: When he realizes the depths of his daughter's hatred for him.
  • Disproportionate Retribution
  • Mr. Fanservice
  • Final Speech: He manages a few last words to Arthur before slipping into a coma that he awakens from only very briefly.
  • Freudian Excuse: His extreme hatred of magic comes from the circumstances of Arthur's birth: Uther was desperate for an heir. His wife couldn't conceive, so he asked Nimueh to help him have a son. She didn't tell him, however, that giving life by magic requires the taking of a life to keep the balance. Arthur was born, but Uther's wife dies.
  • Hey, It's That Guy!: King Giles Pendragon.
  • Heroic BSOD: Is rendered catatonic after Morgana betrays him in the third series finale. One year later, he's still a shell of the man he once was, leaving Arthur ruling the land in his stead.
  • Hypocrite
  • Jerkass
  • Jerkass Has a Point: His extremist stance toward magic would be considerably less understandable if not for the fact that nearly every magic-user in the series who isn't named Merlin turns out to be evil -- and not in the "we're desperate and fighting for our lives" sense, but full-on murderous sadism and smirking villainy.
    • Unfortunate Fridge Logic implies that the crazy villains were the only ones to survive his great purge, thanks to their paranoia and justified fear of the king. The less dangerous magic users wouldn't have expected for a just king to slaughter them all.
    • Or that they were Driven to Villainy.
  • Jerk with a Heart of Gold: On every issue except magic, though there is rather more Jerk than Gold. Notably he is very sympathetic to Merlin's mother when Ealdor is being attacked and expresses a desire to see the Jerkass who's doing it wiped off the face of the earth.
  • Kick the Dog: Just about every episode.
  • Killed Off for Real
  • Knight Templar / Knight Templar Parent
  • Like A Daughter To Me: Morgana. Quite literally.
  • Love Makes You Evil: He hates magic so much, because it caused a death of his beloved wife.
  • Papa Wolf: Is very protective of Arthur and Morgana when it comes to life-threatening situations (usually Arthur) or kidnapping attempts (usually Morgana).
    • We all knew that once Aredian pulled a knife on Morgana in 2x07 (in front of Merlin, Arthur, and Uther, no less) that he wasn't going to leave Camelot alive.
  • Parental Substitute: For Morgana. At least, it seems this way until it is revealed that she actually is his illegitimate daughter.
  • Pet the Dog: At the end of Excalibur. It's obvious that Uther loves his children, and speaks of his late wife as "my soul." He's also fond of Gaius, and can be made to see reason on several issues. When Guinevere is found innocent of witchcraft in "Queen of Hearts", he looks a little guilty for what he put her through.
    • He personally acknowledges what Merlin has done and thanks him when Merlin lies to protect him from an enraged Arthur who found out the truth about Uther and his birth. He also warns Merlin that he will hang him if he ever reveals to anyone what happened, which you could interpret as protecting his son.
  • Troubled Sympathetic Bigot: His hatred of magic stems from his grief and guilt over his wife's death (troubled), he dearly loves both his children (sympathetic) and yet he is utterly ruthless and hypocritical when it comes to eradicating those that practice magic (bigot).
  • Villain Protagonist
  • Villainous BSOD: Suffers a nasty one once Morgana brings to light how much she trully hates him in 3x13
  • Well-Intentioned Extremist: He is convinced that magic is evil and threatens Camelot.
  • What the Hell, Hero?: Uther gets this A LOT.
    • But only sometimes to his face.

Gaius (Richard Wilson)

The court physician, Gaius took Merlin under his care in his arrival to Camelot. He attempts to voice reason to Uther's judgement and ideals, but often gets rebuffed until his suspicions are proven correct.

Characters Introduced in Season 1

Nimueh (Michelle Ryan)

"I have watched so many people I love die at your hands, Uther Pendragon. Now it is your turn."

The sorceress who cast the spell that allowed Uther and Igraine to concieve Arthur. After Igraine died in childbirth as per the conditions of the magic, it served as a catalyst for Uther's hatred of magic and the massacre that followed. Throughout the first season, Nimueh works against Uther from a distance in order to undermine his rule.

Mordred (Asa Butterfield)

"My name is Mordred."

Mordred is a young Druid boy who Morgana grows instantly attached to. According to the Great Dragon, Mordred will one day kill Arthur. Merlin's desire to help Mordred becomes heavily strained because of this. Also, another prophecy states that Mordred and Morgana will be united in evil.

Lancelot (Santiago Cabrera)

"I would die for you one hundred times over. Live for me, or everything that I am has been for nothing."

A commoner who desires to become a knight of Camelot. He shares a brief romance with Gwen.

The Great Dragon: Kilgharrah (John Hurt)

Characters Introduced in Season 2

Sir Leon (Rupert Young)

A Knight of Camelot seen throughout season 2 and made a semi-regular in season 3.

Morgause (Emilia Fox)

"Arthur Pendragon, a great destiny awaits you. The battle for your soul is about to begin."

A mysterious sorceress who has a connection to Morgana, Morgause desires the doom of Uther and Camelot.

  • Action Girl: So much that she can best Arthur in a duel.
  • The Baroness: The Rosa Klebb type.
  • Big Bad: Season 3, after being built up some during Season 2.
  • Big Sister Instinct / Cool Big Sis: Towards Morgana. Seriously, what sister would give you a kingdom to reign over?
  • Blondes Are Evil
  • Breakout Villain: She was only going to be around for a couple of episodes until the writers released how important she was to Morgana's Story Arc.
  • Brown Eyes
  • Chainmail Bikini: Averted. She gears up for combat appropriately.
  • Enemy Mine / Fire-Forged Friends: Morgause and Cenred seem to be allies over their mutual hatred for Uther.
  • Evil Sorceress
  • Eyes of Gold: When using magic.
  • Hair of Gold
  • Heterosexual Life Partners: With Morgana.
  • Hot Chick with a Sword
  • Kick the Dog: Putting a spell on Morgana to make her the vessel to summon the Knights of Medhir in order to destroy Camelot without telling Morgana probably wasn't Morgause's best idea in the world...
  • Killed Off for Real: By Morgana in the series 4 premier. It's a Mercy Kill, with Morgause's full consent.
  • Knight Templar Big Sister
  • Lady in Red
  • Long-Lost Relative
  • Ms. Fanservice
  • Only Mostly Dead: Apparently killed in the season 3 finale, but she comes back in season 4. Given her mutated face, it's clear that she and Morgana went to extreme lengths to keep her alive.
  • Pet the Dog: In spite of her plot to murder Uther, Morgause does find time to reunite with her half-sister Morgana and give her a bracelet that would help her sleep. And help her take over Camelot...
  • The Reveal: She is Morgana's half-sister. Episode 3x05 throws this into doubt. The only way they are truly related is if they share the same mother, or if somehow Uther Pendragon is also her father as well..
    • Not necessarily. It is possible to come up with a logical, if convoluted, timeline that reconciles their relationship and Uther and Morgana's, though it pretty much hinges upon her mother becoming rather... lonely on a somewhat regular basis while her husband is on some sort of epic quest.
      • It's like this: Vivienne is the mother of Morgause and Morgana; Gorlois is Morgause's father and Uther is Morgana's father. Simple. They share the same mother, as Morgause got the special sleeping bracelet that she gave to Morgana, from her mother.
      • Confusion arises out the fact that when Morgause first appeared in Camelot, Gaius and Uther referred to her as "Morgana's half-sister". But at that point, Morgana's true paternity was a secret, which meant that if Gorlois was considered both Morgana and Morgause's biological father, they should have been described as full sisters, at least until the truth about Uther's true relationship became known. As such, the only way the "half-sister" comment makes sense at that point would be if Morgause's father was someone other than Gorlois, leaving Vivienne as the parent they share in common. If Gorlois was supposed to be the shared parent, then they are clearly not half-sisters at all - which doesn't make sense considering they continued to call each other "sister" after The Reveal.
  • Romantic Two-Girl Friendship: With Morgana.
  • Samus Is a Girl: Her Badass debut.
  • Thanatos Gambit: She ensures that her death furthers Morgana's cause.
  • Unkempt Beauty: When fully armored. Otherwise, she seems to take time to style her hair and also dress very nicely.
  • Well-Intentioned Extremist

Igraine (Alice Patten)

Arthur's mother and the late wife of Uther.

Freya (Laura Donnelly)

"You already saved me. You made me feel loved."

Freya is a young Druid woman with a dark secret who Merlin protects from captivity. They develop a strong bond in the process. Freya becomes Merlin's first love.

Characters Introduced in Season 3

Cenred (Tom Ellis)

The ruler of the rivaling kingdom of Cenred (named after himself), Cenred seeks the downfall of Uther and Camelot by becoming an accomplice of Morgause's.

Cenred: You are very beautiful when you're angry.
Morgause: Is that why you continue to defy me?
Cenred: You wouldn't like it if I made it easy for you.

Gwaine (Eoin Macken)

If there's one thing that I learned from my father's life is that titles don't mean anything. It's what's inside that counts.

A man who saves Arthur during a brawl at a town tavern, Gwaine is given hospitality at Camelot until his injuries heal. He resents nobles and is secretly the son of a knight. He helps Merlin in protecting Arthur from danger during the melee. He is a future Knight of the Round Table.

Elyan (Adetomiwa Edun)

Guinevere's estranged brother and only sibling.

Percival (Tom Hopper)

A warrior who arrives with Lancelot in order to help Arthur and his loyalists take back Camelot. Having showed up in the very last episode of the third season, we know virtually nothing about him yet.

Characters Introduced in Season 4

Agravaine (Nathaniel Parker)

Arthur's uncle on his mother's side, Agravaine has been helping his nephew run the kingdom during Uther's sickness. It soon becomes clear that he's not a man to be trusted.

Aithusa

A white baby dragon that Merlin hatches from a long-dormant egg, and said to be a good omen for the coming Golden Age of Arthur's reign. The events of the series four finale throw this into some doubt.

Helios (Terence Maynard)

A womanizing warlord that Morgana enlists in her crusade against Camelot and whose army attacks it at the end of series four.

Tristan and Isolde (Ben Daniels and Miranda Raison)

A pair of smugglers (and lovers) who don't think highly of Camelot or its King, but who decide to throw in their lot with Arthur after he and Merlin save Isolde's life.

  1. ↑ In order, they are: Morgana, Sophia, Guinevere, Vivian, Elena, Mithian
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