List of Merlin characters

This is a list of characters in the BBC fantasy drama television series Merlin, including supporting characters.

Note: All characters are Alphabetical using the first name.

A

Prince Arthur Pendragon
File:ArthurPendragon.jpg
First appearance	The Dragon's Call
Portrayed by	Bradley James
In-universe information
Gender	Male
Occupation	Knight and Prince

Arthur Pendragon portrayed by Bradley James is the Prince of Camelot and heir to the throne. Arthur is described as a bully by Merlin and beats Merlin twice in battles in The Dragon's Call. Arthur is the son of King Uther Pendragon and has the same attitude as his father. Merlin and Arthur both have an instant dislike to one another but will eventually begin to trust in each other. It is not known, however, if Arthur is on his fathers side and will report if any use of magic is used in Camelot. It is known that he grew up without a mother but how she died remains unknown. He also has a half-sister named Morgana. Arthur figures that there is something about Merlin that he "just can't put his finger on it" and believes he is special in a way. In Valiant, he ends up battling Valiant in the arena.

E

Edwin Muirden

Edwin Muirden portrayed by Julian Rhind-Tutt. Nothing is known on Edwin at this time.

G

Gaius

Gaius
File:Gaius.jpg
First appearance	The Dragon's Call
Portrayed by	Richard Wilson
In-universe information
Gender	Male
Occupation	Court Physician

Gaius portrayed by Richard Wilson is Camelot's court physician and Merlins guardian. In "The Dragon's Call", his life is saved by Merlin when he uses magic but Merlin denies it. Gaius soon tricks Merlin into using magic and keeps his secret from Camelot and warns Merlin if he is not careful, he too will be excecuted. Gaius gets Merlin out of trouble in "The Dragon's Call" and gets tired of it. Gaius gives Merlin the book of magic to study in secret.

Guinevere

Guinevere 'Gwen' portrayed by Angel Coulby is Morgana's personal servant. She is also best friends with Morgana and has known her for years. She has a flirtatious relationship with Merlin and denies that she would ever want to marry someone like Prince Arthur. Her father is a blacksmith.

Great Dragon

Great Dragon
File:The Great Dragon.jpg
First appearance	The Dragon's Call
Portrayed by	John Hurt
In-universe information
Gender	Male

The Great Dragon portrayed by John Hurt is a legendary dragon that is imprisioned in the caves by King Uther Pendragon. Twenty years prior to the events of the series, Uther had outlawed magic in Albion and killed every dragon but one, whom he spared to serve as an example. Merlin looks for the voice that has been haunting him and it leads him to the Great Dragon. Not much is known about the dragon, but is known to be Merlin's mentor in magic, and tells him that Arthur is part of his destiny and if he does not follow it, then destiny will choose him.

The character is entirely original to the television series, not existing in any previous Arthurian legend. Merlin is, however, associated with dragons (see Dinas Emrys).

L

Lady Helen

Lady Helen of Mora portrayed by Eve Myles was a famous singer who was on her way to Camelot to perform at King Uther's festival, until she was killed by Mary Collins using poppet magic. Collins then assumed Lady Helen's appearance in an attempt to kill Prince Arthur.

Lancelot

Sir Lancelot du Lac portrayed by Santiago Cabrera is a knight and one of Arthurs most trusted. He will play his part later on in the series.

M

Mary Collins

Mary Collins portrayed by Eve Myles was a sorceress and the antagonist of the episode "The Dragon's Call". After her son was executed for using magic, she threatened King Uther Pendragon. She killed Lady Helen, who was visiting to Camelot to sing, and assumed Lady Helen's appearance. However, her true form can be revealed in any reflection. When she sings, she puts everybody under a sleeping spell. Merlin is the only one not affected and stops her from killing Arthur. As everybody awakens, her true form is seen, and she throws a dagger at Arthur. Merlin saves him and Mary Collins dies.

Merlin

Merlin
File:Merlincharacter.jpg
First appearance	The Dragon's Call
Portrayed by	Colin Morgan
In-universe information
Gender	Male
Occupation	Sorcerer & Arthur's Manservant

Merlin portrayed by Colin Morgan, is the protagonist of Merlin. He is a young sorcerer who is sent to Camelot by his mother. When he first arrives, he knows that magic is forbidden in Camelot and anybody who is caught using it will be excecuted. When he meets Gaius, he saves his life when he falls from the balcony. Gauis believes it was magic that saved him, which Merlin denies. He ends up being tricked by Gaius and stops a bucket of water from falling using magic, but soon lets go. Gaius, of course, keeps his secret as he does not want Merlin to get killed. Merlin dislikes Arthur and describes him as a bully. He fights with him twice and loses both times, but secretly uses magic the second time until he is distracted when he sees Gaius watching, resulting him being hit in the back by Arthur. In "The Dragon's Call", he is haunted by a voice which he keeps hearing everytime he hears, and decides to follow it and ends up below the castle where he meets the great dragon, and realises he has magic powers for a reason. It is known to be his destiny to protect Arthur and wishes that this was not his destiny and believes that he is the wrong person for the job, yet at the end of the first episode, he is apointed Arthur's protector after saving his life from Mary Collins. However, Arthur is disappointed about this and in a sense, Merlin is too. At the end of the episode, he is given a book of magic by Gaius to study in secret.

Morgana

Morgana portrayed by Katie McGrath is the ward of Uther Pendragon. She does not like the idea of her adoptive father executing anybody who uses magic. It is implied that Morgana may have the gift of prophecy through her dreams.

N

Nimueh

Nimueh portrayed by Michelle Ryan is an evil, yet beautiful witch. In the third episode, she moulds a clay model of a tiny creature that she brings to life with a drop of water. She places the strange being into an egg and sends it hurtling down the river that flows towards Camelot. The egg surfaces in the water of a darkened vault, which supplies all of Camelot's drinking water and poisons it. When Gaius is forced to admit that this was done by magic, Uther has Gwen arrested for witchcraft.

U

Uther Pendragon

King Uther Pendragon
File:Uther.jpg
First appearance	The Dragon's Call
Portrayed by	Anthony Head
In-universe information
Gender	Male
Occupation	King

Uther Pendragon portrayed by Anthony Head is the king of Camelot. He despises the use of magic and orders the execution of anyone caught using sorcery, thus making Merlin be more cautious on using his powers. He has a son named Arthur and an adoptive daughter named Morgana. He has a very bad attitude and his son is just like him in many ways. He was once a knight but became King many years ago. In "The Dragon's Call", he was threatened by Mary Collins after he executed her son. At the end of the episode, she nearly kills Arthur, but Merlin saves him. King Uther then makes Merlin Arthur's manservant.

V

Valiant

Valiant portrayed by Will Mellor, is a knight, who comes to Camelot to battle in the annual sword-fighting tournament. However, he is known as a cheat and has a power that unleashes snakes and if he unleashes them, then Arthur may surely die.