Links to our threads on Arthurian derivatives Caliber (what if Arthur were a 19th-century gunslinger?), King Arthur (2004; what if Arthur were really a Roman general?), The Last Legion (2007; what if Arthur were really the son of a Roman emperor?), Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) and Roundtable (what if the Arthurian knights were modern-day ghostbusters?).
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Hurt takes on dragon in 'Merlin'
John Hurt, Santiago Cabrera and Michelle Ryan have joined the cast of BBC1 fantasy drama "Merlin," which will air on NBC.
Hurt will voice the Great Dragon, while Cabrera ("Heroes") will play Lancelot.
British actress Ryan, last seen in NBC's remake of "Bionic Woman," will play the sorceress Nimueh.
Created and produced by Elisabeth Murdoch's growing U.K. shingle Shine Television, "Merlin" will premiere in the U.K. in September on BBC1, before airing on NBC this winter in a Sunday evening slot. . . .
Variety, July 22
John Hurt breathes fire into 'Merlin'
Other cast members of the series, which details the life of Arthur long before he becomes king, include Richard Wilson as Gaius, Anthony Head as King Uther Pendragon, Colin Morgan as the young wizard Merlin and Bradley James as the arrogant, brave Prince Arthur.
Hollywood Reporter, July 22