Merlin producer Julian Murphy talks exclusively to SFX about the future of the hit fantasy show

Merlin series three kicks off its two-part final&e😼acute; tonight on BBC1, and producer Julian Murphy promises that by the end of the second episode, things will never be the same again.

“The last two are very special episodes because pr♓obably there are more crucial moments from the legend in them than in any other,” he tells us. “In episode 13 there are three or four absolutely iconic moments.”

“The changes that happen in 12 and 13 are bigger than anything we h🎉ave ever done before. Real game changing stuff. And they set up the direction that series four is going in. You get a good glimpse of the future.”

So, will Arthur finally 😼discover thatꦏ Merlin is a sorcerer? Murphy remains tight-lipped. “I’m not going to tell you what happens, which is really what you’re asking. But I will say I think people will be surprised at the direction the story takes.”

He does, however, reveal that we’ll see the first fall out of the events in “The Eye Of The Phoenix” (in which Arthur traveled to the land of the 🐷Fisher King) in episode 13.

He’s also happy to confirm that the show’s mentor figure, Gaius, played by Richard Wi♉lson, won’t be suffering the usual fate of fantasy mentors, and meeting his maker.

“No, we see no end for Gaius – ꦇhonestly,” he assures us. “As long as Richard wants to do it, which he does at the moment. He’s getting on, but he loves doing it. So I hope that he continues as long as possible. He’s certainly in series four.”

Talking of series four,ℱ Murphy reveals why it has will only be 10 episodes long as opposed to the usual 13.

“It was brutally about money,” he admits. “Merlin is an expensive show, no question of that. And what we are not prepared to do is cut its budget or production values. It’s not a programme you can do that with. For us, Merlin relies on those production values. So I think it was a💫 combination of our desire not to change or reduce the budget, and the lack of money at the BBC and elsewhere. The BBC has had a really to🐼ugh hit.

Bu🅰t the reduction in episodes could have a silver lining.

“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 tou🌼gh times for British broadcasters.”

Merlin is on BBC1 at 7.45 tonight.

is available on DVD now.
is available on 24 January.
in available on 24 January.

We will have more from Julian Murphy on series three – and it’s quite stunning viewing figures opposite the ratings behemoth that is The X-Factor – in the coming weeks.

Oh, and check our for a very unexpected guest star in last week’s Merlin .