Angel Coulby
Sorcery, swords and swashbuckling adventure has come to the Midlands as FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) in collaboration with Warwick Castle opens Merlin: The Dragon Tower attraction at Warwick Castle.
Based on the hit BBC One family drama, Merlin: The Dragon Tower is the first ever experience inspired by the show. Warwick Castle have worked closely with Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy, the award winning creators and executive producers at Shine TV Ltd, and FME who have invested in the series and hold the exclusive distribution, home entertainment and licensing rights to the show.
Warwick Castle aims to give visitors the chance to experience the magic of Arthurian legend first hand. At the heart of the attraction is a magical mirror, which will allow visitors to interact with The Great Dragon.
Created by Shine TV, Merlin tells the story of the young wizard as he struggles to survive in a kingdom where magic is banned where he must protect Camelot and aide Arthur to fulfil his true destiny. The show stars Colin Morgan as Merlin, Bradley James as Prince Arthur, Anthony Head as King Uther, Katie McGrath as Morgana, Angel Coulby as Gwen, Richard Wilson as Gaius and John Hurt as the voice of the Great Dragon.
Series three has seen a host of high-profile guest-stars including: Emilia Fox, Tom Ellis, Miriam Margoyles, Warwick Davies and Pauline Collins.
First broadcast in the UK in 2008, Merlin has now been sold to more than 50 broadcasters in 183 countries including the US on Syfy, MICO in Japan, Network 10 in Australia and RTL in Germany. The last series of the show pulled in regular UK audiences of over seven million viewers per episode on BBC One.
Tim Harrison-Jones, General Manager of Warwick Castle, said; "This will be an exceptional visitor attraction, completely in keeping with our reputation as Britain’s ultimate castle and designed to wow visitors young and old.
"We are the first attraction globally to have the rights to use the Merlin brand and it will be perfectly executed. We want people to feel as though they are walking into the TV show or stepping back in time to a world of wizardry and wonderment".
Pindy O’Brien, VP Brand Licensing & Retail, FME said, "As viewing figures continue to grow around the world, fantastic casting and new guest stars week on week, a growing licensing programme and now a fantastic new live event, Merlin has become a truly global brand. We’re delighted to be working with Warwick Castle to give fans a whole new way to engage with Merlin off screen."
Merlin creators and producers Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy said, "Merlin has attracted a huge following in the UK and now with the help of FME and Warwick Castle, we are thrilled that fans can immerse themselves into this magical enchanted world even further".
A fourth series of Merlin has been commissioned by the BBC and will go into production in March 2011.
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