Rueben's Ramblings

With the season premiere of Merlin airing tonight on Syfy, fans might find it interesting to get an inside look at the main cast of the popular series before the big event happens.

The following are parts of interviews with Colin Morgan (Merlin), Bradley James (Arthur) and Katie McGrath (Morgana):

Katie McGrath as Morgana

Question: (This season) Morgana is the villain, but she didn’t start (out) that way. How do you create some form of humanity or sympathy for such a wicked character?

Katie: It’s fairly easy for me because ultimately I believe in what she’s doing and why she’s doing it. She’s been betrayed by her father, ostracized from her family and she’s all alone. She’s running on pure revenge, pure adrenaline fueled by pure revenge. I do feel sorry for her.

Question: Has Morgana’s appearance also made the transition to evil?

Katie: (She) now kind of looks like a Goth Jessica Rabbit. She is the character that (has) really changed the most…it’s a massive transformation.

Question: This season continues down a darker, more dramatic path. Do you feel the show is following a natural evolution?

Katie: The co-creators (Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps) have found a formula that works and they have taken it to the next level with this season. The show still has all the great comedy and relationships that the audiences adore, but we’ve gotten more sinister and the show has gotten there in a very organic way.

Colin Morgan as Merlin

Question: Morgana presents the greatest threat to Camelot, correct?

Colin: Yes, she is desperate to claim the throne, and the only person standing in her way is Arthur. She is absolutely power hungry, fixated on regaining Camelot. She is Merlin’s ultimate enemy.

Question: What is Arthur and Merlin’s relationship like now?

Colin: They are master and servant, but they have also always been friends. They can’t help but like each other for their own quirks. What is different this season is that you see a vulnerable prince making use of Merlin as an advisor.

Question: Is Arthur still in the dark about Merlin’s magical power?

Colin: Yes, Arthur still has no idea about Merlin’s magic. If Merlin revealed his power to Arthur now, he could risk everything. Merlin’s dream is to live in a land where he can be free and ruled by the greatest king the world has ever known. But right now it would be madness for him to risk that for the selfish reason of revealing himself.

Bradley James as Arthur

Question: What has happened to Arthur since the last time we saw him?

Bradley: Arthur has to take the responsibility for the kingdom on his shoulders because his father has lost his mind. All eyes of the kingdom are now upon him, looking to him, not to Uther. Morgana poses an enormous threat to the kingdom Arthur is trying to protect. He has been thrown into the deep end of a very grave situation.

Question: How does Arthur cope with this responsibility?

Bradley: It’s not always easy for him, constantly learning lessons from his mistakes. But he’s the man you would want in a crisis because he always sticks by what he feels is right, which is a very good quality.

Question: Has this changed the relationship between Arthur and Merlin?

Bradley: Their friendship has grown, and Merlin comes up with pearls of wisdom more and more often. It’s harder for Arthur to turn those into a joke and pretend Merlin is just being stupid. They are now forming a much closer relationship.

Once again, tune in tonight at 10 PM for the return of Merlin on Syfy to find out just what happens next for Merlin, Arthur and Morgana.