Almost two decades following the conclusion of the cherished BBC One fantasy series Merlin, its co-creator and scribe, Julian Jones, shared his sole regret, which centers around the show’s initial episode itself.
In 2008, the first installment of the series called “The Dragon’s Call” was broadcasted. This episode introduced Colin Morgan’s character, Merlin, as he entered Camelot for the first time. Here, court physician Gaius (played by Richard Wilson) welcomed him and later became a friend. The storyline also featured an ominous witch (Eve Myles) who posed a threat to Prince Arthur (portrayed by Bradley James).
As a passionate cinephile, I’m eagerly awaiting my chat with The Ladies of the Lake on their podcast, set for release on the 12th of September. In this conversation, Jones expressed his thoughts about an episode he felt was missing that grand, cinematic feel, a quality that became more apparent as subsequent episodes and seasons unfolded.
He conveyed: “I’m not fully grasping all the errors that occurred, but it appears as though the show’s narrative lacks sufficient space. I’m not suggesting I have the solution to these problems, yet there are wonderful moments, such as when Merlin first meets Arthur, which beautifully sets the stage for their relationship. I also appreciate the dynamic between Merlin and Gaius.
Perhaps the tale could have benefited from a more straightforward approach, featuring a creature menacing Camelot. This change might’ve allowed for a little more character development and provided viewers with a sense of the grandeur of the series.
Jones further explained: “Initially, our involvement started after working on the teen series As If and Hex. Although Hex portrayed a woman with supernatural abilities, it lacked the grandeur that Merlin, a show we later found, possesses.
As the series progresses, I believe each installment is improving. It seems to me that it needed some time to establish itself. Frankly, it’s not revolutionary, and many shows are cancelled prematurely nowadays. They deserve more opportunities. Looking back, I can’t help but wish we had a better idea of what we were getting into before we began.
In 2023, Johnny Capps, one of the creators, shared with TopMob that he and fellow creator Julian Murphy often discuss the possibility of revisiting the legend once more. If the character Merlin were to be resurrected, they expressed a desire to enhance the special effects significantly.
Despite his remarks, he expressed that he was genuinely satisfied with the casting and felt pride in the scripts and their work. He mentioned that with current technology, they might be able to improve certain aspects, but overall, he wouldn’t change a thing regarding any other aspect of the production.
Right now, you can catch up on previous installments of The Ladies of the Lake podcast. On September 12th, 2025, the entire interview with Julian Jones will be released for your listening pleasure.
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2025-09-08 20:04