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This is a list of characters in the BBC fantasy drama television series Merlin, including supporting characters.

Note: All characters are Alphabetical using the first name.

Anhora
Anhora portrayed by Frank Finlay is the guardian of the kingdom's unicorns. When Arthur kills one while hunting, Anhora tells him that a curse has been unleashed upon Camelot and cannot be lifted until Arthur makes amends. Anhora then sets various "tests" for him which Arthur fails when he kills the thief Ewan for insulting his pride and honour. Merlin sees how agitated and desperate Arthur has become to protect his subjects so he goes to Anhora and asks if Arthur could have a second chance. Anhora tells Merlin to make Arthur go the Labyrinth of Gedref, a maze. Arthur goes but unbeknownst to him, Merlin has followed. Anhora kidnaps Merlin, tying him up and fastening the young warlock to a chair. Arthur and Merlin (who is released at Arthur's demand) both are sat a table and two chalices filled with a liquid are there. One of them is poisoned, the other one normal. Arthur and Merlin pour both liquids into one goblet, but, although Merlin believes that he should drink it ar Arthur has more to offer the kingdom as a whole than he does, Arthur drinks the chalice by distracting Merlin. As it turns out, the poisoned chalice was simply laced with a harmless sleeping draught and Arthur will eventually recover. Because he proved he was willing to die for Merlin, Arthur makes amends to the killing of the unicorn, restoring the crops and water once again.

Arthur Pendragon
Arthur Pendragon (based on King Arthur from the Arthurian legend) portrayed by Bradley James is the Prince of Camelot, heir to the throne, and will apparently be one day be "The Once and Future King who will unite the Land of Albion." Arthur is initially described as a bully by Merlin and Gwen, and beats Merlin twice in battles in The Dragon's Call. Arthur is the son of King Uther Pendragon and has the same domineering attitude as his father. Merlin and Arthur both have an instant dislike to one another but eventually begin to trust in each other and become friends, to the point where Arthur undertakes a life-endangering quest to find the antidote to the magical poison that is killing Merlin. He also trusts Merlin to cover up for him on various occasions, with Merlin often being punished for it. It is not known, however, if Arthur will take his father's stance on magic and report any use of sorcery in Camelot as it seems he may have some idea of Merlin being a wizard. He grew up without a mother because she died during his birth, and appears to have affections for his father's ward (and, in some legends his half-sister) Morgana, though he denies this every time someone mentions it. Arthur figures that there is something about Merlin that he "just can't put his finger on" and believes he is special in some way, though as yet he seems unaware of his and Merlin's joint destinies. He is also unaware of the amount of times Merlin has saved his and his father's lives, mainly due to lies by Merlin and Gaius to protect them.

In "Excalibur" it is revealed he was conceived using magic as his mother was barren. She died during his birth, leading to his father's hatred of all magic and especially the witch Nimueh, who cast the spell. Few know this (Uther, Gaius and Nimueh) and all have sworn to secrecy or have no way of telling him. Uther has also stated if he could, he would not have made that wish.

Arthur is a master swordsman, being the reigning Champion of Camelot and Leader of the Knights of Camelot. He is also the only one who can wield Excalibur, due to his destiny as King Arthur. He is rather proud of his physical prowess, so much so he swears Merlin and Gaius to secrecy when he is made to believe that Merlin knocked him out. He is softer than he appears, putting on a hard front to deal with his father's criticism and his future role as King, and refuses to admit he has a nice side, despite displaying it on several occasions. He believes himself to be a "big disappointment" to his father due to his father's attitude towards him, something Uther proclaims as his fault. He also has a strong sense of honour and morality, disobeying his father on several occasions when he believes he has made the wrong choice or is being unfair. Arthur is 21 years old, and later in the series he officially becomes Crown Prince of Camelot at his coming of age ceremony. Although he is shown to be rather arrogant and headstrong at times, known to be stubborn when he doesn't get his way and becoming particularly hostile when his honour or skills are questioned, he has shown on many occasions that he cares for his people, as seen most strongly in his friendship with Merlin; even when ignorant of Merlin's powers and destiny, he has twice faced death to save Merlin's life, subsequently defying his father's orders to help Merlin defend his village. Though from very different social classes, Merlin is one of the few people who can tell Arthur what to do or when he's being an idiot without fear of punishment. Their friendship is hidden by banter and insults, with them often playing tricks on each other, but they are very close, and several events in the season imply a kind of mental bond, with both being aware when the other is in danger, even when unconscious..

Aulfric
Aulfric portrayed by Kenneth Cranham arrived in Camelot after he and his daughter, Sophia, were rescued from bandits by Arthur. He and Sophia were secretly magical creatures known as Sidhe, but were banished from Avalon (the land of immortal life) because Aulfric killed another Sidhe. He was then forced to live as a mortal but Sophia could return to Avalon if she sacrificed a mortal prince to the Sidhe elders. Merlin prevented them from killing Arthur, and himself killed Aulfric and Sophia using Sophia's magical staff.

Lord Bayard
Lord Bayard portrayed by Clive Russell is the ruler of a neighbouring kingdom with whom Uther signs a peace treaty. When Merlin is poisoned at the celebratory feast, Uther believes the poison was meant for Arthur, and has Bayard and his entire royal court thrown into the dungeons. Soldiers from Bayard's own kingdom are dispatched to start a war, but are stopped when Gaius tells Uther that the poisoning was the work of Nimueh.

Edwin Muirden
Edwin Muirden portrayed by Julian Rhind-Tutt was a sorcerer who went to Camelot in the guise of a physician. His aim was to avenge the death of his sorcerer parents, who were executed during Uther's purge of magic from Camelot. His face was disfigured in his childhood because he tried to save his parents from being burned at the stake, and he was treated by Gaius. Edwin's parents were old friends of Gaius but Gaius knew they had turned to dark magic, and could not bring himself to save them; because of this, Edwin blamed Gaius for their deaths. After poisoning Uther and attempting to kill Gaius- after his attempts to drive Gaius out of Camelot by setting him up to appear incompetent failed-, Edwin was slain by Merlin in a magical duel.

Ewan
Ewan portrayed by Keith Thorne was a royal knight of Camelot. During the kingdom's annual sword-fighting tournament, he was bitten by the snakes on Knight Valiant's magical shield. Gaius managed to procure an antidote but Valiant found out that Merlin had discovered his scheme. He sent his snakes after the injured Ewan and Ewan was bitten again, this time fatally.

Gaius
Gaius portrayed by Richard Wilson is Camelot's court physician and Merlin's uncle. He soon discovers that Merlin has magical powers and gives him a book of sorcery to study from in secret, warning him not to be caught using magic. Gaius himself used to be a sorcerer but knows that Merlin's destiny far surpasses his own. He is also very familiar with the Great Dragon. He is often called upon to get Merlin out of trouble or to remind him not to be reckless with the use of magic. Although his magical abilites are limited when compared to Merlin's, his greater experience is nevertheless of great benefit to Merlin as he learns how to control his abilites, while his knowledge of other such topics as mythology and medicine commonly provide Merlin and his friends with vital information in dealing with the current threat.

Geoffrey of Monmouth
Geoffrey of Monmouth portrayed by Michael Cronin is Uther's court genealogist and an old friend to Gaius.

Great Dragon
The Great Dragon portrayed by John Hurt is a legendary dragon that is imprisoned in the caves by King Uther Pendragon. Twenty years prior to the events of the series, Uther had outlawed magic in Albion and killed every dragon but one, whom he spared to serve as an example. Merlin looks for the voice that has been haunting him and it leads him to the Great Dragon. The mysterious Dragon becomes Merlin's mentor in magic, and tells him that Arthur is part of his destiny and if he does not follow it, then destiny will choose him. The Dragon is also on familiar terms with Gaius, although neither Merlin nor Gaius is aware that the other has met the Dragon. In the finale of the first series, the Great Dragon told Merlin that he was only thinking of his own freedom when helping Merlin, but because the Dragon's machinations nearly destroyed Merlin's mother, Merlin vows that it will never be freed from beneath Camelot. Merlin turns his back on the Dragon and the pair have become enemies, but there are signs that the Dragon's call will now come to Morgana.

The character is entirely original to the television series, not existing in any previous Arthurian legend. Merlin is, however, associated with dragons (see Dinas Emrys).

Guinevere
Guinevere ("Gwen") portrayed by Angel Coulby is Morgana's personal servant. She is also best friends with Morgana and has known her for years, their relationship closer than mistress and servant. Her father was a blacksmith whom Merlin saves from the magical plague unleashed by Nimueh but he is killed when he is accused of using magic. Gwen later develops affections for Lancelot and is very upset when he leaves Camelot. She is one of the few people who know about Morgana's prophetic nightmares, but does not recognise them as such. She has a flirtatious relationship with Merlin and has kissed him. She initially denies that she would ever want to marry someone like Prince Arthur. However, she later seems to change her opinion about Arthur (as does Merlin) and when fighting for Merlin's old village attempts to tell Arthur that she trusts him, in the hesitant style that she has previously slipped into when trying to express her feelings for Merlin and Lancelot, hinting at the King Arthur and Guinevere part of the legend (due to her apparant feelings for both Arthur and Lancelot.) Also, in the final episode when she is nursing an unconscious Arthur, she claims that she knows he will be a better king than his father and the knowledge "keeps her going" though she denies this when he wakes up, embaressed.

Hunith
Hunith portrayed by Caroline Faber is the mother of Merlin. She sends him to Camelot hoping that he will be able to develop his magical talents, but he soon discovers that the use of sorcery there is expressly forbidden and punishable with death. Hunith is Gaius' sister and so she wrote to him asking him to take care of her son. Merlin later returns to her when their village is attacked by raiders.

Igraine Pendragon
Igraine Pendragon (no actor, unseen character) was the wife of Uther Pendragon and mother of Arthur. She and Uther called upon Nimueh to help her conceive an heir to the throne, as a result of which Igraine had to die in childbirth so as to preserve the natural balance of life and death. Her brother, Tristan De Bois, swore revenge on Uther and Nimueh later brought him back from the dead as a wraith in order to wreak vengeance.

Kanan
Kanan portrayed by Alexander Siddig was the ruthless leader of a band of raiders. He and his men attacked Merlin's village and demanded the harvest; so Merlin, Arthur, Morgana and Gwen came to help the villagers fight. The raiders were driven away with the use of magic and Kanan was then fatally wounded by Prince Arthur. Kanan used his dying moments to fire a crossbow at Arthur, but Arthur was saved by Merlin's old friend William.

Lady Helen
Lady Helen of Mora portrayed by Eve Myles was a famous singer who was on her way to Camelot to perform at King Uther's festival, until she was killed by Mary Collins using poppet magic. Collins then assumed Lady Helen's appearance in an attempt to kill Prince Arthur.

Lancelot
Lancelot portrayed by Santiago Cabrera is an outsider to the kingdom and becomes a knight and friend to Arthur with Merlin's help. However, because he is not the son of a nobleman, he cannot legally become a Knight of Camelot. He is arrested for using a forged seal of nobility to become a knight, but later released and saves Arthur's life with the help of Merlin's magic. King Uther considers restoring Lancelot's knighthood but Lancelot cannot bring himself to lie any more, and leaves Camelot. He and Gwen seem to fall for each other but there isn't time for true romance to blossom.

Mary Collins
Mary Collins portrayed by Eve Myles was a sorceress and the antagonist of the episode "The Dragon's Call". After her son was executed for using magic, she threatened to kill Prince Arthur in revenge against the king. She killed Lady Helen, who was visiting Camelot to perform for Uther, and assumed Lady Helen's appearance. However, her true form could be revealed in any reflection. Her singing put the entire royal court into an enchanted sleep except Merlin, and he stopped her from killing Arthur by causing a chandelier to fall on her head. As everybody awoke, her true form was seen, and she threw a dagger at Arthur. Merlin saved him and Mary Collins died from her injuries.

Merlin
Merlin portrayed by Colin Morgan is the protagonist of Merlin. He is a young sorcerer who is sent to Camelot by his mother. When he arrives he soon discovers that magic is forbidden in Camelot and anybody who is caught using it will be executed. He attempts to keep his powers hidden from Gaius, who soon discovers the truth and gives him a book of sorcery to study from in secret. A magical voice leads Merlin to the Great Dragon and he is told of his destiny to protect Arthur and unite Albion together. Merlin initially dislikes Arthur and has a run-in with him, unaware that Arthur is a prince, but is later appointed Arthur's manservant when he saves Arthur's life from Mary Collins. He and Arthur later become much closer, so much so that Arthur risks his own life to find an antidote for Merlin after Merlin is poisoned by the witch Nimueh. Merlin has also covered up for Arthur on several occasions, often being punished for it. He has used magic to save the lives of both Arthur and King Uther Pendragon, and shares a flirtatious relationship with Gwen. He often finds himself in trouble, such as being thrown into the stocks, and Gaius usually has to come to his rescue.

He seems to have a connection with the Druids (a magical race persecuted by Uther) and the Druid-Boy Mordred, who the Great Dragon prophesies will kill Arthur, or at least cause his death indirectly. He is the first to hear his telepathic cry for help, and helps the boy escape the guards despite knowing nothing about him. Mordred calls him Emrys (the Welsh form of Ambrosius, the name of a historical figure who has, in legend, been partially merged with Merlin), which the Great Dragon confirms as one of Merlins names, as Much has been written about you which you have not yet read. He claims he and Merlin are the same and will meet at some future point. Despite the Great Dragon prophesying he will kill Arthur (whom Merlin is supposed to protect) Merlin still saves his life when he hears him call for help telepathically a second time. They also appear similar physicaly, with black hair and blue eyes, and only he and Morgana (who claims a link with him) can hear him when he speaks in their minds.

The actual nature of his magical abilities is unclear, as is whether he needs to learn the magic words at all. In The Dragon's Call he claims I could move objects like that since before I could talk which he does without speaking or moving. However, in later episodes he uses audible spells when using most kinds of magic, including moving objects. His knowledge of magic seems to be, in part, innate, as he uses a Sidhe staff and other magics without knowledge of how to do so and without apparent effort, but is also able to use magic he learns from the book. He also seems to have faster reflexes and senses than others, or possibly unknowingly slows time around himself to cause this effect. His eyes glow gold (they are usually blue) when using any type of magic, but do not stay that colour for the duration of the spell. He also seems to have some kind of subconscious mental link with Arthur, as during The Poisoned Chalice he mutters constantly about Arthur's situation, though Arthur is miles away and he was unconscious at the time. He is also able to send a light to Arthur subconsciously, so it seems he does not need to be awake or coherant to use magic correctly.

In Le Morte d'Arthur both the Great Dragon and Nimueh mentioned that Merlin is of the Old Religion like them. It is from the Old Religion that he draws his power and owes his allegiance. He is able to instinctively harness the power of Life and Death to save Gaius's life and kill Nimeuh.

Mordred
Mordred portrayed by Asa Butterfield is a very young child apprenticed to a Druid. His master is executed on Uther's orders but Morgana and Merlin protect the little boy. Morgana claims to feel an inexplicable link with the boy which drives her to keep him safe. The Great Dragon later tells Merlin that Mordred will one day kill Arthur. Mordred is telepathic and calls Merlin "Emrys", claiming he knows who Merlin is and that they are "the same." Despite the Dragon warning Merlin not to save Mordred, Merlin eventually helps Arthur to escape with the boy and return him to the Druids. Nothing else is known about him.

Morgana
Morgana portrayed by Katie McGrath is the ward of Uther Pendragon. She does not like the idea of her adoptive father executing anybody who uses magic. Arthur and Lancelot find her beautiful and Gwen states that the royal court believes Morgana will one day be his Queen. It is revealed that Morgana has the gift of prophecy through her dreams, and may unknowingly be a sorceress. Uther claims that he once swore to Morgana's father to protect her. Morgana has unknowingly saved Arthur's life at least twice: she foresaw in a dream that he would be in danger when fighting Knight Valiant (and was able to throw a sword to Arthur when he lost his own) and later that Sophia would try to kill him.

N
Narrator

At the beginning of each episode, John Hurt gives the narration 'in a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name: Merlin.' Then an etheral breath hisses as the episode opens. The narrator is credited as the Great Dragon. Also, Frank Finlay gave the narration 'when one proves he is pure of heart, the unicorn will live again' at the end of ''The Labyrinth of Gedref'.

Nimueh
Nimueh portrayed by Michelle Ryan is an evil, yet beautiful witch. In the third episode she poisons Camelot's water supply by unleashing a creature called an Afanc into the vault which provides the city with water. Gwen is blamed for this and arrested for witchcraft, but Gaius discovers that Nimueh was behind the scheme, and Prince Arthur defeats the Afanc with the help of Merlin's magic. In revenge, Nimueh later poisons Merlin with near-fatal results, and almost manages to start a war between Camelot and the neighbouring kingdom of Mercia. She has menaced Camelot long before Merlin arrived, but the details of this have not yet been revealed. Nimueh is capable of great sorcery and has been seen to create life from simple clay, unlock doors, break ledges, form powerful poisons and bring back the dead. It is revealed in the episode "Excalibur" and through interviews with Michelle Ryan that Nimueh was once the personal witch of the Pendragon family, and was called upon to help Uther's queen conceive. She was forced to let Arthur's mother die in childbirth in order to protect the balance of life and death. As a result Uther banished her from Camelot, banned magic from the kingdom and swore to execute all those caught using sorcery. It is suggested that Nimueh's beautiful features are an illusion brought about by her powerful magic; she can change her appearance at will ("The Poison Chalice"), looks no older than the 21-year-old Arthur despite having been in service to his family long before his birth, and the first episode showed that the sorceress Mary Collins could use magic to adopt someone else's appearance.

In the last episode of series 1, Nimueh offers to revive Arthur from a fatal magical wound if Merlin gives his own life in exchange; he agrees but instead she takes the life of his mother. To stop Merlin from sacrificing himself again, Gaius goes in his place, and Merlin becomes involved in a magical battle with Nimueh after refusing her offer to unite with him. He seemed to have killed her, but her character profile on the BBC website heavily implies that she will return in some form.

Sir Owain
Sir Owain portrayed by Kyle Redmond-Jones was a royal knight of Camelot. He died while fighting the mysterious "Black Knight", who was in fact the reanimated form of Uther Pendragon's late brother-in-law Tristan De Bois, brought back as an immortal wraith by Nimueh's magic.

Sir Pellinore
Sir Pellinore portrayed by Sean Francis was a royal knight of Camelot who died in mortal combat with the "Black Knight", really the undead Tristan de Bois.

Sophia
Sophia portrayed by Holliday Grainger was a beautiful young woman who appeared in Camelot with her elderly father, Aulfric. Morgana had a terrifying dream of Arthur dying at Sophia's hands. It emerged that Sophia and Aulfric were Sidhe, magical creatures exiled from the land of eternal life. In order for Sophia to return, she had to sacrifice the soul of a mortal prince to the Sidhe elders. Sophia bewitched Arthur and nearly killed him, but was herself killed by Merlin using her own magical staff.

Tauren
Tauren portrayed by Cal Macaninch was a sorcerer who led a gang of renegade wizards with the aim of bringing down Uther Pendragon. He enlisted the help of Gwen's father, Tom, to perform alchemy with the use of a magical stone but escaped when Tom was caught by the royal guards. He later conspired with Morgana to bring Uther to her father's grave where he could be killed by Tauren, but Morgana had a change of heart as Uther apologised to her for ordering Tom's execution. Tauren then attacked Uther and was fatally wounded by Morgana.

Tom
Tom portrayed by Keith Durham was the father of Guinevere. He worked as a blacksmith in Camelot. When Nimueh poisoned the city's water supply, he fell victim to the magical plague which had killed many others. Merlin cured him using magic, resulting in Gwen being blamed for causing the plague. She was arrested for witchcraft but later released, and joyfully reunited with her father. Tom made the sword which became Excalibur when the Great Dragon gave it magical powers for Arthur's use. He later became involved in a plot by a sorcerer, Tauren, to perform alchemy using the legendary Philosopher's Stone. Tom was arrested and put on trial for treason in unwittingly assisting a known enemy of Camelot, because Uther believed that Tom was supplying weapons to Tauren. Morgana suspected that the trial was a formality and Uther planned to have Tom executed anyway just to make an example of him. He was then killed by soldiers after she helped him to escape from the dungeons.

Tristan De Bois (Black Knight)
Tristan De Bois portrayed by Rick English and voiced by Christopher Fairbank was Uther Pendragon's brother-in-law and Arthur's uncle. He blamed Uther for his sister's death in childbirth and was killed by Uther in a duel to the death. His final words swore vengeance on Uther. Nimueh later used necromancy to bring him back as an undead wraith, harnessing the power of De Bois's suffering while he was alive. This form of De Bois was also killed by Uther, using the sword Excalibur, which had been blessed by the Great Dragon and was intended for Arthur's use only (Uther had Gaius drug Arthur and took his place).

Uther Pendragon
Uther Pendragon portrayed by Anthony Head is the king of Camelot. He despises the use of magic and orders the execution of anyone caught using sorcery, thus forcing Merlin to hide the use of his powers. Uther has a son named Arthur and a legal ward named Morgana. He has a very tyrannical attitude as king and his son is just like him in many ways. He was once a knight but became King many years ago. In "The Dragon's Call", he was threatened by Mary Collins after he executed her son. At the end of the episode, she nearly kills Arthur, but Merlin saves him. King Uther then makes Merlin Arthur's manservant. Uther has a deep fear and hatred of magic, and sometimes mentions an event that caused his fears. This hatred is so strong that he has condemned at least three people to death (Mary Collins's son, a Druid, and the Druid's child apprentice Mordred) solely for the crime of knowing how to use magic, not because they ever used it to cause harm.

He is particularly afraid of Nimueh and it is hinted that he has a personal connection to her and that she caused his hatred of magic. In "Excalibur" it is revealed that his wife Igraine, whom he loved, was barren and so he begged Nimueh (who was his friend and the official court sorceress) to use magic to give him a son. His wife died during Arthur's birth- as a consequence of magic, a life could not be given without another life being taken-, and afterwards he blamed magic for what had happened, banishing Nimueh from the court and killing "her kind." His wife's brother, Tristan, blamed him for her death, and was killed in single combat with Uther. He is proud of his son but worries for Arthur's future as king, and hides this behind overly controlling and critical behaviour towards Arthur, leading Arthur to believe he is a "big disappointment." He thinks Merlin is an idiot, but is grateful for his loyalty towards his son, telling Merlin to "look after him" when Uther was expecting to be killed by the Black Knight. Though he swore to protect Morgana and seems quite fond of her, he claims he will break his promise to protect her without a second thought if she betrays him.

Valiant
Knight Valiant portrayed by Will Mellor was a knight who came to Camelot to battle in the annual sword-fighting tournament. Unknown to others, he had cheated by using a magical shield covered with painted snakes, which came to life at Valiant's command. He planned to kill Prince Arthur with the snakes, take the title of champion and win the heart of Morgana. However, his use of magic was revealed by Merlin and Arthur killed Knight Valiant in the final of the tournament.

William
William portrayed by Joe Dempsie was a childhood friend of Merlin. He had an extreme distrust for nobility because his father died in service to a royal army. When Prince Arthur came to defend Merlin's home village from raiders, William initially accused him of using the villagers as cannon fodder but eventually saw that Arthur was not afraid to risk his own life in battle. William died defending Arthur from being hit by a crossbow, fired by the leader of the defeated raiders. Arthur knew that magic had been used to drive the raiders away, and the dying William took responsibility for this in order to protect Merlin.