The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin
The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin
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The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin

7.5
Yr 2026
Status Returning Series
Sci-Fi & Fantasy Action & Adventure Family Drama
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Series Brief

Overview

Merlin, the immortal son of the bard Taliesin and Atlantean Princess Charis, is followed through his tragic upbringing, descent into madness, and shocking disappearance, leading to the legend that surrounds him. Set before King Arthur's birth, Merlin, assumed dead or a myth, reemerges in sub-Roman Britain to unite the fractured kingdoms under threat from Saxon invaders.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 78 /100

Critical reception for The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin is largely favorable, with reviewers praising the fantasy series for its earnest storytelling, strong visual presentation, and fresh approach to Arthurian lore. Many critics commend the project for offering a compelling alternative to mainstream fantasy tropes while staying faithful to its source material.

The performances are widely praised across reviews, particularly Tom Sharp's portrayal of Merlin. Lead actors Rose Reid and James Arden are also singled out for bringing emotional depth and authenticity to their roles, helping ground the high-concept mythological narrative with well-drawn characters.

However, the reception is not entirely glowing. While critics appreciate the show's scope and ambition, some reviewers note that the pacing and execution can feel uneven across episodes.

“The Pendragon cast is uniformly excellent, with the leads giving fantastic performance.”

“An ambitious and surprisingly solid fantasy series elevated by strong visuals, earnest storytelling, and an excellent Merlin.”

“A testament to the benefits of storytelling outside the confines of mainstream media, with compelling concepts and themes and strong performances.”

“The show itself feels pretty uneven.”

Why fans love it

The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin anchors its fantasy roots in a version of sub-Roman Britain that feels grounded in grit rather than polished folklore. By focusing on the figure of Merlin before the rise of Arthur, the show explores how mythology is constructed from the wreckage of a fractured kingdom. It treats the survival of the protagonist as a burden rather than a gift, centering the drama on the internal cost of uniting disparate territories against invading forces.

Tom Sharp embodies a portrayal of the wizard that prioritizes the character’s volatile history over his status as a legendary figure. The series balances high-concept magic with a somber tone, grounding its supernatural elements in the harsh physical reality of its setting. It successfully turns classic Arthurian expectations upside down by presenting the path to Camelot as an act of desperate necessity rather than a foregone, glorious conclusion.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 11
Longest run 7 eps
Tom Sharp
Tom Sharp
as Merlin
7 episodes
Rose Reid
Rose Reid
as Charis
7 episodes
George Prentice
George Prentice
as Dafyd
4 episodes
Duran Fulton Brown
Duran Fulton Brown
as Elphin
4 episodes
Flo Thompstone
Flo Thompstone
as Ygerna
2 episodes
Robert Anderson
as Cernunnos
1 episode
Diego Ezequil Almarza Batuecas
as Bull Jumper
1 episode
Julian Gomez Carpio
as Maro
1 episode
Show 67 more
Paul Clerkin as Hafgan 5 episodes Nick Collis as Annubi 1 episode Daniel Considine as Magnus Maximus 2 episodes Angel Gonzalez-Gallego Corral as Bull Jumper 1 episode Miriam Garcia Donoso as Bull Jumper 1 episode Daniel Alcala Garcia as Bull Jumper 1 episode Barry John Kinsella as Cuall 3 episodes Kinga Kivés as Galai 1 episode Zsolt Kormendy as Long Mustached Warrior 1 episode Tibor Kummer as Sentry 1 episode Rafael Espada Martinez as Joet 1 episode Vanda Móczár as Kalili 1 episode Zorka Luca Molnar as Jundi 1 episode Bertie Newman as Collen 2 episodes Sergio Martinez Nuñez as Bull Jumper 1 episode Javier Pradanas as Bull Jumper 1 episode Andrew Readman as The Wanderer 3 episodes David Ramirez Rodriguez as Bull Jumper 1 episode Miguel Angel Arranz Saz as Peronn 1 episode Ben Adams as Gwyddno Garanhir 1 episode István Áldott as Soldier 1 episode Bailee Carroll as Young Myrddin 1 episode Jenn Kirk as Handmaiden 1 episode Christopher Sciueref as Pendaran 3 episodes David H. Troyer as Atlantean Noble and Cymry 2 episodes Dianna R. Troyer as Atlantean Noble and Cymry 2 episodes Sofia Ferrante as Young Morgian 1 episode Kata Sarbó as Heilyn 1 episode Seán James Sutton as Calpurnius 1 episode András Bagoly as Someone Loyal 1 episode Theo Jacques as Daned 1 episode Sam Kozeluh as Iddec 1 episode Booda as Chief Druid 1 episode Matthew Scurfield as Old Man Dafyd 2 episodes Jeremy Wheeler as Duach 1 episode Nicholas Wittman as Pascent 2 episodes Sam Bell as Govan 1 episode Ralph Berkin as Loth 1 episode Anders Grundberg as Urien 1 episode Joe T. Horn as Morcant's Guard 1 episode Alessandro Sparta as Soldier 1 1 episode Chick Allan as Gorlas 2 episodes Joel Cottingham as Ceredigawn 2 episodes Mark Griffith as Drem 1 episode Lynn Hunter as Gern-Y-Fhain 2 episodes Roy McCrerey as Coledac 2 episodes Balázs Megyeri as House Carle 2 episodes Howard Nightingall as Dunaut 2 episodes Sam Pembroke as Sam Pembroke 1 episode William Snelling as Hen Dallpen 1 episode Travis Mills as Loeter 1 episode Coral Mizrachi as Bebbin 1 episode James Arden as Taliesin 3 episodes Nicholas Boulton as Morcant 3 episodes Brett Cooper as Ganieda 5 episodes George Osborne as Lot 3 episodes Emree Franklin as Morgian 4 episodes Alex Laurence - Phillips as Pelleas 5 episodes Myles Clohessy as Uther 4 episodes Finney Cassidy as Aurelius 4 episodes Daniel Fathers as Avallach 3 episodes Steve Varnom as Custennin 3 episodes David Brooks as Tewdrig 3 episodes Alex Arco as Meurig 3 episodes Thor Rosland as Hengist 3 episodes Tom Tidiman as Aldwyn 3 episodes Rebecka Johnston as Rhonwyn 4 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

based on novel or book camelot excalibur arthurian mythology fantasy historical fantasy drama adventure
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
January 22, 2026
Status
Returning Series
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
46