This Sunday, the British series Merlin, a re-imagining of the Arthurian legend, premieres on NBC, with a cast of actors mostly unknown on this side of the pond. (The notable exception being Anthony Head from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) But is America ready for a new medieval television series? Sure, Legend of the Seeker just got renewed, and Robin Hood airs on BBC America, but is period fantasy ready for one of the big networks? We took a look back at previous period fantasy shows to see whether they were hits or misses.
Covington Cross (1992)
Like Merlin, this medieval family dramedy was filmed in England, and was a cast of mostly unknowns, although Say Anything's Ione Skye played the tomboy daughter and the parents had also starred in the King Arthur movie Excalibur. (And Glenn Quinn would go on to play Doyle on Angel.) The expensive show filmed 13 episodes but only aired seven, at which point Ross Perot bought the time slot from ABC to boost his image in his run for president. Maybe he could have simply arranged a cameo? Playing a leprechaun?
Wizards and Warriors (1983)
Not counting NBC's poorly rated 2000 mini-series The 10th Kingdom, the last time a big network tried out a regular medieval fantasy TV series was this epically tongue-in-cheek show, starring Jeff Conaway (Taxi) and Julia Duffy (Newhart). Despite keeping the budget down by re-using footage from the previously mentioned Excalibur, it still only lasted eight episodes, which must have been disappointing for series director Bill Bixby. Yes, that Bill Bixby.
The New Adventures of Robin Hood (1996-1999)
Before the BBC's latest adaptation of the Robin Hood tale started up, this TNT original series (their first) featured a magic-infused tale of the archer thief. The show managed to last four seasons -- 52 episodes! -- despite changing the cast a good deal: Maid Marian changed between seasons 1 and 2, and Robin himself changed between seasons 2 and 3, from Matthew Porretta (Robin Hood: Men in Tights' Will Scarlett O'Hara) to John Bradley (L.A. Firefighters).
Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001)
While it ostensibly took place in ancient Greece, the highly popular Xena played fast and loose with its mythology, and incorporated anything it thought would make a good story, including Medieval elements. A spin-off of Hercules, the Legendary Journeys, it actually managed to run longer than its predecessor, and spun off numerous books and comics. Insert victorious ululations here.
Young Blades (2005)
Set in 17th-century France, this series followed the Three Musketeers, but not the originals: D'Artagnan's son teamed up with two other guys and a girl fugitive who was disguised as a guy. (Does that make her a switchblade?) While the young cast was mostly up-and-comers who went on to bigger shows like Battlestar Galactica and Stargate SG-1, the older roles were filled by TV legend Bruce Boxleitner, movie legend Michael Ironside and music legend Sheena Easton. Sadly, that triple threat didn't help the series last beyond 13 episodes.
The Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog (1998-1999)
Saban Entertainment made its name importing and Americanizing Japanese TV shows like Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers for afternoon TV, and, given their success, it was only a matter of time before they tried to create their own show specifically for Western audiences. Enter a team of mystically-powered super-knights who fought monsters in the peaceful kingdom of Kells. Fifty episodes were made, and they even got action figures, but compared to a 10-year franchise like Power Rangers, it was considered a failure. I blame the show's goofy, Celtic-inspired name.
Conan the Adventurer (1997-1998)
Based on the Arnold Schwarzenegger movies, this show was less about barbarianism or destruction, and more about adventuring. Conan (Gladiator's Rolf Mueller) traveled the land with his small companion Otli (Seinfeld's Danny Woodburn). Sadly, Mueller was no Arnold, and Woodburn's frequent Seinfeld guest spots generated no crossover appeal, so the series ended after 22 episodes. Check out the first one below and see why.
What's your favorite period action drama? Don't say Queen of Swords.
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The BBBC version of Robin Hood with Jonas Armstrong and Richard Armitage. Emo Robin!
What about Roar, starring future Brokebat villain Heath Ledger? That was some awesome sword-and-sorcery that got some decent play on Sci-Fi (SyFy now, I guess.)
Considering how they supported "Kings", I'm sure this is in for a long run.
What about "Roar" with Keith Ledger???
I'm impressed with "Legend of the Seeker!" Its actually good! That is NEW for a Tv show. Fantasy makes for great tv, and Merlin can be joined by any number of Tudor and medieval shows. Anything to break the reality-tv monotony.
What will you have to say when HBO's take on George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones" comes out? Will TV be ready to handle *gasp* THREE medieval shows?
Considering the crowded playing field of cop, law, and medical procedurals, I doubt viewers will mind a lousy 2-3 "medieval" dramas.
Legend of the Seeker is my vote for guilty pleasure... it's a bit young for me but definitely great adolescent TV. Plus I get Terry Goodkind's creative vision without having to wade through the writing.
I think the lesson to be learned is that genre medieval fantasy thrives when the production values are marginal.
I actually really liked the 10th Kingdom.
Also I enjoy Merlin, even though it's pretty ridiculous. Check it out, kids!
I predict the show will only last 13 episodes.... What am I saying, the show only has 13 episodes.
It already has a US fan base in the Stargate crowd.
Its funny how Glenn Quinn's name has a mention about how he went on to be on Angel to help American audiences know where else he was from. I realize it is a sci-fi genre show, but Americans would probably know him better as Mark on Roseanne. :)
That being said, Merlin looks interesting, but I wonder if it would have done better on Sci-Fi (I refuse to call it by its new name :P)
Yeah, I would definitely have known exactly who Glenn Quinn was if the article had just said "Mark from Roseanne".
I think what this list kind of goes to show is that, in any genre, what it really comes down to is the writing and the performances of the actors. "Xena" was often about as campy as a matinee performance of the Christmas Panto. But the actors were wholly charismatic, and the performances always solid. How can anyone deny the unmitigated charm of Karl Urban's introduction to American audiences with his Connery-esque: "Caesar. Julius Caesar."
I remember WIZARDS&WARRIORS. Loved that show as a kid.
Merlin = Smallville(Camelot)
And the Dr. Who crowd as well, since pretty much everyone (save Bradley James and Katie McGrath) have done a Who episode.
I liked 10th Kingdom as well!
But the ultimate Medieval show for me will always be Robin of Sherwood (UK series, shown in the US on Showtime). Awesome show, great actors (Ray Winstone, take a bow!), plenty of hoyay, hypnotic music, cool characters, and it was actually influential (introducing an Arab fighter into the Merry Men, mixing historical accuracy and occult/mythical stuff, etc.)!
Skip this lame series and go buy a copy of Mallory's Morte d'Arthur. It is more entertaining and won't rot your brain cells.
I really enjoy the latest BBC version of Robin Hood, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. LOL I know it's nowhere near being historically accurate, but I find it entertaining! :-)
A second series of merlin is in production currently and will be aired in the uk upon the 3rd season of robin hoods completion in the same time slot.
I was 12/13 when 10th Kingdom came out and I loved it, lol, I asked my parents to buy it on VHS, so it's collecting dust somewhere.
BBC's new Robin Hood would be great for the new season if they hadn't killed of Marion and split up the gang. I understand that actress wanted to pursue something else, but at least replace her.
Legend of the Seeker is a major guilty pleasure for me, but what about Roar. Like a double-edged sword, I hate it was cancelled, but then again Heath Ledger probably would've never ended up playing the Joker.
Then there are more recent period adventures such as "Lady Blade", which was a varient Zorro, and "The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne".
What i'd like to know is why can't we have more non historical fantasy? How about Andre Norton's Witchworld? Or Michael Moorcock's Elric? Or for sweet, gooey, thud and blunder mind candy, Fritz Leiber's Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser?
I loved The 10th Kingdom. I really wish it had been made into a quirky, fantasy series. Maybe BBC can remake it someday.
Much love for 10th Kingdom. Definitely a cult mini series and I remember it coming out and wishing for a sequel. So good.
Also I was addicted to Xena and it was so awesome and weird towards the end. Definitely a jewel in the genre.
Legend of the Seeker is pretty awesome and interesting. Sadly, Robin Hood on BBC America got cancelled. Xena was a pretty interesting show. I didn't really get a chance to watch it because it got cancelled.
Legend of the Seeker is pretty awesome and interesting. Sadly, Robin Hood on BBC America got cancelled. Xena was a pretty interesting show. I didn't really get a chance to watch it because it got cancelled.
I was 12 when The Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog was on TV. I would rush home from school, and get my homework done just to watch this show. I LOVED it. Sure, it's a bit corny now, but I still love it, and I'd watch it now with my 2 year old godson, if it were on re-runs.
Is it just me, because I actually think I recognize this article from ABC new's site :) - Greg
I think Merlin has done pretty well. It’s a show that’s grown on me, at first I thought it was just OK and now it’s become one of my favorites. The special effects look great in high definition as well. As a DISH Network employee I really don’t have any excuse I why I procrastinated so long but now that I’ve made the jump I’m certainly happy I did. A lot of my favorite programming really benefits from the added picture clarity and it’s a great time to upgrade too. With DISH Network offering HD free for life (for existing and new customers alike) and the cost of high definition sets getting very reasonable, it’s becoming a budget conscious way to take your home theater experience to the next level.
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