На чем основана история:CHRIS CHIBNALL: We have a grand plan, which if we get things right, I hope will allow for multiple seasons. We are telling the story of Camelot, using Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’ Arthur as our source and base material.
Файнс о своем персонаже:FIENNES: I think what I’ve gone for is more of a warrior-monk, and less of the zen Obi-Wan that he might get to eventually. At this moment, he’s far more hands-on. He’s visceral. He can take care of himself. He probably won’t always draw on his powers.
It’s more wit and intelligence and the political that Merlin relies on rather than magicking him into power because that would be deceitful.
I think of Merlin as a cross between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Donald Rumsfeld, in that there’s this very strong political agenda.
Yes, there will be some dark arts, and we’ll see people changing shape and things disappearing, but over and above all of that, the real potent magic is the birth of the legend.
Об отношениях Мерлина и Артура:читать дальшеFIENNES: We’re bringing them in very young. Their relationship really is from when he was born, and Merlin takes the boy from the Queen, at that time, who’s married to Uther. He installs the baby with a man called Sir Ector, and Sir Ector educates him in a wonderful way and nurtures him without the blood lust of the warlord king that is his father. That’s where their relationship starts. And then, when he’s a young man, Uther is poisoned and that’s the time that Merlin brings him in. Merlin has pretty much designed this. There’s a contract between Merlin and Uther, that he could have the child when he comes of age, and that’s what puts him into power. Their relationship takes many different turns and shifts. He’s a tutor, a father figure and a brutal headmaster. He’s got to give this boy all of the tools to be king in a ruthless world, and he has to do it in a very short space of time, so there’s a lot of cruel to be kind. I also think there’s a great love and respect for what this boy goes through. He sacrifices a lot to take this position of king, and there’s a huge witness of that sacrifice for Merlin. A very special relationship emerges because of that.
Судя по всему, один из главных антагонистов - Король Лот.За пост спасибо
дядя Митя, источник информации и полный текст интервью
тут.