Camelot (TV series)
A ten-episode Starz series based on Arthurian legend.
Camelot is a fantasy historical drama television series that aired on Starz, created by Michael Hirst. It was a co-production between Ireland, Canada, and the United Kingdom, drawing on the Arthurian legend, with a main cast including Joseph Fiennes, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Eva Green. The show first appeared on Starz in the United States on 25 February 2011, when a special full-length preview of the pilot episode was shown. Its official premiere followed on 1 April 2011, and the series ended on 10 June 2011, after ten episodes. The debut drew strong ratings. On 30 June 2011, Starz announced it would not order more episodes, citing low ratings and high production costs as the main reason.
The plot is set in the late 5th century, several decades after Roman rule ended in Britain. Following King Uther’s sudden death, chaos threatens the land. The sorcerer Merlin, foreseeing a dark future, installs the young and impulsive Arthur—Uther’s unknown son and heir, raised as a commoner—as the new king. Merlin and Arthur settle in Castle Camelot with allies including Arthur’s biological mother Igraine, his foster brother Kay, and loyal warriors Leontes, Gawain, Ulfius, and Brastias. From Camelot, Arthur strives to build a peaceful, better Britain. Meanwhile, Arthur’s cold and ambitious half-sister Morgan plots to seize the crown. Banished by her father Uther—who had her mother killed to put Arthur’s mother on the throne—Morgan caused Uther’s death and seeks to rule in his place. With the help of her loyal maid Vivian and the devious nun Sybil, she resides in Uther’s old castle, Castle Pendragon, scheming against Arthur.
The main cast includes Joseph Fiennes as Merlin, the creator and guardian of the Camelot legend, who believes in Arthur more than Arthur believes in himself and must control his dark powers. Jamie Campbell Bower plays King Arthur, a carefree young man thrust into kingship, pursuing justice and freedom amid corruption. Eva Green portrays Morgan Pendragon, Uther’s beautiful and ruthless daughter, who becomes the main antagonist by embracing dark forces to threaten Camelot. Tamsin Egerton is Guinevere, an ambitious woman who supports Arthur despite being married to Leontes.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Historical drama / Sword and sorcery
- Creator
- Michael Hirst / Chris Chibnall
- Starring
- Joseph Fiennes / Jamie Campbell Bower / Tamsin Egerton / Claire Forlani / Peter Mooney / Philip Winchester / Eva Green / Chipo Chung / Clive Standen / Sinéad Cusack
- Composer
- Mychael Danna / Jeff Danna
- Country
- Ireland / Canada
- Language
- English
- Num Seasons
- 1
- Num Episodes
- 10
- Executive Producer
- Morgan O'Sullivan / Douglas Rae / Graham King / Tim Headington / Craig Cegielski / Anne Thomopoulos / James Flynn / John Weber / Fred Fuchs / Michael Hirst / Chris Chibnall
- Location
- County Wicklow, Ireland
- Cinematography
- Joel Ransom
- Editor
- Sidney Wolinsky / Stephen O'Connell / Teresa De Luca / Michele Conroy / Wendy Hallam Martin
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Set in the late 5th century, Britain has been free of Roman rule for several decades. After King Uther's sudden death, the sorcerer Merlin installs the young and impetuous Arthur, Uther's unknown son and heir raised as a commoner, as the new king. Merlin and Arthur establish themselves in Castle Camelot with allies including Arthur's biological mother Igraine, his foster brother Kay, and loyal warriors Leontes, Gawain, Ulfius, and Brastias. Arthur attempts to build a new and better Britain where people can live in peace.
Meanwhile, Arthur's cold and ambitious half-sister Morgan plots to take the crown. Banished by her father Uther, who was responsible for her mother's murder, Morgan is responsible for Uther's death and wants to rule as his successor. Aided by her loyal maid Vivian and the devious nun Sybil, Morgan schemes from Castle Pendragon. The series debuted to strong ratings and earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music. On 30 June 2011, Starz announced it would not order additional episodes, citing scheduling conflicts with cast members including Fiennes, Campbell Bower, and Green.
Reader's Guide
Camelot was the first series greenlit by Starz under CEO Chris Albrecht, who described the story as mythology and an idea of hope. The series was the first project for GK-TV, a television division of GK Films. Chris Chibnall, known for Life on Mars and Torchwood, served as showrunner and head writer, stating that every era needs its own version of Camelot and that this version would include politics and romance in an adult drama. The series was an Irish-Canadian co-production filmed at Ardmore Studios in Ireland with post-production in Toronto, costing an estimated $7 million per episode. It aired on Channel 4 in the UK, RTÉ in Ireland, CBC in Canada, and other networks internationally. Despite strong initial ratings and an Emmy nomination, the series was not renewed after one season due to cast scheduling conflicts.
Did You Know?
- The series cost an estimated $7 million per episode.
- The series was not renewed due to scheduling conflicts with cast members Joseph Fiennes, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Eva Green.
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