The King is Dead? Not Anymore.
Anthony Head Returns to MERLIN
Arthur summons Uther from beyond
in all-new episode Jan. 18 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Syfy
Death is often just a temporary state in the magical world of MERLIN.
Such is the case when Anthony Head makes a dramatic, one-episode
return to the popular Syfy series this Friday, Jan. 18 at 10:00 p.m.
ET/PT in an all-new episode entitled “The Death Song of Uther
Pendragon.”
Photo Credit: © Shine Ltd. & FremantleMedia Enterprises.
When a stranger gives Arthur (Bradley James) the power to summon the
dead, the King finds himself torn between head and heart. Unable to
resist temptation, he seizes the chance to speak to the person he
misses most: his father, Uther (Anthony Head). But the spirit world is
a dark and dangerous place – for little does Arthur realize that his
decision comes at a terrible price. Against all odds, Merlin must put
right Arthur's mistake before Camelot and everything they have built
is destroyed forever.
Photo Credit: © Shine Ltd. & FremantleMedia Enterprises.
Over the first three-plus seasons of MERLIN, James and Head developed
a strong bond not unlike their on-screen father-son relationship.
James was particularly pleased to have Head back on set for this
special episode.
“It was really nice to have Tony back for a bit,” James explained. “I
think it seemed a bit weird for him, but he fit back in, and the
father-son dynamic went right back. It was good to see him, good to
work with him again. I know he missed people, and I think the novelty
of coming back was something he was pleased to do.”
As relatively young actors when the series began, James and the rest
of the core MERLIN cast were perfectly balanced with the veteran
presence of the savvy and sage Head and Richard Wilson, who plays
Gaius. James said the two seasoned actors were always present and
available to James and his castmates.
Photo Credit: © Shine Ltd. & FremantleMedia Enterprises.
“Tony didn’t have quite enough time during filming the episode to
emanate any pearls of wisdom, but that’s the beauty of Tony and
Richard – they would never force their words of wisdom on you,”
recalls James. “Everybody’s got advice, everybody’s got opinions, and
I think it’s a very respectable trait to only use them in necessary
moments. Anthony and Richard are very experienced, especially from a
professional, industry point of view, and they half-said things that
helped me rather than going blindly into that abyss.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone into a situation and
thought, ‘Ah, this is what Anthony and Richard were talking about.’
They are great resources, and I appreciate them both.”
MERLIN fans will rekindle their own relationship with Anthony Head
when “The Death Song of Uther Pendragon” debuts Friday, Jan. 18, at 10
p.m. ET/PT, only on Syfy.
