Thanks to its engaging premise, charming cast, and timeless narrative, Merlin remains as popular as ever, and new generations continue to discover it on Netflix.
Throughout most of its five-season run, Merlin's success.
Morgause
Morgause arrives in season 2 as a mysterious and powerful figure who tries to tell Arthur the truth about his father. She's a high priestess of the old religion and arguably the most powerful character in the show, behind only Morgana and Merlin.
Morgause's sole purpose is to put Morgana on Camelot's throne. She wants the old ways back, so she can practice magic freely and is willing to do everything in her power to do it. Morgause cares dearly for Morgana and even sacrifices her life for her sister. She's an intriguing character who many fans wish would've appeared more.
Uther
The King of Camelot is a divisive character. He's cruel, selfish, and bigoted, but he also has a softer side reserved for those closest to him, mainly Arthur and Morgana. He loves both his children yet is incapable of putting them before himself or his Kingdom.
Uther does several questionable things during his time in Merlin, yet fans can't seem to hate him. Credit needs to go to the writers for creating a complex and engaging villain and to Anthony Head for bringing him to life in such a compelling way.
Leon, Percival, & Elyan
The Knights of the Round Table get some of the funniest moments in the show. They basically act like Merlin's big brothers, teasing him but still appreciating and iring everything he does for them. Although Leon is a part of the show since season 2, the Knights don't come together until season 3.
From season 4 onward, Leon, Percival, and Elyan become integral to Arthur's adventures. They each get their time to shine, developing their own unique relationship with their King and his infallible servant. By the show's end, they are not only a vital part of the story but three fan-favorites who the audience loved to see in action.
Lancelot
To this day, fans still mourn the fate of the irable and chivalrous Sir Lancelot. He was one of Merlin's earliest and most loyal friends and one of the few people who knew his secret. Lancelot and Guinevere's epic love story receives a much tamer adaptation in Merlin, but he remains Camelot's most valorous knight.
In season 4, the character memorably sacrifices himself for the good of the kingdom, and his loss hits Merlin and Arthur pretty hard. Lancelot proves himself time and again, and while he only appears a handful of times, he certainly leaves an indelible mark in the show.
Gaius
Gaius is Merlin's mentor, caretaker, and father figure. He is a wise and experienced man who has a vast knowledge of magic and the old religion and serves as Camelot's Court Physician. He can also perform some magic, but his power is limited and situational. Gaius is always there for Merlin, helping keep his magic a secret and guiding him every step of the way.
At times, Gaius can seem a bit of an exposition tool. However, and thanks to Richard Wilson's honest performance, the character rises above such limitations to become the show's heart.
Gwaine
Gwaine is more prominent than any other Knight of the Round Table. Thanks to his natural charisma and kind, spunky spirit, he quickly becomes one of Merlin's closest allies. Gwaine soon becomes one of Arthur's most trusted knights and a brave defender of Camelot.
Gwaine, loveable oddball that he is, makes it to the show's ending, being a key participant in the climactic Battle of Camlann. Later, in one of the show's cruelest twists, he gets tortured by Morgana and dies in Percival's arms. The character is one of the show's most popular, and with good reason.
Guinevere
A central part of any Arthurian adaptation, Guinevere gets an appropriate adaptation in the series. She's not a helpless damsel in distress but instead a spirited and resourceful servant and Morgana's handmaiden. Guinevere's love story with Arthur is a central part of the show, and the two finally get together during season four.
Guinevere eventually marries Arthur and becomes Queen of Camelot. Fans hardly get to see her in this new role because she spends part of season 5 under Morgana's spell. After Arthur dies in the show's final episode, Gwen ascends to the throne of Camelot and presumably rules until her death.
Morgana
Morgana Pendragon is one of the show's most complicated and fascinating characters. She goes from sheltered and gentle Lady to despotic and merciless priestess, hellbent on killing Arthur and taking over Camelot. Her journey from hero to villain is arguably Merlin's most compelling plotline and one of the pillars upon which the show stands.
Fans get to fall in love with her during the first two seasons, only to see her descent into madness starting with season 3. In the end, Morgana is a tragic figure because her ultimate fate was absolutely avoidable, no matter what Kilgarrah might say.
Arthur
As one of the two central figures of the show, Arthur appears in every episode and is part of every crucial storyline. He begins the show as the immature, vain, and somewhat vacuous heir to Camelot's throne and ends it as an experienced, selfless, merciful King who gives his life for the good of his people.
Arthur's relationship with Merlin is the show's bread and butter. And thanks to the electric chemistry between Bradley James and Colin Morgan, Merlin and Arthur quickly became a fan-favorite pairing. Many fans ship them together, while others insist their bond is that of brothers. In the end, it doesn't matter because there's clearly love between the two. Whether it's romantic or fraternal is up to each fan.
Merlin
There's no show without Merlin. Colin Morgan's bright, irresistible depiction successfully reinvented a centuries-old character and reintroduced it to modern audiences. Merlin is clumsy but hard-working, restless but dedicated, determined but comionate. He is the bravest of them all, constantly going out of his way to protect his King and friend.
Despite his careless and slightly foolish persona, Merlin holds power like no other. Witty, sassy, and outspoken to a fault, he serves as comic relief while still anchoring the show. He endures more than any other character, putting himself at risk or giving up the things he wanted, at times in vain. Still, Merlin stays positive and determined, knowing that his place and duty are to devote his life to the Once and Future King.