American networks have made a habit of swiping and remaking British programs, but the latest import from across the pond will be 100 percent authentic. Merlin (premieres Sunday, 8 pm/ET, NBC), loosely based on the Arthurian legends of the famed sorcerer, arrives stateside as the first British drama to air on a U.S. network — un-retouched, un-recast — since The New Avengers more than 30 years ago.
“I think we probably played a fast one on NBC!” star Bradley James tells TVGuide.com. “It’s probably quite difficult to recast this one and remake it in an American way. Hopefully it goes over well and it will be worth NBC’s while. We’ll keep our fingers crossed.”
James plays Prince Arthur on the fantasy, sword-fighting series. No, that’s not a typo. It’s Prince Arthur, not King.
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