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| Bradley James stars as Arthur Pendragon in BBC One’s Merlin |
And now that Merlin is sadly on the countdown to its last, proper ever, final episode (oh, the humanity!), we’ve finally been granted our wish. GG♥SF have been rewarded with 10 whole minutes to talk shop with Camelot’s finest. We tried our best to coax out spoilers and hints about the final episodes, but sadly Bradley clearly prescribes to that tricksy old adage - loose lips sink ships.
However, we managed to glean some fascinating insights on his time on the show, Merlin DVD commentaries and er, sexual objectification... (okay, so we were discussing the Shirtless Arthur hashtag game we created on Twitter). We’re journalistic hard hitters at GG♥SF.
GG♥SF: Hi Bradley. Obviously we’re gutted at the fact this is the final season of Merlin. It’s been fantastic series and you’re going out on a show high.
Bradley James: Thank you very much!
GG♥SF: We don’t know if it’s wishful thinking on the part of the fans or not, but rumours are still persisting about a spin-off movie. Now the TV series is ending, do you know if anything is in the works?
Bradley James: I have heard lots of chat about the movie. I would say that it would not be happening in the near future if it were to include myself. But who knows – if the script was amazing then I’d be there. But then I’d find it difficult not to be interested.
GG♥SF: We’d be there with bells on. So go on – give us a sneak peek into the two episode finale – any juicy morsels for us to rabidly devour?
Bradley James: (Mock outrage) No I couldn’t possibly say! There’s only four episodes left, what are you talking about? That’s the whole point about watching it!
GG♥SF: Oh please! Not even a little hint?
Bradley James: All I can say is that I’m very happy with how we have finished the show and I’m excited with how we finished the show. I’m very satisfied. Actually I haven’t seen it yet, but I am going to assume that what we have read and what we have filmed has turned out to be very good.
GG♥SF: So you haven’t watched the final episodes yet?
Bradley James: I watch it at the same time as everyone else. I’ve become a fan of the show when it comes out because I watch it at the same time pretty much as everyone else at home.
GG♥SF: That’s interesting. (Slightly breathless) Do you watch it alongside Twitter too, because there’s a Shirtless Arthur hashtag doing the rounds.
Bradley James: Sorry, what? Shirtless Arthur? What’s that?
GG♥SF: (Somewhat sheepishly) It’s where eagle eyed fans tweet the first sighting of you without your top on…
Bradley James: (Much laughter) How degrading!
GG♥SF: Oh dear, do you feel terribly objectified?
Bradley James: (Still laughing) Yes! Bloody perverts!
GG♥SF: Sorry, we’re getting a little side-tracked - back to the show. What will be the thing you miss most about working on Merlin?
Bradley James: The cast and crew. There was a great family aspect to doing the show as the crew remained very similar throughout the years we were doing the show and the cast were very close. The cast and crew became very close in fact. So there will be real characters within the crew and cast that you’re used to seeing on a day to day basis that you’ll miss.
GG♥SF: (Sounding a bit gushy) Aw. That’s very sweet!
Bradley James: To be honest with you though, at the time, day-to-day, you take them for granted. It takes you being taken away from that atmosphere for you to appreciate the situation. It’s a good thing that we’ve been separated because we can now really appreciate each other.
GG♥SF: Just like a family then! Okay, so um, you always appear to have someone dressing you in your scenes. Does it really take that long to get (GG♥SF gets a bit breathless) tussled up in all that armour and stuff?
Bradley James: (Somewhat bewildered) Er, um, what a question! It becomes a blur in the morning – I’m only partially conscious at that time of the day. You get picked up at half five, six o’clock. Despite the fact you are walking around and talking to people, you’re not really awake. And then I’m awake on set, with my costume on, about ready to go at half seven in the morning. So I would say it takes just about an hour of faffing about before we’re ready to film. But it doesn’t take long to get the armour on though.
GG♥SF: We have a quick reader question to squeeze in. This is from Anna K: Will you be doing a season five Merlin commentary on the DVD?
Bradley James: Do you know what, I read that this morning and tweeted a response! I don’t tweet very often but I felt quite passionate about this because they missed me out of the DVD commentaries and I feel that the commentaries have been lacking for missing me out! I’d like to do one with the Knights. It’s not something we’ve done yet, so I hope the powers that be see sense and go 'yes, we should get Bradley and Rupert, Tom, Eion and everyone'. If we could get that on the go, I’d be very happy to do that.
GG♥SF: We’ll petition the BBC!
Bradley James: (To lovely PR lady Jess) Actually, who do I talk to about this? I’m going to find out and pester them over this. (Back to GG♥SF) Get the girls to pester the official person will you?
GG♥SF: We’re on it! Lastly, what’s next for you Bradley?
Bradley James: (After much thought) You will see me in the shops trying to buy Christmas presents. I really need to buy a present for my mum.
And that’s it. That’s our time with Bradley James over. If possible, we fancy him even more.
The final series of Merlin reaches its season and show climax with a special two-part finale airing over Christmas. And although we couldn’t get any top secret intel from Bradley, we hope his character finally discovers Merlin’s true identity and worth (side note: Colin Morgan has acted his wee socks off this season – hats off to you, Sir). Either way, we’re really going to miss Bradley and the gang.
All together now: "For Camelot!".
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| Gratuitous photo alert – sorry, we can’t help ourselves. Merlin Series 5, part 1 (episodes 1-6) is released on DVD on 26th November 2012. Series 5, part 2 and the Complete Series 5 DVD / Blu-Ray are released on 21st January 2013 on Fremantle Media Enterprises. You can order it now on Amazon. |
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