GG♥SF ♥ The MCM London Comic Con

It’s that time of year again and the guest list at this month’s MCM London Comic Con is getting us all excitable.

Tom Hopper (Sir Percival) and Alexander Vlahos (Mordred), stars of hit BBC fantasy series Merlin join the long list of special guests this month.

The line-up also includes Dougray Scott (Hemlock Grove), Andrew Lee Potts and Hannah Spearritt (Primeval), Camilla Luddington (True Blood) plus the cast and crew from Once Upon a Time, Teen Wolf, NCIS: Los Angeles and Steven Spielberg's Fallen Skies. Not forgetting Jason Flemyng (X-Men: First Class, Kick-Ass, From Hell).

And last but by no means least, Edgar Wright will be popping along! (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Spaced, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World). We're keeping our fingers crossed that we'll get the chance to spend some time with him and ask him all about the third installment in the Cornetto Trilogy, The World’s End (UK release date 19 July).

It’s not too late to buy tickets.

MCM London Comic Con takes place at ExCel London on 24-26 May.

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Merlin's Morgan Triumphs At NTAs

We've long waxed lyrical about what a flipping fabulous actor Colin Morgan is, so it was incredibly gratifying to see him pick up a gong at last night's National Television Awards.

The actor beat the likes of Matt Smith and Benedict Cumberbatch to triumph in the Drama Performance: Male category.

Morgan thanked fans for their "fantastic support", adding: "It's been a five year journey for ourselves, so it's a huge honour to end on a high after that and get the recognition from the fans."

While he wasn't positive about the prospects of a Merlin reunion, he was enthusiastic about remaining in touch with his fellow cast members, telling reporters: "I don't think that's going to happen. But who knows - let's see what happens when the future comes. We're definitely going to stay friends. We just made loads of friends on the show - that's the important thing, I think."

Morgan's Merlin co-stars, meanwhile, took to Twitter to congratulate their buddy. Aww.
"Don't know if it was obvious by the way I kept hitting him, but was and still am, beaming with pride for NTA 'Best Actor' Colin Morgan," quipped Bradley James.

Rupert Young, who played Sir Leon, also called Morgan "a legend and a worthy winner", while Alexander Vlahos (Mordred) described his co-star as "magnificent".

"Colin Morgan deserved that so much," wrote Vlahos. "Very fortunate to call him a friend and work alongside him."

The Irish actor will appear opposite Gabriel Byrne in forthcoming BBC One detective serial Quirke later in 2013.

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Merlin Exclusive: GG♥SF Interview Bradley James (Aeeee!)

Bradley James stars as Arthur Pendragon in BBC One’s Merlin

We have a wish list of celebs and noted folk we’d like to interview at GG♥SF Towers. It includes the great and good of TV and film; from Joss Whedon to Peter Jackson and Benedict Cumberbatch – all for varying reasons you’ll understand. And also positioned high on that reverent list would be the King of all Kings - Bradley James, aka the lordly King, and quite frankly delectable Arthur Pendragon from the Beeb's hit show, 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!".

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 21^st January 2013 on Fremantle Media Enterprises. You can order it now on Amazon.

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Merlin's End: The Stars Speak

GG♥SF awoke to sad news this morning, as the BBC revealed that one of our favourite fantasy shows is set to come to an end after its current series, to be replaced by an "ambitious" new drama in 2013.

The show will end, not with a whimper, but with a bang in a two-part special at the end of the year.

Co-creators and executive producers Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy confirmed the news, saying: "This is the series where the storylines truly reach their apex.

"We always felt the story of the legend was best told across five series, leading to a spectacular finale that draws on the best known elements of this much-loved story and brings to a conclusion the battle for Camelot.

"We'd like to thank the amazing cast and crew for their professionalism and dedication, the BBC, FME and all of our partners globally for their incredible support and encouragement across the last five series. But chiefly, our thanks go to Merlin's remarkable and loyal audience around the world for their enthusiasm for the characters and Camelot universe."

Show star Colin Morgan (Merlin), meanwhile, thanked fans for supporting the show to the end: "From the beginning, this was always going to be a five-year journey that we embarked on, and I think the show has run its natural course.

"The show has grown and grown each year and now we've arrived at its strongest point and we've achieved what we set out to do... I know this is the end, and I know this is goodbye, but thank you for being there on the journey with us because it has been a lot of fun!"

The delicious Anthony Head (Uther) added: "Hats off to Julian and Johnny, the producers, for sticking to their guns with the five-season story arc of Merlin. It would have been too easy to give in to demand and stretch the show on beyond their original plan because of its incredible success. Instead, Merlin finishes at the height of its success and will, therefore, live on in people's memory. That's certainly what happened with Buffy - and it really doesn't happen that often.

"As for myself, I really miss working with such a talented and warm-hearted bunch of people - cast, crew, production. Everyone in London, Wales and France made the Merlin experience a very, very special one. Thank you all."

And the even deliciouser Bradley James (Arthur) had this to say: "The Merlin years have provided me with fond memories, great experiences and beloved friends, and all the while we were supported by a devoted fan base who made the show a unique, surreal and special experience.

"My words won't do justice to the honour of being King Arthur, so I shall just say that it has been an exceptional one, and that knowing the show has been a part of so many people's lives has been humbling."

Katie McGrath (Morgana), meanwhile, promised a "breathtaking finale", adding that she thought it was the right time to draw the series to a close: "I have always said the success of the show has stemmed from our audience being able to relate to the characters on different levels - being based on the universally-loved Arthurian legend is only a tiny part of its success - it's a story about acceptance and growing up," she said.

"The breathtaking finale of this series leaves you with no doubt that characters have been on their journeys and had their stories told - it's completely the right time to draw our telling of the story to a close."

Angel Coulby (Guinevere) echoed her co-stars' sentiments: "It has been a very special and memorable five years making Merlin. I feel extremely proud to have been part of such a brilliant show and such a great team.

"I think we've told the story we set out to tell, which ends with the fantastic two-part finale, by the way! I believe the key to any successful show is making sure you leave people wanting more!"

And Richard Wilson (Gaius) was gracious as ever: "Firstly I would like to say that I'm extremely sad that Merlin has come to an end.

"Speaking as Gaius, I feel I have mentored the young wizard as far as I can - he is much smarter and greater than me now and I am simply exhausted!"

As sad as we are, we've got to admit it's refreshing to see a series end as it was always planned to, rather than being dragged on for the sake of popularity and profit (*cough* Lost *cough*).

By golly we'll miss those knights*, though.

So all that remains to do, it seems, is start thinking about how the drama will come to a close. We suspect Arthur might find out about Merlin's magic at some point soon…

Merlin's final series is currently airing on BBC One on Saturdays.

*As we've only a few weeks left to legitimately post gratuitous shirtless images of Camelot's finest, here's a little something to help you cope with the news…

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