The 2000s were a fantastic time for fantasy television, with popular shows like Supernatural, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries dominating the airwaves. Among these, and even alongside some short-lived series like The Dresden Files, was a British show called Merlin that cleverly combined Arthurian legends, magic, and medieval adventures. Many consider it one of the best shows of the decade, and now, 15 years after it finished, all five seasons are available to watch for free on Tubi.
The show Merlin first aired internationally on September 20, 2008, and came to the United States in 2009 on NBC. It was the first British drama shown on a major U.S. network in over 30 years, since The New Avengers appeared on CBS in the 1970s. Merlin‘s second season moved to SyFy, and the series continued on that channel until it ended in 2013.
‘Merlin’ Is a Lighthearted Fantasy Series With Heavy Themes
With a cast including Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, and the late John Hurt, Merlin was a thoroughly enjoyable show because it didn’t try to be overly serious. The fantastic on-screen connection between Morgan, who played Merlin, and Bradley James as Arthur, led fans to playfully ship them as ‘Merthur’.
Despite its comedic moments, the show Merlin is actually a tragic story exploring big ideas like fate, power, and who we are. Merlin, a remarkably powerful wizard, is sent to Camelot as a baby. However, he must hide his abilities because magic is forbidden by the king. This creates a difficult situation, as he’s destined by the dragon Kilgharrah to protect Arthur and help him restore magic to the kingdom. It’s a tough task with a dangerous enemy like Morgana constantly plotting against them.
‘Merlin’ Is a Superhero Show in Disguise
The show Merlin blends ancient myths and legends with familiar superhero themes. Many viewers compare it to a mix of Smallville and the world of King Arthur, and that’s a pretty accurate description. Like Clark Kent, Merlin keeps his abilities a secret, creating suspense in almost every episode as the audience anticipates the reveal of his true nature.
As a film buff, I’ve always seen a lot of similarities between the Merlin series and superhero stories, and it’s not just about the magic. What really makes it feel like a superhero origin story is that Merlin constantly has to be a secret hero. He’s always saving Camelot, but he can’t ever reveal his actions, which means he carries this huge burden all alone. It honestly reminds me a lot of Batman and how he protects Gotham. In a way, Merlin embodies both Superman and Batman – he’s got the power, but also operates in the shadows, though maybe with a bit more stumbling along the way!
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If you haven’t seen the amazing fantasy series Merlin, you can now watch all five seasons for free on Tubi!
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2026-02-14 23:52