The ladies of Camelot, Angel Coulby and Katie McGrath, took some time out of their hectic schedules to talk exclusively about their roles in the British TV series Merlin to FGT staffwriter Alan Kelly.
Angel talks about Guinevere becoming more assertive and the return of Lancelot, while Katie McGrath couldn’t be more pleased with her character’s transition from utterly enchanting to ruthlessly calculated (albeit still enchanting) seer Morgana in the fantasy drama. The popular show returned earlier this month for a third run on BBC One (rerun on the SyFy Channel in the United States); Katie and Angel where kind enough to answers some questions about why the show appeals to different generations, how much fun it is for Katie to play a bad-ass, whether Arthur and Gwen’s relationship will develop this season, if the sorceress Morgeuse can really be trusted and what femme fatales Katie channels when playing Morgana. And they both reveal which character they’d like to see return to Camelot.
FGT: Morgana is back and badder than ever! In the first episode we discover Morgana is no longer Uther’s conflicted ward but a ruthless, murderous sorceress who will stop at nothing to bring Camelot to its knees. Are you enjoying exploring this side of the character?
Katie McGrath: Absolutely, it’s such a contrast to where she was last year. Morgana was so unsure and afraid of her powers and what it would mean for her if anybody discovered that she had them. This year she has embraced who she really is and is no longer the same person. It’s amazing to be able to play such a self-assured and powerful woman. It’s like playing a whole new character. A bad-ass one! At the same time. Because of her duplicity this season, I still get to show the old Morgana, the sweet and kind loving ward so an actress I'm getting the best of both worlds.
FGT: Towards the end of season two there where further developments in Guinevere’s relationship with Arthur. Will this season explore that relationship in more depth?
Angel Coulby: Yes. You will see Gwen and Arthur's feelings for each other tested in this series. The 'relationship' is still a secret at first but due to the strength of their feelings it's becoming more and more difficult to keep it that way
FGT: Morgana has been missing for an entire year; will we get to see what happened during that year this season
KM: I think as the season goes on, it will become clear what has happened to Morgana. The writers have been very clever with the scripts, and I think the way Morgana's character begins to unfold throughout season 3, you are left with no doubt as to what happened while she was away
FGT: Will Guinevere’s loyalty be tested. She was Morgana’s closest friend. After everything Uther has done – executing her father – would it be possible she might ally herself with Morgana against Uther?
AC: You'll have to wait to see what happens there. You definitely see a change in the dynamic between Morgana and Gwen.
FGT: I often feel Uther is the real villain of the show. His persecution of those who practice magic (regardless of whether their intentions are benign or not) is what has fuelled Morgana’s rage. Do you think the writers are addressing larger cultural issues – the persecution of the ‘other’ in society?
KM: Merlin is a show that works on many levels, I think that's one of the reasons that it has been such a success, the idea that children, teenagers and adults can all watch it, enjoy it but get something different out of it. On the surface the show is often about one thing but scratch a little deeper and you can begin to see much more complex threads. I have never asked the writers specifically, but I personally wouldn't be surprised if such themes were something that they had consciously addressed in the show. I think the very fact that you have asked the question proves that they do.
FGT: Lancelot returns this year, will this create conflict between Arthur and Gwen?
AC: As we know Lancelot poses a threat to Gwen and Arthur's relationship whenever he turns up, but he is a noble man and has not come back in order to come between Arthur and Gwen… this time at least.
FGT: Can Morgana really trust Morgause? Emilia Fox gave a very cold-blooded performance in the season opener. Is she using Morgana or does she genuinely care for her?
KM: Without a shadow of doubt I believe that Morgause truly cares for Morgana as much as Morgana cares for her. Does that mean that Morgause does not use her for her own ends? Not necessarily, in this case the two are not mutually exclusive!
FGT: What changes are in store for your character this year?
AC: Gwen becomes stronger and stronger each series. She's much more grown up and not afraid to answer back on occasion-, which I was pleased to see in the writing!
FGT: This series promises to be darker in tone, but will there still be that balance of the tongue-in-cheek with the darker episodes?
KM: Like I said earlier Merlin is a show that works on many levels and appeals to a very wide audience. One of the ways that it does that is by having a variety of episodes. While this season is definitely darker in tone, there are still the tongue in check, laugh out loud episodes that Merlin does so well. The episode "Goblins Gold" is a very good example of that.
FGT: Who were some of your favourite guest stars to work with?
AC: I love working with Rupert Young (Sir Leon) because he cracks me up and is generally a legend, as well as being a great actor. But it's always exciting having new characters coming onto the show.
FGT: What other famous small (or big) screen uber-vixens do you channel when playing Morgana? (if any at all)
KM: I always liked Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty. She was beautiful and terrible and powerful. If you're gonna play a bad girl, why wouldn't you want her to be just like that? In all seriousness though, I do like the idea of a proper fairy tale villain. If you read some of the classic fairy tales, like the Brothers Grimm, you see just how dark and rich an evil character can be. It showed me not only how vast the scope was for playing the new Morgana but also how much fun it could be. But then, I always did love a bad girl...
FGT: Are there any past characters you’d like to see return and why?
KM: Knight William from Episode 2, Season 2, the guy who played him Alex Price was hilarious and did a brilliant job. I also think his return to Camelot would actually make for a very funny story. Who knows? Maybe in the future? Or maybe all the old Merlin bad guys could come back and join together under the great and terrible leadership of ME! Now, that’s a great story, I personally think Morgana would make a wonderful Queen...
AC: He was hilarious both on screen and off! I'd like to have as many funny people around as possible!
