Series synopsis
The Legend of King Arthur is a British action & adventure sci-fi & fantasy drama television series that premiered on BBC One on October 7, 1979. It ended on November 25, 1979. It was created by Andrew Davies.
Dark Ages wizard Merlin, weary of the barbarism around him, creates a new order of enlightenment and justice with a youthful Arthur at its head. Merlin gifts Arthur with the magic legendary sword Excalibur to help him defeat the nobles who oppose his rule. But Arthur must also beware his half-sister Morgan, a sorceress who has sworn to kill him to avenge her father's death. As Morgan intensifies her plans for revenge, she uses magic to draw Lancelot and Guinevere into a passionate affair. Howeve ...
Premise
Dark Ages wizard Merlin, weary of the barbarism around him, creates a new order of enlightenment and justice with a youthful Arthur at its head. Merlin gifts Arthur with the magic legendary sword Excalibur to help him defeat the nobles who oppose his rule. But Arthur must also beware his half-sister Morgan, a sorceress who has sworn to kill him to avenge her father's death. As Morgan intensifies her plans for revenge, she uses magic to draw Lancelot and Guinevere into a passionate affair. However, it is the still more traitorous Mordred who will ultimately determine the fate of Arthur's rule.
Premise: Andrew Davies' sumptuous adaptation of the timeless saga
Cast and characters
Guest cast
- Robert Eddison as Merlin
- Anthony Dutton as Accolon
- Brian Coburn as King Uther Pendragon
- Anne Kidd as Igraine
- William Morgan Sheppard as Gorlois
- Richard Beale as Sir Ector
- Martin Chamberlain as Sir Kay
- Jon Croft as Lot
- Richard Austin as Young Arthur
- Patsy Kensit as Young Morgan
- Hilary Mason as Midwife
- Terence Soall as Bard
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 8 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 8 | October 7, 1979 | November 25, 1979 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Part One When King Uther Pendragon sets his sights on Gorlois' lovely wife Igraine, little does he realise the chain of events he will set in motion. The resulting battle sees Uther claim Igraine for his wife and fathers a son with her who will one day become a legendary ruler. But Gorlois' young daughter Morgan vows revenge on her father's murderer and enlists an unwitting Merlin to help her develop magical powers. |
October 7, 1979 |
| 2 |
Part Two Many years have passed since Arthur discovered his true inheritance and, after much fighting, most of England now accept him as their new King. But one knight, Accolon, refuses to recognise him as monarch due to the deaths of his brothers at Arthur's hand and vows revenge. And he is not the only one who seeks to harm him, but Arthur knows little of this when he encounters his half sister Morgan le Fey in the woods for the first time, unaware of her true nature. Meanwhile, Arthur becomes transfixed with Guinevere, the daughter of Leodograunce, but little realises what comes when he sends Lancelot to fetch her to attend his court in view of potentially marrying her. |
October 14, 1979 |
| 3 |
Part Three With Merlin now departed, Morgan arrives in Camelot with her nephews Agravain and Mordred to offer her services to the King. Meanwhile, Sir Lancelot has been avoiding Guinevere due to his feelings for her, but finds an opportunity to distance himself from her when old King Pelles comes to ask for their help. He has been usurped by his nephew, while his daughter Elaine has been bewitched and kept prisoner in a tower guarded by a serpent. |
October 21, 1979 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC One |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 7, 1979 |
| Last aired | November 25, 1979 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |