Prime has a new fantasy series, The Rise of Merlin, based on Stephen Lawhead’s Arthurian novels. As someone who has read the books, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
I have mixed feelings about Lawhead’s trilogy. The first two books are strong, offering an interesting take on the Arthurian legend that blends history, mythology and spirituality in a way that feels distinctive. However, I’ve always felt the final book was a disappointment. It seemed rushed, as though the story was racing towards the finish line rather than letting events unfold naturally. It didn’t ruin the series, but it certainly took some of the shine off what had come before.
Perhaps because of that, Bernard Cornwell’s The Warlord Chronicles has always been my favourite retelling of the Arthurian legend. For me, it’s superior in almost every respect. The characters feel more authentic, the Britain of the period is vividly realised, and Arthur himself is portrayed as a believable war leader rather than a mythical king. Cornwell strikes the perfect balance between history and legend, creating what I still consider the definitive Arthurian trilogy.
Which makes it all the more frustrating that when The Warlord Chronicles was adapted for television, it was such a disappointment. I rarely give up on a series after a single episode—I usually believe every show deserves a fair chance to find its feet—but this one completely failed to capture the spirit of the novels. It lacked the atmosphere, the depth and the compelling characters that made the books so memorable. I never made it past episode one.
That brings me back to The Rise of Merlin. While it isn’t going to challenge the likes of Game of Thrones or, for me, the classic Robin of Sherwood, it’s actually… rather good.
I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, the story is condensed, as adaptations often have to be, and inevitably some detail is lost. But it captures the essence of Lawhead’s work far better than I expected. The performances are solid, the pacing works well enough, and the world feels believable. More importantly, it remembers that Arthurian stories should have a sense of mystery and wonder alongside the political intrigue.
So I’m left in the slightly odd position of being mildly annoyed that the weaker book series has received the stronger television adaptation. Cornwell’s novels deserved this level of care and attention, yet it’s Lawhead’s work that seems to have benefited from it.
Still, I’m enjoying it more than I expected. In summary, mediocre but watchable. For me, it is the excitement of seeing people and parts of legend that don’t often get shown on mainstream media. Cernunnos, for example – Taliesin for another!
I’ll definitely be sticking with it to see where it goes.
Scott Andrew Bailey - Author 