Press Releases

MERLIN MAGIC COMING TO THE MIDLANDS

8 February 2011

Based on the hit BBC One family drama, Merlin: The Dragon Tower will be the first ever experience inspired by the show. Warwick Castle are working closely with Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy, the award winning creators and executive producers at Shine TV Ltd, and FME who have invested in the series and hold the exclusive distribution, home entertainment and licensing rights to the show. Warwick Castle aims to give visitors the chance to experience the magic of Arthurian legend first hand. At the heart of the attraction is a magical mirror, which will allow visitors to interact with The Great Dragon.

Created by Shine TV, Merlin tells the story of the young wizard as he struggles to survive in a kingdom where magic is banned where he must protect Camelot and aide Arthur to fulfil his true destiny. The show stars Colin Morgan as Merlin, Bradley James as Prince Arthur, Anthony Head as King Uther, Katie McGrath as Morgana, Angel Coulby as Gwen, Richard Wilson as Gaius and John Hurt as the voice of the Great Dragon. Series three has seen a host of high-profile guest-stars including: Emilia Fox, Tom Ellis, Miriam Margoyles, Warwick Davies and Pauline Collins.

First broadcast in the UK in 2008, Merlin has now been sold to more than 50 broadcasters in 183 countries including the US on Syfy, MICO in Japan, Network 10 in Australia and RTL in Germany. The last series of the show pulled in regular UK audiences of over seven million viewers per episode on BBC One.

Tim Harrison-Jones, General Manager of Warwick Castle, said; “This will be an exceptional visitor attraction, completely in keeping with our reputation as Britain’s ultimate castle and designed to wow visitors young and old. We are the first attraction globally to have the rights to use the Merlin brand and it will be perfectly executed. We want people to feel as though they are walking into the TV show or stepping back in time to a world of wizardry and wonderment”.

Pindy O’Brien, VP Brand Licensing & Retail, FME said, “As viewing figures continue to grow around the world, fantastic casting and new guest stars week on week, a growing licensing programme and now a fantastic new live event, Merlin has become a truly global brand. We’re delighted to be working with Warwick Castle to give fans a whole new way to engage with Merlin off screen.”

Merlin creators and producers Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy said, “Merlin has attracted a huge following in the UK and now with the help of FME and Warwick Castle, we are thrilled that fans can immerse themselves into this magical enchanted world even further”.

A fourth series of Merlin has been commissioned by the BBC and will go into production in March 2011.

For more information, contact Amy O’Toole or Samantha Hadadi at Willoughby PR on 0121 456 3004 or email amyo@willoughby-pr.co.uk  / samanthah@willoughby-pr.co.uk

More information on Warwick Castle

Merlin The Dragon Tower will open April 2011.Merlin The Dragon Tower marks the last in a long line of investments by Merlin Entertainments Group, owners of Warwick Castle, including the Castle Dungeon. The company also invests £250k a year in restoration projects under its “Committed to Keeping History Alive” programme. Tickets will be available from March at www.warwick-castle.com alternatively, by calling 0871 265 2000. Merlin Entertainments Group is the leading name in location based, branded family entertainment. Now Europe/UK’s No 1 and the world’s number two visitor attraction operator, it aims to deliver unique, memorable and rewarding experiences to its 38.5 million visitors worldwide (2009), through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and employees. Merlin has 62 attractions and 6 hotels/2 holiday villages, in 13 countries, across three continents – Europe, North America and Asia – and employs over 14,000 staff.

More information on Merlin

FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) holds the exclusive distribution, home entertainment and licensing rights to The Adventures of Merlin. FME has sold the series to over 52 broadcasters in more than 183 countries including Syfy in the US, Network Ten in Australia, MICO in Japan and RTL in Germany. FME has also secured licensing deals to produce numerous multi-territory Merlin branded products including a publishing range and a set of toy figurines. FME has invested in the Merlin series alongside UK broadcaster BBC One. The show is produced and created by Shine TV. A fourth series has been commissioned by the BBC and will go into production in March 2011.

More information on FremantleMedia Enterprises and FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world's major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia’s worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes talkbackTHAMES, UFA and Grundy amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating nearly 10,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world’s most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK), Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Neighbours, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife and Hole In The Wall.

More Information Shine Drama

Shine Drama produces and develops highly contemporary and innovative shows for the UK, the US and the international marketplace covering a wide range of genres and broadcasters from HBO, FX to Channel 4 and the BBC. Headed by Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps, some of its most well-known programmes include Merlin, Sugar Rush and Hex.

For further information, please contact Hannah Johnson or Amy O'Toole at Willoughby PR on 0121 456 3004 or email hannahj@willoughby-pr.co.uk / amyo@willoughby-pr.co.uk.

Notes to Editors:

• Warwick Castle is Britain's ultimate castle, situated at Junction 15 of the M40, and is open every day of the year except Christmas Day. Delivering everything you'd expect from a castle - towers, ramparts, knights, princesses, jousting, spectacular birds of prey - it immerses visitors in castle life throughout the ages, from the murky middle ages and the gorgeous Georgians right through to what life was like at the castle in Victorian times.

• All prices for the Castle in 2009 are lower than 2008 - entry to the Castle for a family of four is just £45, with adult entry £16.95, children £10 and over 60's £11.95. Book your ticket in advance online for further reductions - print your own tickets at home and beat the queue. Alternatively, advance bookings can be made by calling 0871 265 2000. Guests are advised to check opening times and the entertainment schedule in advance of their visit.

• New for 2009 is the internationally acclaimed Dungeon, opening Easter 2009.

• Based in London, York, Edinburgh, Hamburg and Amsterdam the Dungeons combine live actors, special effects, hair raising rides and authentic theming to transport visitors back to the most horrible chapters in history. Unrivalled across the globe as the ultimate multisensory experience specialising in scary, historical edutainment, each Dungeon's stories are unique to their home city, bringing it vividly back to life for the most frighteningly fun experience of a lifetime. Please see www.thedungeons.com for more information, opening times and ticket prices.

• Warwick Castle is part of the Merlin Entertainments Group, the leading name in location based, family entertainment. Bigger than Universal and second only to Disney, Merlin Entertainments brings together LEGOLAND, Madame Tussauds, The London Eye, SEA LIFE, Gardaland, and the Dungeons - as well as national brands such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Warwick Castle and Heide Park. All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative - and which have great potential for growth in the future.

• Merlin Entertainments Group has launched its credit crunch-busting Merlin Annual Pass, admitting passholders to all UK Merlin attractions as many times as they like, whenever they like for a full 12 months from the date of purchase. For further information on how to purchase passes and pricing, please visit www.merlineannualpass.co.uk or call 08444 77 44 44.

Return to press releases