Adviser to the King or Traitor to the Realm?

Nathaniel Parker Brings Agravaine to Camelot as

Newest Member of MERLIN Cast

MERLIN season premiere scores solid ratings for Syfy;

epic conclusion of two-part season opener airs Friday, Jan. 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

Just as one mysterious character departs, another enters as MERLIN welcomes its newest addition – Agravaine, chief adviser to the King. Played by acclaimed actor Nathaniel Parker, the character provides yet another potential snake in Camelot’s grass for Arthur and Merlin as they fend off Morgana’s attack in the epic conclusion of the season-opening episode entitled “The Darkest Hour, Part 2.” The episode premieres this Friday, January 6 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Syfy.

In “The Darkest Hour, Part 2” the kingdom of Camelot is on the brink of collapse as Lancelot (Santiago Cabrera) races back to Camelot with the dying Merlin, the Dorocha continue their siege on the kingdom, Arthur considers an unthinkable sacrifice … and Morgana waits to strike.

In light of Uther’s dwindling power, a new leader has arrived in Camelot – Agravaine, uncle to Prince Arthur. While positioning himself as mentor and guide to Arthur as he readies for the crown, the devious Agravaine’s allegiances actually lie with Morgana. As the new patriarchal figure in the kingdom, Agravaine figures intricately in Morgana’s plan to return to Camelot and assume the throne.

This isn’t the first man of mystery played by Parker, who is best known in the United States for his roles in films like Stardust and The Haunted Mansion. Throughout the UK and much of the rest of the world, Parker is highly regarded for his title role in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.

Parker, an avid MERLIN fan even before being cast (he watches regularly with his daughters), admits that he does relish playing the villain.

“Agravaine is pretty much a baddy – you know that within the first 20 minutes of the first episode – and yes, I do enjoy playing baddies,” Parker says. “We have changed the mythology a bit, but the bottom line is that Agravaine has come to help advise Arthur, and that isn’t going to be a good thing for him. I’m playing a fairly dark, mysterious character behind Arthur’s back, and it’s both a good part to play, and good fun playing it.”

Though the MERLIN cast has melded into a cohesive, tight-knit unit over its three seasons, Parker has quickly assimilated himself into the fabric of the show, and the hearts of his fellow actors

“I love Nat – he’s a brilliant and lovely to work with,” says Angel Coulby (Gwen). “Right away, he said, ‘You must tell me if I’m doing something wrong – I’m not as stern as I look.’ And he’s really not. I thought he was going to be very serious, very method, but he’s a lot sillier on set than I could’ve imagined, and he definitely blended into the MERLIN atmosphere quickly and easily.”

“When I think of Nat,” says Katie McGrath (Morgana), “I think of laughing --  during the entire season, he never stopped trying to make everyone laugh. Even on the longest days, when everyone was cold or tired. He was always there with a smile and a joke, bless him.”

“Guest artists have always commented that they’ve been so easily and readily been accepted on MERLIN, but I think that’s because it’s the kind of show that they can easily be assimilated,” explains Anthony Head (Uther). “The writing is strong, and the series has such a good rhythm – people just don’t feel under pressure. Plus, it’s always fun for us to get to play with someone new. And Nat definitely fits with this group.”