Colin Morgan - Interview with French site dvdrama.com [translation]
New interview with Colin for the French site dvdrama.com.
WARNING: THE INTERVIEW MAY CONTAIN A FEW HINTS/SPOILERS FOR UPCOMING SERIES!
NOTE: French is not my best language and this is - by all means - not a proper proper translation. Please forgive any English faults cos actually English isn't my native language as well, merci! After all I think I've been able to translate the interview good enough so one can understand what Colin was talking about. :D
Our last meeting on the day of our little journey through the land of English fiction that takes place in France is with Merlin of whom we expect to tell us his secrets. Paradoxically actor Colin Morgan seems as timid as he seems to be full of energy, two characteristics that give full meaning to his character, and contrast beautifully with the one he is supposed to become in future seasons. Explanations.
Bradley told us that you're a shy person? Is that true?
Yes, usually it's a bit difficult for me to speak when I have to speak with many people. This intimidates me a little.
How's your relationship with Bradley?
When you start working on a series for eight months, you know you'll have to work with different people. Fortunately, we get along perfectly. In the series, Merlin and Arthur meet for the first time and must learn to accept each other and work side by side. With Bradley it worked as soon as we met.
It seems that every actor in the series is a bit like his character...
Yes, the casting directors have done an excellent job. I can't see anyone else embody these roles, each actor brings a bit of his own personality to his role.
What elements of your personality do you bring to Merlin?
I'd say his enthusiasm as well as his energy and perhaps he's also a little shy... Particularly when he gets in contact with girls, Merlin laughs rarely with girls. At least you [as an actor] try to give 100% to your role - as much as possible.
Is it true that you were doing magic tricks as a kid?
Yes. In fact, I always wanted to become an actor. I've always loved a good show, to make representations, and it is the magic that was one facet of this dream. So it was great fun to finally get the role of Merlin.
Merlin is known as one of the greatest magicians of history. Do you think he's even more powerful than Harry Potter?
Oh yes, undoubtedly Merlin is more powerful than Harry! His magic is original and ancient. The only change we made for the show is that we tell the story about the time when he wasn't the great and powerful sorcerer yet. But he'll evolve through the enemies and friends he'll meet. Actually this is something that happens a little to both Harry and Merlin.
Do you think this is one of the reasons why the series works so well?
Yes, I think the audience loves the show because we have very good stories and good characters. There's always something different in each episode, you don't know what to expect. I think that is what works. That and the fact that we use a lot of elements of the Arthurian legend but have the courage to enforce our own originality.
Who's been your favourite villain/enemy so far?
There are so many ... [ponders] I think I preferred facing Nimueh, the most dangerous enemy throughout series 1. The character was played by Michelle Ryan. Nimueh was very beautiful on the outside but deep down she was quite diabolical. It was difficult for Merlin to fight such a beautiful woman but it was interesting to have this kind of dilemma and to finally cope with it.
Do you know if we'll see her again?
No, I don't know. For Merlin the chapter's closed but she's so powerful, who knows?
In the first episode of Merlin, you were put in the stocks. How did it feel being exposed to the public like that and being bombarded with vegetables and fruit?
It's quite amusing that many people really wanted to be on set that day! [laughs] In fact it happened several times throughout the episode and we had to shoot the sequence, so I was given a new t-shirt each time...
So, did you say to yourself: 'What kind of work have I committed to do here?'
Indeed [laughs]. But in the end doing this work every day, it's pretty funny. I enjoyed myself so much. And what is funny is that I - whilst they were vegetables and fruits at me - realized that I was allergic to tomatoes! [laughs]. But we filmed the scenes and the next day I was all red.
You have a few scenes with the dragon voiced by John Hurt. Do you've met him already?
Yes! The first time I met John Hurt was on a stage in front of hundreds of people. I was awarded and John Hurt presented the award to me. It was a little embarrassing. But since the beginning of the second series, I talk my dialogues through with him and we spend much time in the studio together.
Who is more impressive? John Hurt or the great dragon?
John Hurt is adorable. As for the dragon, it is actually a green screen. So, probably John [laughs].
Isn't it strange to play against a Green Screen?
Yes, literally you're facing this green wall and you really have to use your imagination, but I finally got used to it, and I love it. But the dragon's so important, I would say one of the key features and one of the benefits of the series.
How's it working in France?
It' is very enjoyable, everyone is nice, especially all our French extras. We love coming to Pierrefonds, especially when the weather is pleasant. We're able to enjoy the cuisine and the French life style, it's great.
Does filming in France help you to improve your French?
'Yes, absolutely... oui! [laughs]
Did you ever had trouble with misunderstandings due to the language differences?
Yes, it happened several times already. Unfortunately I can't give an example but usually it's our fault because our French is quite bad whereas everyone manages to communicate pretty good in English.
Did you know about Merlin before you got the role?
Sincerely, I think I knew as much as anybody. An old man, a beard, a sword in the stone... But since, I've done a lot of research, I've read a lot of things and anyway I think that, when a character is important to you, you never know enough about him, particularly when you are working on something which is so rooted in History. I am constantly reading and learning. [Thanks to
artzam for the translation of this tricky answer! :)]You speak of a bearded old man, did this image of Merlin had an influence on your portrait of him?
I think that is fantastic about the series. We see Merlin as a young man and people tend to forget that Merlin was also young at one time. He was perhaps a bit stupid at this age and had to learn to control his powers... I'm glad I have so much freedom to explore the role because it was never done like this before.
Your version is different from what you imagined?
Let's say that the Merlin I incarnate is jovial, a bit strange and somehow awkward, but as we know where it'll lead, it's interesting to see how he'll evolve and learn to become the one who he'll be in the end. That says a lot about who he really is, how he'll assume his responsibilities and his role.
Is it difficult to remember the language that Merlin uses to cast spells?
In fact, Merlin uses Old English for casting spells, so it really means something in English.
How do you reconcile the fact of being shy and yet have chosen to become an actor?
I don't know, it's just what I always wanted to do. As soon as I learned to speak, I played with puppets and conceived stories. This has always seemed to be something natural for me. I guess that not being ourselves when we play is good for the balance. You do something different every day, mainly on a shooting like this. Here we work in a castle every day, in a forest in England or in a studio. You accumulate experiences.
Have you ever tried to practise magic outside the shooting?
It happens. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning and I don't want to make my bed, Hop, I cast a spell. [laughs]
And these are the words that conclude our interview, Colin has to leave to film some more sequences. We still have a few minutes to take a look at the village built outside the castle. It'll appear in many scenes of Camelot's everyday life in the series (there are others between Gwen's house). And it's responsible for some important memories we'll take with us on the bus to Paris, an exciting journey filled with exciting discussions. But that is another story.