Merlin (miniseries)

Merlin is a 1998 two-part television miniseries starring Sam Neill as Merlin, recounting the wizard's life in the mythic history of Britain. Loosely adapted from the legendary tales of Camelot, the plot adds the antagonistic Queen Mab and expands Merlin's backstory before the birth of King Arthur. The ensemble cast also features Miranda Richardson, Isabella Rossellini, Martin Short, Helena Bonham Carter, Rutger Hauer, James Earl Jones, John Gielgud and Lena Headey. The miniseries was nominated for 15 Emmy Awards, winning four for Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie, Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie, or Special, Outstanding Makeup, and Outstanding Special Visual Effects. A sequel, titled Merlin's Apprentice, followed in 2006, with Neill and Richardson reprising their roles.