The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin

The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin
Genre	Historical fantasy
Created by	Jeremy Boreing
Based on	The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen R. Lawhead
Directed by	Jeremy Boreing Ryan Whitaker Jesse V. Johnson
Starring	Tom Sharp Rose Reid James Arden Finney Cassidy Myles Clohessy Emree Franklin Brett Cooper Alex Laurence Phillips Colin Cunningham Daniel Fathers Nicholas Boulton Thor Rosland Chick Allan
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	7
Production
Executive producers	Jeremy Boreing Ben Shapiro Caleb Robinson Dallas Sonnier Daniel Kresmery Ryan Whitaker
Producers	Travis Mills Jonathan Hay Amanda Presmyk Jonathan Halperyn Jerilyn Esquibel Augusto Pelliccia Julius Nasso Stephen R. Lawhead
Original release
Network	DailyWire+
Release	January 22, 2026 (2026-01-22) – present

The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin is an American historical fantasy television series created for DailyWire+. Based on the book series The Pendragon Cycle by Stephen R. Lawhead, namely the first two books Taliesin (1987) and Merlin (1988), the series is a retelling of Arthurian legend set in Roman Britain and especially its original milieu, Sub-Roman Britain. It premiered on January 22, 2026.

Premise

The series follows Merlin, the immortal son of the bard Taliesin and Atlantean Princess Charis, chronicling his tragic upbringing, descent into madness and shocking disappearance that lead to the legend that surrounds him. Set before King Arthur's birth, Merlin, assumed dead or a myth, reemerges in Sub-Roman Britain to unite the fractured kingdoms under threat from Saxon invaders.

Cast

• Tom Sharp as Merlin
• Rose Reid as Charis
• James Arden as Taliesin
• Emree Franklin as Morgian
• Finney Cassidy as Aurelius
• Myles Clohessy as Uther
• Brett Cooper as Ganieda
• Alex Laurence Phillips as Pelleas
• Colin Cunningham as Vortigern
• Nicholas Boulton as Morcant
• Daniel Fathers as Avallach
• Thor Rosland as Hengist
• Chick Allan as Gorlas

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
1	"Island of the Mighty"	Jeremy Boreing	Jeremy Boreing	January 22, 2026 (2026-01-22)
The age of the ancient gods comes to an end in post-Roman Britain, with tribes in chaos and invaders looming. A prince (Elphin) rescues a mysterious baby from a river—miraculously reborn—destined to be the great bard Taliesin. Meanwhile, in Atlantis, Princess Charis faces the destruction of her city, visions of the bull god Bel, and the collapse of her civilization. Years later, Taliesin (now an adult) crosses paths with Charis, beginning a forbidden love between different worlds. The episode introduces the conflict between ancient pagan beliefs, the arrival of Christianity, and the birth of the legend of Merlin.
2	"The Vision of Taliesin"	Jeremy Boreing	Jeremy Boreing & Rose Reid	January 22, 2026 (2026-01-22)
Taliesin possesses an intense prophetic vision, with biblical references (such as Moses and Sodom). His love for Charis (of Atlantean origins) generates a prophecy that will outlive the ancient world. There is betrayal, jealousy, magic, and a clash between pagan gods and the one true God. The couple faces family and cultural obstacles, culminating in a Christian marriage and Charis's baptism. The episode establishes the union that results in the birth of Merlin, with elements of redemption and prophecy.
3	"A Fatherless Child"	Jesse V. Johnson	Jeremy Boreing	January 29, 2026 (2026-01-29)
Fast-forwarding approximately 75 years, Merlin (now an adult, played by Tom Sharp) returns to civilization after years of isolation in the wilderness—transformed by trials, faith, and visions. He appears disheveled and prophetic, proving his visions by predicting events (such as approaching enemies and water sources). He confronts Vortigern, negotiates the release of Christian monks, discusses the "Sword of Britain," and helps prepare the ground for a king to unite the lands against Saxon invaders (like Hengist). There is a focus on punishing the wicked, emerging alliances (including with Uther Pendragon), and a poignant reunion with his mother Charis at the end, in the place where she lived in seclusion. The episode highlights Merlin proving his influence amidst the chaos of war.
4	"The King of Maridunum"	Ryan Whitaker	Ryan Whitaker	February 5, 2026 (2026-02-05)
Following Vortigern's fall, Britain bleeds in chaos and rival ambitions. Pascent (Vortigern's son) seeks revenge and allies himself with Hengist (a Saxon), sealing a deadly pact to overthrow Constance's sons (Aurelius and Uther). Merlin seeks unity, reuniting with his mother Charis and grandfather the Atlantean King Avallach. Aurelius and Uther are hosted; tensions between brothers arise (Aurelius more diplomatic, Uther impatient). Avallach emphasizes the need for a High King who seeks both justice and mercy. Morgian deepens the betrayal; internal threats (faith tested, bad bargains) outweigh external ones. Lines are drawn and loyalties tested, with Merlin, Pelleas and Uther riding to other kindgoms in hopes of forging alliances amidst the kings of Britain. Merlin's past is slowly revealed to the untrusting Uther as he believes Merlin will betray his brother Aurelius.
5	"The Price of Failure"	Ryan Whitaker	Josiah Nelson	February 12, 2026 (2026-02-12)
Tensions build and schemes unfold among the Kings in Aurelius’ war camp. Gorlas, king of Tintagel and a seasoned warrior, doubts Aurelius and Uther’s lack of experience and capability of leading their army to victory against overwhelming Saxon invaders. Uther’s rage and loyalty to his brother risks a division among the Kings, dwelling their British soldiers, which would lead to their defeat. Aurelius must prove himself worthy as leader in a clash of honour. Meanwhile Merlin rides with Pelleas to seek allies for Aurelius in the north. As they draw closer to their destination, Merlin still plagued with visions of a mysterious woman, reflects on his child abduction by the mysterious tribal hill folk. Merlin and Pelleas receive a cold welcoming as a tragedy unresolved and a tense reunion, risks Aurelius’ hopes of reinforcements and past failures resurfacing.
6	"Ganieda"	Ryan Whitaker	Rose Reid	February 19, 2026 (2026-02-19)
Travelling back 50 years, Merlin's mysterious past before his sudden disappearance is revealed. After spending 6 years with the Hill folk, a young Merlin unsure whether he has full control over his power or it controls him, returns to the main land to find his true destiny. On his journey he encounters a young princess Ganieda, and is struck by her beauty. The episode explores Merlin's love for Ganieda, as he grows from a young man, to a husband, to a warrior and to a king himself. However when Merlin's destiny and love collides, tragedy strikes, turning his life upside down and unleashing his full power onto the world.
7	"The Last True Bard"	Jesse V. Johnson	Josiah Nelson, Ryan Whitaker & Jeremy Boreing	March 5, 2026 (2026-03-05)
Merlin returns as Britain gathers for war. Still out numbered by thousands of Saxons, Aurelius and the kings of Britain devise a desperate plan. Upon the battleground against overwhelming odds, the fate of Britain hangs in the balance, while Merlin finds his true calling.

Production

Development

In November 2022, The Daily Wire announced its intention to produce an adaptation of the series. In July 2023, it was announced that The Daily Wire Co-CEO Jeremy Boreing would be taking a leave of absence from the company, to co-direct the series. It was also revealed that the series would source its filming and production in Italy and Hungary, and would premiere on DailyWire+. Boreing stated that the production's budget was least $1 million per episode, and at least $10 million overall for the whole season.

Casting

In September 2023, British actor Tom Sharp was announced to have been cast in the series' lead role as Merlin, as filming began in Europe. Executive Producer Dallas Sonnier recalled Sharp independently auditioned for the title role “To discover Tom Sharp off of a casting tape that was self-submitted without an agent, direct to us, and to find a future movie star out of nowhere is such a cool thing”.

The main cast later announced were Rose Reid as Charis, James Arden as Taliesin, Emree Franklin as Morgian, Finney Cassidy as Aurelius, Myles Clohessy as Uther, Brett Cooper as Ganieda and Alex Laurence Phillips as Pelleas. Additionally cast in the series are Colin Cunningham as Vortigern, Nicholas Boulton as Morcant, Daniel Fathers as Avallach, Thor Rosland as Hengist and Chick Allan as Gorlas.

Filming

Filming took place from September to December 2023 in Budapest, Trento, Priverno (at the Fossanova Abbey), in the Gran Sasso d'Italia mountains and at the Cinecittà film studio.

Release and reception

The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin premiered on January 22, 2026, consisting of seven episodes.

In a positive review, Ed Power for The Telegraph called the show "a cheery, cheesy series" that was "doomed to be shunned by the very audience it so desperately wants to win over." Roger Avary praised the series comparing it with John Boorman's film Excalibur and against other fantasy shows like The Rings of Power, claiming if you can "get over" the show creators' political standing "it's as good as classic television." The series received praise from TV Fanatic and Giant Freakin Robot, with the latter positively comparing it to Game of Thrones.

A less favourable review from Josh Rosenberg for Esquire panned the series as "terrible" and "simply incomprehensible" and referred to it as a "discount Game of Thrones".

External links

• Official website
• The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin at IMDb