© (C) 2009 NBC Universal Anthony Stewart Head in MERLIN - Season 1

Television:

Exclusive: ANTHONY STEWART HEAD CONFIRMS 'BUFFY' MOVIE IS ONLY RUMORS PLUS TALKS ABOUT NBC'S 'MERLIN'

The British actor thinks the new medieval series will have a broad family appeal

By CARL CORTEZ, Contributing Editor
Published 4/24/2009

LOCATION: Pasadena, CA

THE SKINNY: It’s taken a while for Anthony Stewart Head to graduate from Watcher to King, but he’s doing just that with his new role as the villainous King Uther who doesn't believe in magic in NBC’s forthcoming summer series MERLIN (which debuts in June).

Originally made for the BBC, NBC jumped on board the series, which uncovers the younger years of Arthur and Merlin), sight unseen according to Head and with the series already success in England, he’s hoping American audiences are going to get a kick out of it too.

“The proof will be in the pudding,” Head says. “It’s one of those gigs, you go ‘why the hell didn’t somebody do this before.’ It was so simple, it was so easy. And looking at this show, it’s a spectacular, beautiful show. It’s funny, witty, dark and sinister in its moments and light enough for five and six-year-old’s to get off on it. We haven’t had a good medieval romp since I can remember. We’ve had movies with knights riding around, but nothing like this on TV, usually because of the production values. But they’ve somehow managed to do it.”

Ironically, the series was almost called off because the producers couldn’t find a proper castle.

“They nearly cancelled it because they couldn’t find a castle, but at the last minute [they found one] and it’s just staggering,” he adds. “It’s in France. It’s staggering. It’s like the seventh member of the cast. It so informs everything we do. You do a corridor scene you do. It doesn’t matter what time of day, what the light is, it’s just beautiful. It has that depth.”

Recently, there’s been rumblings again about a BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER feature film, but Head, who had recently talked with series creator Joss Whedon, says there’s not truth to it.

“The last time I saw him, I said ‘so,’ and he’s ‘no,’” laughs Head. “Who knows. If all the stars were right, I’d certainly do it.”

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