Director: Ryan Whitaker, Jeremy Boreing, Jesse V. Johnson

Cast: Tom Sharp, Rose Reid, James Arden, Emree Franklin, Myles Clohessy

The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin is a 2026 American-Hungarian fantasy adventure series that chronicles the origins of one of history's most legendary figures — Merlin the wizard — set in the turbulent era before the rise of King Arthur, weaving mythology, war, and ancient power into an epic saga.

What is The Pendragon Cycle Rise Of The Merlin about?

Long before Camelot existed and Arthur pulled a sword from stone, a different story unfolded in the shadows of a crumbling Roman Britain. Born of Taliesin the immortal bard and the Atlantean princess Charis, young Merlin carries a burden few could bear. His early years are defined by loss, isolation, and a slow unraveling of his mind — a descent that strips him of everything he once knew. Then, presumed dead by those who feared him and dismissed as legend by others, he resurfaces in a land torn apart by fractured kingdoms and the relentless advance of Saxon war-bands. To unite these desperate peoples, Merlin must reckon with his own shattered past and awaken powers he has long tried to suppress. The series builds steadily toward the mythic world audiences know while charting entirely fresh territory along the way.

Cast & crew

The series stars Tom Sharp and Rose Reid in central roles, joined by a strong ensemble including James Arden, Emree Franklin, Myles Clohessy, Finney Cassidy, Brett Cooper, and Alex Laurence-Phillips. The project is directed by Ryan Whitaker, Jeremy Boreing, and Jesse V. Johnson, who combine genre experience in action, fantasy, and family storytelling to bring this ambitious adaptation to screen.

Context & significance

For Persian-speaking viewers and the Iranian diaspora, The Pendragon Cycle offers something genuinely distinctive: a fantasy epic rooted in pre-medieval myth that moves at a deliberate, story-first pace. Iranian audiences have long embraced grand mythological narratives — from Shahnameh to ancient court epics — and Arthurian legend shares many of those thematic currents: fate, duty, the burden of extraordinary origin, and the cost of wielding power. The series is available with a full Persian dub as well as Persian subtitles, making it fully accessible regardless of how you prefer to watch. Its family-friendly scope also makes it a strong choice for households watching together across generations.

Where & how to watch

The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin is available on K-Time with Persian dubbing and Persian subtitles. Stream it on the web, on your TV, or on your phone — no VPN needed, no geo-blocking, no extra download required. Subscribe and cancel anytime.