‘Merlin’ to end on BBC One after season 5

As we have said of late with “Downton Abbey,” it is the tradition in great Britain for most TV shows to not last for an extended period of time. With this in mind, it should really not come as too much of a surprise to anyone that “Merlin” is getting set to wrap up its run on TV after the Christmas special that will bookend the BBC One show’s fifth season.

So why is it ending now? For one, this was always more or less the plan for the fantasy series, as both the network and the creative team responsible for it want to ensure that the story never overstays its welcome (which is something that American shows should learn a thing or two about). A number of people associated with the program have released statements, and we will start with the man behind Merlin himself in Colin Morgan:

“From the beginning this was always going to be a five year journey that we embarked on and I think the show has run its natural course. The show has grown and grown each year and now we’ve arrived at its strongest point and we’ve achieved what we set out to do… I know this is the end, and I know this is goodbye, but thank you for being there on the journey with us because it has been a lot of fun!”

Meanwhile, co-creators Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy shared the following message:

“This is the series where the storylines truly reach their apex. We always felt the story of the legend was best told across five series, leading to a spectacular finale that draws on the best known elements of this much-loved story and brings to a conclusion the battle for Camelot.”

For American audiences, the show has traditionally aired on Syfy, and it will come to its conclusion at some point next year.

Are you sad to see that the end for “Merlin” is upon us now?