The official teaser for “The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin” has just been unveiled, giving fans a first look at the highly anticipated fantasy epic based on Stephen R. Lawhead’s celebrated novels.

While the name may sound familiar to fans of the BBC’s “Merlin” series, this new adaptation stands entirely on its own. Rather than a light retelling set in Camelot, “The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin” draws directly from Stephen R. Lawhead’s novels, blending history, myth, and faith into a grittier, more spiritual origin story. It reimagines Merlin not as a court magician, but as a prophetic figure rising amid the ruins of Roman rule and the clash of ancient and new worlds.

The teaser introduces viewers to a darker, more spiritual retelling of the Arthurian saga. It follows Merlin, played by Tom Sharp, in a land once ruled by Rome, now fractured by warring tribes, fading gods, and the dawn of a new faith. The tone is mystical, the visuals sweeping, and the atmosphere charged with prophecy and destiny.

From the creative team behind DailyWire+ Originals, the series also stars Rose Reid as Charis, James Arden as Taliesin, Finney Cassidy as Aurelius, and Brett Cooper as Ganieda. Filmed across Hungary and Italy, the production promises large-scale battles, intricate costumes, and an immersive world inspired by the early Dark Ages.

The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin will premiere January 22, 2025, exclusively on DailyWire+, with All Access members getting early access to the first two episodes on Christmas Day.

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