The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin (2026) Blu-ray Box Set (2-Disc)

Description

Before Camelot. Before King Arthur. Before the legend, there was Merlin.

Discover the extraordinary origins of one of the world’s most enduring legends with The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin (2026), an epic historical fantasy television series inspired by the bestselling novels of Stephen R. Lawhead.

Created by Jeremy Boreing, this ambitious seven-episode series transports viewers to ancient Britain during the collapse of Roman authority, when rival kingdoms, invading armies, and competing beliefs threaten to tear the island apart.

At the center of the story is Merlin, a young man whose extraordinary heritage and prophetic visions place him on a path toward a remarkable destiny.

Born from the union of an Atlantean princess and a legendary bard, Merlin must navigate a world filled with political conflict, ancient traditions, powerful enemies, and the growing influence of Christianity.

As the old world begins to disappear, Merlin becomes determined to fulfill a vision of a united Britain.

But bringing peace to a divided land will require extraordinary courage, painful sacrifices, and the rise of a king capable of changing history.

Featuring Tom Sharp, Rose Reid, James Arden, Brett Cooper, and Myles Clohessy, The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin combines sweeping historical adventure, mythological storytelling, powerful performances, and the timeless struggle between darkness and hope.

About the Series

Long before the legendary reign of King Arthur, Britain was a land divided by conflict.

The influence of the Roman Empire was fading, leaving behind a fragmented society struggling to survive political instability, invading armies, and competing religious traditions.

Ancient tribes fought for territory and power, while Saxon and Pictish threats placed increasing pressure on the island’s fragile kingdoms.

In this dangerous world, the dream of a united Britain seemed almost impossible.

But the foundations of a new legend were already beginning to emerge.

The story begins with two extraordinary figures whose lives become connected through love, destiny, and prophecy.

Charis, an Atlantean princess, carries the legacy of a mysterious civilization whose history is intertwined with ancient myths.

Taliesin, a gifted bard and visionary, possesses an extraordinary understanding of the spiritual and political forces shaping his world.

Their relationship creates a connection between two very different traditions.

From their union comes Merlin, a child whose future will influence the destiny of Britain.

Merlin’s early life is shaped by loss, uncertainty, and the burden of an extraordinary heritage.

As he grows older, he begins to understand that his life may have a greater purpose.

The world around him is filled with violence and instability.

Powerful rulers struggle to maintain control, ancient loyalties are challenged, and invading forces threaten the survival of entire communities.

Merlin discovers that his father’s vision of a peaceful and united kingdom may offer a path beyond the endless cycle of warfare.

This dream becomes known as the Kingdom of Summer.

But transforming a vision into reality is far more difficult than imagining it.

Merlin must learn to navigate the complicated relationships between kings, warriors, religious leaders, and ordinary people.

His journey brings him into contact with individuals whose decisions will shape the future of Britain.

Among them are powerful rulers, ambitious warriors, and figures whose personal ambitions threaten the possibility of peace.

As Merlin’s understanding of his destiny develops, he becomes increasingly involved in the political struggles of the island.

His prophetic abilities and unusual background make him both valuable and dangerous to those seeking power.

Some regard him as a visionary capable of guiding Britain toward a new age.

Others see him as a threat to their authority.

Meanwhile, the spiritual landscape of Britain is undergoing a profound transformation.

Traditional beliefs remain deeply rooted in the lives of the people, but Christianity is becoming an increasingly important force.

The conflict between old traditions and emerging religious ideas creates difficult questions about identity, loyalty, and the future.

Merlin must confront these tensions while remaining committed to his vision of unity.

His journey is not simply a struggle for political power.

It is also a search for meaning, faith, and the courage to pursue a future that others cannot yet imagine.

As rival kingdoms move toward war, Merlin realizes that Britain needs more than a prophet.

It needs a leader capable of bringing divided peoples together.

The search for such a king becomes central to his destiny.

Through dangerous journeys, personal sacrifices, and moments of extraordinary revelation, Merlin gradually becomes the legendary figure whose influence will shape the Arthurian world.

The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin presents an imaginative retelling of the origins of Arthurian legend, exploring the events that precede the familiar stories of Camelot, Excalibur, and the Knights of the Round Table.

Combining historical inspiration with mythology, spiritual themes, and epic fantasy, the series offers a new perspective on the legendary world of Merlin.

The Complete Seven-Episode Series

Experience the full seven-part story, from the ancient origins of Merlin’s family to his rise as a prophetic figure who will help shape Britain’s future.

Episode 1 – Island of the Mighty

As the old world begins to collapse, the tribes of Britain descend into political conflict and uncertainty.

Ancient beliefs are challenged, and the future of the island hangs in the balance.

Amid the chaos, a remarkable spiritual experience begins a chain of events that will eventually transform the destiny of Britain.

Episode 2 – The Vision of Taliesin

A forbidden relationship brings together two extraordinary individuals from very different worlds.

Their union becomes connected to a prophecy whose consequences will extend far beyond their own lifetimes.

The foundations of Merlin’s remarkable destiny begin to emerge.

Episode 3 – A Fatherless Child

A powerful king demands blood as the fragile political order begins to unravel.

In the aftermath of tragedy and revelation, the young Merlin faces the consequences of a world shaped by violence and uncertainty.

His extraordinary heritage begins to influence the direction of his life.

Episode 4 – The King of Maridunum

As Britain suffers from conflict and instability, Merlin attempts to bring unity to a divided land.

But dangerous political forces and hidden ambitions threaten his vision of peace.

The struggle for leadership becomes increasingly complicated.

Episode 5 – The Price of Failure

War approaches as alliances weaken and loyalties begin to fracture.

Merlin’s past returns to challenge his determination, threatening the future he has struggled to create.

The consequences of failure become increasingly serious.

Episode 6 – Ganieda

After years in exile, Merlin returns to a kingdom divided by conflict.

His encounter with Ganieda introduces new emotional challenges and forces him to reconsider the relationship between his personal desires and his larger destiny.

Episode 7 – The Last True Bard

Britain stands on the edge of a decisive conflict.

As rival forces gather for war, Merlin must emerge from the shadows and help establish the leadership needed to unite the island.

The season reaches its dramatic conclusion as the foundations of a legendary future begin to take shape.

Main Cast and Characters

Tom Sharp as Merlin

Tom Sharp portrays Merlin, the legendary prophet whose extraordinary heritage and spiritual visions place him at the center of Britain’s struggle for unity.

Born into a world of conflict, Merlin must navigate political intrigue, ancient beliefs, and personal tragedy while pursuing his dream of a peaceful kingdom.

Rose Reid as Charis

Rose Reid plays Charis, the Atlantean princess whose extraordinary background becomes an important part of Merlin’s origins.

Her relationship with Taliesin helps establish the mythological foundations of the story.

James Arden as Taliesin

James Arden portrays Taliesin, the legendary bard whose vision of Britain’s future becomes an important influence on Merlin.

His beliefs and experiences help shape the spiritual and political themes of the series.

Brett Cooper as Ganieda

Brett Cooper portrays Ganieda, a significant figure in Merlin’s life whose relationship with him introduces emotional conflict and difficult choices.

Myles Clohessy as Uther

Myles Clohessy portrays Uther, an important figure in the political struggles that shape the future of Britain and the emerging Arthurian legend.

Finney Cassidy as Aurelius

Finney Cassidy appears as Aurelius, a figure connected to the royal conflicts and political developments of the period.

Emree Franklin as Morgain

Emree Franklin portrays Morgain, a character connected to the legendary world of Merlin and the developing Arthurian mythology.

Inspired by the Novels of Stephen R. Lawhead

The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin is based on the celebrated fantasy novels by Stephen R. Lawhead.

Lawhead’s The Pendragon Cycle reimagines Arthurian mythology through a combination of Celtic history, ancient legends, spiritual themes, and epic storytelling.

Rather than beginning with the familiar reign of King Arthur, the novels explore the generations and historical events that precede the establishment of Camelot.

The story incorporates elements of Atlantis, the decline of Roman Britain, the rise of Christianity, and the struggle to create a united kingdom.

The television adaptation brings this imaginative world to the screen through historical settings, dramatic performances, and large-scale fantasy storytelling.

For readers familiar with Lawhead’s novels, the series offers an opportunity to experience the characters and themes of the books in a cinematic format.

For newcomers, it provides an accessible introduction to a distinctive interpretation of the Arthurian legend.

Product Details

• Series Title: The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin
• Release Year: 2026
• Season: Season 1
• Edition: Complete Seven-Episode Series
• Format: Blu-ray (seller-listed specification)
• Disc Count: 2 Blu-ray Discs (seller-listed specification)
• Condition: New & Sealed (verify actual packaging)
• Total Episodes: 7
• Total Runtime: Approximately 447 Minutes
• Genre: Historical Fantasy, Adventure, Drama, Mythology
• Creator: Jeremy Boreing
• Based On: The Pendragon Cycle novels by Stephen R. Lawhead
• Starring: Tom Sharp, Rose Reid, James Arden, Brett Cooper, Myles Clohessy
• Additional Cast: Finney Cassidy, Emree Franklin
• Original Streaming Platform: DailyWire+
• Additional Distribution: Prime Video
• Original Language: English
• Original Premiere: January 22, 2026
• Season Finale: March 5, 2026
• Audio: Verify the specific Blu-ray edition
• Subtitles: Verify the specific Blu-ray edition
• Region Code: Verify the specific Blu-ray edition
• Physical Release Authorization: Not independently verified