Katie McGrath, who plays Merlin’s Morgana, reckons this Saturday’s episode is a real shocker! Do we really see Morgana kill King Uther this week? “An old sorcerer shows Merlin a glimpse of the near-future, and in the premonition he sees Morgana killing Uther. But there’s a big twist. Nothing happens the way you expect it to happen and none of Merlin’s visions come true in the way you think they are going to. It’s an episode full of twists and one of the most shocking of the series. It’s very dark!” Is it good to be evil after two series of Morgana being nice? “It’s so fun, I’ve had a lot of practice at evil stares! Last year Morgana was very emotional as she’d just learnt about her magic, but this year she’s more assured. It’s nice to play powerful. I feel like I’ve won the lottery this year - I get great dresses, sword fighting, all the cool stuff! I do feel bad when I have to be evil to Anthony [Head, who plays Uther] or Colin [Morgan, who plays Merlin] as they’re so lovely, but I have to slip back into Morgana mode. She’s become what she’s become because she didn’t have much support, apart from her sister.” Your sister, Morgause, is played by Emilia Fox. Haven’t you played sisters before? “Yes, we were sisters in The Queen, too. [Emilia played the young Queen in C4’s drama and Katie was Princess Margaret]. I love working with Emilia. We keep getting cast as sisters and you couldn’t have two actresses who look so different!” What do you like best about being in Merlin? “It’s been great to work with some of the greatest actors in Britain. These are the type of people I grew up watching and to meet them and work with them – just to be in the same room with them – is amazing. But the best bit is when you meet kids who love the show. They get so excited! The looks on their faces when they see Colin and Bradley [James, who plays Arthur] is unbelievable. It makes me feel very special, to be honest!” Do you get recognised a lot? “Not much, but I don’t mind! But I love meeting Merlin fans, they’re so nice and kind and respectful.” We hear you’ve been working with Madonna! What’s she like? “Yes, on a film about Wallis Simpson called W.E. I play Edward VIII’s previous mistress, who introduces Wallis to the King, and Madonna was the director. She’s fantastic. She’s one of those people who everyone’s so familiar with and then she’s talking to you and she’s so lovely, and you can’t quite believe this is your life. It’s nice when you meet someone you admire and they don’t disappoint you.” What do you think about being turned into an action figure?! “It was one of my ambitions to have an action doll and it’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen! I had to call my mum and say, ‘Mum, I have an action figure!’ This is when you know the job has exceeded all your dreams. I want one!” *Merlin is on Saturday at 7.40pm on BBC1
