A new series inspired by Arthurian legend, "The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin," has unexpectedly become a hit on Prime Video in the United Kingdom, according to reports. The series, created by The Daily Wire co-founder Jeremy Boreing, has climbed to the number one spot for fantasy series on Amazon Prime UK and ranks among the top 10 overall movies and series.
The show, adapted from Stephen Lawhead's novels, chronicles the life of Merlin, the son of the bard Taliesin and Atlantean Princess Charis. Set before the birth of King Arthur, it depicts Merlin's upbringing, his descent into madness, and his disappearance, leading to the legend that surrounds him. The narrative sees Merlin reemerge in Sub-Roman Britain to unite fractured kingdoms against Saxon invaders.
Boreing, who also produced the series, released it in the U.S. via his streaming platform, DailyWire+. The series has also found success in Ireland, Spain, and Portugal, appearing in the top three overall series on Prime Video in these regions.
Boreing commented on the series' reception, stating, "Britain’s greatness was never something to apologize for, and this legend has always been at the heart of it." He noted the cultural significance of the Arthurian myth in Britain and expressed his honor in bringing the story to the screen. He added that the show was deliberately cast with relative unknowns to ensure the project remained the central focus.
Oscar-winning screenwriter Roger Avary reportedly praised the show on "The Joe Rogan Experience," comparing it favorably to "Lord Of The Rings: Rings of Power" and "Game of Thrones" spin-offs. Actor Colin Cunningham, who played King Vortigern, has received a British Columbia Leo Award nomination for his performance in the series.
Boreing, who co-founded The Daily Wire and helped build it into a media company valued at $1 billion, has shifted his focus to creative projects. He reflected on different audience-building strategies, suggesting that providing "something worth believing in" is a more sustainable approach than relying on "something worth being angry about," which he described as "faster, cheaper and far more addictive" but ultimately "poisons" the audience.
"The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin" was released in January and has built its audience through word-of-mouth, with minimal marketing. It has achieved chart success alongside other popular UK shows like "Clarkson's Farm" and "Afterparty."