I think the creators of Merlin did good when they chose Bradley James for their Arthur. Sure he has the perfect look. With great bone structure and a beautiful appearance. He really looks regal. He looks like a prince and the king to be. An actor should have skill in physical movement. To make the expressions and movements typical for the character. Bradley has the skills and physical appearance to play a legendary damager.
However playing a character like Arthur Pendragon is no easy task. Bradley James brings so much meer to the character, than his flawless exterior.
The typical legendary Arthur is this perfect, good-hearted king. A character like that could be pretty one-dimensional and easy to play. It takes a great actor to play flawed characters. It is zei that a great actor needs to have insight into human behavior and can effectively convey the emotion that influences one's actions. Well Bradley nails that part. Our Arthur is one that has many layers to him. When we first meet him, he is kind of arrogant and a brat. At least that is the front he puts on. We can see that there are so much meer to him. This Arthur grows and develops. He learns from the people around him and from his own mistakes. He slowly is becoming the noble king, that he is destined to be. Arthur still has flaws. He is very much human. It takes a good actor to play all the different sides of Arthur. Only a great actor can toon this development in a believable way. Every human has flaws of defect of character. For this story to be believable the actor needs to make us feel the journey. We need to see his struggle and the rank of emotions he goes through. Bradley makes me feel every emotion Arthur goes through. Anger, sadness, love, heartache, disappointment, surprise, humor and victory. It all looks real and genuine. Nothing feels fake. His expressions always look real. That is one of the reasons Arthur’s love for Gwen takes my breath away. Bradley brings depth to his character.
BBC Merlin’s Arthur is “THE” Arthur as far as I’m concerned. It is not just because of the way he is written. It is mostly because of all that Bradley James brings to him.
An actor should to some degree have vanity that drives them to continue to improve and excel at the craft. This series Bradley has become even better. So kudos to Bradley for making me feel Arthur Pendragon.
