The BBC's beloved fantasy series "Merlin" has found an unlikely spiritual successor in "The Librarians: The Next Chapter", where Lord of the Rings and Lost actor Dominic Monaghan takes on a fresh, subversive interpretation of the legendary wizard. Rather than retreading the youthful Camelot origin story told in the BBC show, this TNT drama reimagines Merlin as newly freed from imprisonment and adjusting to life in the modern world, offering fans of Arthurian lore a distinctly different take on the character.

In the current season, Merlin is shown travelling through Europe, largely stripped of his former magical powers but still possessing deep knowledge of the craft, which Monaghan portrays almost like a recovering addict resisting temptation. He repeatedly finds himself drawn back into magical entanglements against his better judgement, positioning him as a quirky, morally ambiguous figure who often acts as a foil to the Librarians, the show's team dedicated to protecting the world from dangerous magical artefacts.