Prime Video’s Fantasy Series Based on a 39-Year-Old Book Becomes a Major US Hit

The television adaptation The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin has unexpectedly surged into the top tier of Prime Video's most-watched programs months after its initial weekly run earlier in the year. Developed by Jeremy Boreing and adapted from Stephen R. Lawhead's classic book series, the seven-episode program offers a fresh take on Arthurian mythology by placing it within the context of Roman Britain. Although the production initially generated minimal buzz upon release, it has recently captured widespread viewer interest and secured an impressive 82% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This sudden wave of popularity places the show just behind major platform hits like Reacher, even though a second season has not yet been officially confirmed. Furthermore, this streaming milestone highlights the broader success of fantasy content on the service, which already features major epics such as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time.

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This episode includes AI-generated content.