When I mentioned earlier this morning that we’d bring you the breaking Merlin news as soon as we had any, I didn’t expect that to be later the same day, but the BBC have just confirmed that a second series of Merlin has been commissioned, and there’s some interesting news about the cast too, over the jump.

For the rest of our Merlin coverage, go here.

The first series, which started broadcasting on 20 September, has done pretty well, averaging an audience of 6.2 million viewers for the first eight episodes (a 28% audience share).

Shine Television, the producers, are said to be “absolutely delighted” at the news of a second series, especially since they are rumoured to have a 5-series story arc in mind.

Colin Morgan as Merlin and Bradley James as the young prince Arthur will be joined in the second series by the familiar faces of Richard Wilson (Gaius), Anthony Head (Uther Pendragon), Angel Coulby (Guinevere), Katie McGrath (Morgana) and John Hurt as the voice of The Great Dragon.

There is as yet no information available about who will guest (including whether Nimueh will be magically restored).