We’re talking to Macken while he is promoting Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, and our conversation turns to the BBC drama, something that he remembers very fondly. “Merlin has been a big part of my life the last few years. I owe a lot to the fans, they are really, genuinely, an awesome group of people.”
While we were talking, Macken recounts his version of events after the action leave Sir Gwaine, supposedly perished. “I actually don’t think he died.” He tells us, “I think it’s more Percival had to go and do this thing and Gwaine was just unconscious, he would have woken up and everything was fine. I mean, obviously, he didn’t appear in the court after that so in my opinion he woke up with no memory and went on his travels again. He woke up with this really sore head and went ‘I have a hangover’ and has forgotten the last four years of being a knight or some bullshit then woke up and went for a drink.”
It doesn’t take long for Macken to get excited about the idea, and when the subject of returning to Merlin is raised (should that ‘six series and a movie’ rumour ever actually come to light… we live on in hope). “Sorry, we should actually make a short film of that!” he exclaims, cutting off the question of whether or not he would come back. “I’d do that! Gwaine just rocking up to a bar and has no recollection… thinks it’s all a big dream.”
“Do you know what,” he teases, “I have a bit of free time in February and March I might just have to go and shoot that. That actually could be a lot of fun.” It’s difficult not to get excited about the prospect, and it’s not just us who seem to be. “You’ve kind of given me an idea now. I’m kind of interested in doing that. You shouldn’t have done that to me just before Christmas.”