Star of Return of the Jedi & Harry Potter series plays mysterious Grettir
in all-new episode “The Eye of the Phoenix” premiering Friday, March 4 on Syfy

To complete his quest, Arthur must traverse treacherous lands, elude
assassins and survive the black magic of a strength-sapping bracelet –
but first he’ll need to cross the footbridge guarded by the mysterious
Grettir, played by popular actor Warwick Davis – in an all-new episode
of MERLIN entitled “The Eye of Phoenix” premiering Friday, February 4
at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on Syfy.

Davis is best known for roles in several blockbuster movies. He plays
Professor Filius Flitwick in the Harry Potter films and the Ewok
“Wicket” in Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi, as well as the title
character in Willow and the Leprechaun franchise. As Grettir, Davis
plays one part guardian of a mystical path, and one part soothsayer in
seeing the future of the trio from Camelot – Arthur, Merlin and
Gwaine.

Davis, a self-professed fan of the series, took time during his
filming of Merlin to chat about his role in the episode …and offer a
few other tidbits of news. Here’s what he had to say …

Question:
How did this guest starring role on Merlin come about?

Warwick Davis:
Well it was lovely. I guess the longer you’re acting and the longer
you are around, the more often you are offered a part rather than
having to audition. It is really nice when the director offers you the
role because you don’t have the worry of auditioning and thinking, “I
want the part – will I get the part?” At the same time, you walk on
the set on the first day and in the back of your mind you’re
wondering, “I hope I can fulfill the director’s vision of this
character, because no one really knows what I am going to do.” Whereas
if you’ve auditioned already you know what the director likes.

It’s very flattering though and I was absolutely thrilled because we
love to watch Merlin in this household. For me, it harks back to being
a youngster watching dramas such as The Chronicles Of Narnia, which I
had the honor of being in, too.

Question:
What can you tell us about your episode?

Warwick Davis:
I play a keeper of a bridge. He is a sweet little character called
Grettir. He guards a bridge which leads to the Lands of the Fisher
King. He gives people a bit of a hard time if they want to come across
– they have to have the right reasons and be the right person to cross
this bridge. Obviously he wants Merlin and Arthur to get across it
because ultimately he wants to see the lands restored so he lets
Merlin and Arthur pass without too much trouble. But he takes his job
quite seriously.

Question:
What was it like working with the cast and crew of Merlin?

Warwick Davis:
It was terrific. It’s often hard going into a project where, like
Merlin, the cast and crew have been together many years now and you
walk in as the new boy. It feels very much like the first day of
school and you don’t know anyone. I was immediately made to feel very
welcome and it was a really, really fun filming. I felt very at home
and very part of it. Colin (Morgan, who plays Merlin) and Bradley
(James, who plays Arthur) were top blokes, really good guys and very
welcoming.

Question:
Where did you film?

Warwick Davis:
We filmed in a very interesting location, in a place called
Puzzlewood, in the Forest of Dean. It’s like an art director went in
there and created this set, but it’s a natural area. It was a mine at
one point and all these little areas have been dug out. It looks
magical, it looks like you’re going to walk round the corner and
you’ll see a goblin standing there. It’s absolutely perfect and the
little bridge that my character guards actually exists.

People that watch the show can go and find my bridge if they wish to.
It isn’t a set; somebody put it there in the past. In fact, it was the
place that inspired JRR Tolkien to write “The Hobbit.” We were talking
about that while we were filming because it does have this magical
quality to it, even though it was tipping down with rain when we were
filming. That’s filming for you – everyone thinks it’s such a
glamorous world but most of the time you’re standing in mud in the
pouring rain.

Question:
Does your character have magical powers?

Warwick Davis:
He does have magical powers because he is able to appear from thin
air. So he does to a degree, but he doesn’t show off any more magic
than that – I like to think he has a bit more going for him than that.
But being able to appear and disappear is a pretty good skill.

Question:
If you could have a magical power, what would it be?

Warwick Davis:
I think being invisible is quite useful at times, although you’d have
to be very respectful and use it correctly. For me I think levitation
would be very useful. Often I can’t reach counters in shops, cash
machines and books on shelves. If I could just levitate up and get to
these things it would be very useful for me.

You’ve led a very interesting life and it’s now documented in your
autobiography, “Size Matters Not.” Has that always been an ambition of
yours?

Warwick Davis:
I turned 40 this year, so I didn’t really feel old enough yet. But
after some persuasion I sat down and started to write it and it took
about a year and a half. It was very exciting to sit back and take
stock of my career. When you are living that life you don’t
necessarily appreciate it as much as you should. While writing the
book, I really felt so lucky to have done such an amazing amount of
work over the years. I’ve had so many great opportunities and worked
with some amazing people.

I do appreciate every bit of work I do now – I appreciate it much more
because I stand back a little and go, “wow this amazing.” It was the
same with Merlin – it’s an institution and has a huge following around
the world. It was just nice to be asked to go down there and do my
thing.

Question:
Of all the roles you’ve played, do you have a favorite?

Warwick Davis:
It’s really hard. When you play a character, they become sort of part
of your family in a way. So thinking of a favorite is very difficult.
I think Wicket, the Ewok I played in Return Of The Jedi – my very
first role – has got to be up there, just because he has given me this
amazing career. Professor Flitwick in Harry Potter, I am very fond of
that character, too.

Question:
What can fans enjoy you in next?

Warwick Davis:
I am also working on my comedy series, Life’s Too Short, with Ricky
Gervais and Stephen Merchant, which we are shooting (in) May. It’s
great, such a laugh, and with Ricky and Stephen you have the
reassurance that what you are doing will be funny. They’ve managed to
gain such great insight into my world, because it’s about me – I play
myself – and they’ve really got that. I can’t believe I am working
with them – I’ve hit the jackpot getting those guys on board!