Merlin co-creators Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy have confirmed this season will be the last for the hit BBC One fantasy, which will end this Christmas with a two-part special. The series airs in the United States on Syfy.

"We always felt the story of the legend was best told across five series, leading to a spectacular finale that draws on the best known elements of this much-loved story and brings to a conclusion the battle for Camelot," Capps and Murphy said in a joint statement released this morning. They plan to leave Elisabeth Murdoch's Shine TV following the final episode to set up their own production company.

Debuting in September 2008, Merlin is loosely based on Athurian legend, with Colin Morgan starring as the young wizard and Bradley James as Prince Arthur. The series also features Anthony Head as King Uther, Angel Coulby as Guinevere and Katie McGrath as Morgana.

"From the beginning, this was always going to be a five-year journey that we embarked on, and I think the show has run its natural course," Morgan said in a statement to DigitalSpy. "The show has grown and grown each year and now we've arrived at its strongest point and we've achieved what we set out to do ... I know this is the end, and I know this is goodbye, but thank you for being there on the journey with us because it has been a lot of fun!"

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Shine and FremantleMedia Enterprises, which handles international distribution, are in the early stages of developing possible spinoffs set in the world of Merlin.