“Wizards: Tales of Arcadia” closes out Guillermo del Toro’s Tales of Arcadia trilogy with a time-traveling adventure set in Camelot. The series follows Douxie, a former apprentice to Merlin who was forgotten for centuries and now seeks to prove himself as a sorcerer in his master’s eyes. It ran for one season of ten episodes, all released at once on Netflix on August 7, 2020.
Trailer, via Rotten Tomatoes Family.
Douxie’s Journey to Camelot
Douxie joins the Guardians of Arcadia on a mission to travel back to 12th-century Camelot. Along the way, the group learns the origins of the amulet, how Morgana became the Pale Lady, and the events that led to the Battle of Killahead Bridge. The show blends fantasy, action and comedy into a saga that explores the world’s mythological roots.
Colin O’Donoghue voices Douxie, while David Bradley plays Merlin. James Faulkner voices King Arthur and the Green Knight. Emile Hirsch voices Jim, Lexi Medrano voices Claire, Alfred Molina voices Archie, and Steven Yeun voices Steve. Steve Alterman provides additional voices.
The Limited Series Format
As the first and only limited series in the Tales of Arcadia franchise, “Wizards” packs its story into ten episodes without a traditional season arc. This format allows the series to focus tightly on Douxie’s quest and the historical stakes of the time travel.
The animation matches the quality of the earlier installments in the trilogy, with DreamWorks Animation Television and Double Dare You Productions handling production. The show’s visual style draws on mythological imagery and fantasy landscapes, giving Camelot a distinct look that sets it apart from the previous installments.
Awards and Recognition
“Wizards” earned acclaim from critics for its complex storytelling and high-quality animation. In 2021, the series was nominated for four Daytime Emmys, including Outstanding Children’s Animated Series. It won an Annie Award and the Kidscreen Award for “Best New Series,” a category that included all live-action and animated programming that year.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Season release | August 7, 2020 |
| Emmy nominations announced | 2021 |
| Annie Award and Kidscreen Award won | 2021 |
| Full-length feature film release | July 21, 2021 |
The series was followed by a feature film, “Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans,” released on July 21, 2021.
Our Verdict
“Wizards: Tales of Arcadia” delivers a satisfying conclusion to the Tales of Arcadia trilogy. The time travel premise gives Douxie a chance to step into the spotlight, and the voice cast brings energy to every episode. The animation holds up against the best of the franchise, and the storytelling rewards viewers who have followed the series from the beginning.
This is a show that builds something new while drawing on the mythology of its predecessors. The blend of fantasy, action and comedy works well across all ten episodes, and the series ties together threads from the entire trilogy in a way that feels earned rather than rushed.
“Wizards: Tales of Arcadia” earns a perfect 10 out of 10.
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