The BEST episodes of The Magicians

Every episode of The Magicians ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Magicians!

Comedian Lenny Henry presents a magic contest in which sleight-of-hand artist Chris Korn, master illusionist Luis de Matos, and conjurers Barry and Stuart pair up with celebrities and battle in front of a studio audience to prove who is the best act

Last Updated: 1/29/2024Network: BBC OneStatus: Ended
Share:
Episode 5
star
8.63
79 votes

#1 - Episode 5

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/4/2012

The Magicians returns with more mind-bending magic. Twisted tricksters Barry and Stuart are joined by MasterChef judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace; comedy magician Pete Firman is paired with choreographer and presenter Arlene Phillips; and world champion of magic, Latimer, is with A Question of Sport captain Phil Tufnell. Each celebrity and their magical mentor perform four spectacular illusions, two of which are live. With the viewers at home voting for their favorite act, the teams must do all they can to impress; the act with the fewest votes faces a terrifying live forfeit. From the spectacular to the stomach-churning, each act goes all-out to astonish and amaze. But who will be safe, and who will have to face the death-defying forfeit?

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 3
star
8.23
82 votes

#2 - Episode 3

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/21/2012

World Champion of Magic, Latimer, is joined by Pussycat Doll and Got to Dance judge Kimberly Wyatt; comedy magician Pete Firman is paired with Great British Bake Off presenter Mel Giedroyc, and Barry and Stuart team up with former world heavyweight boxing champion David Haye.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 4
star
8.17
87 votes

#3 - Episode 4

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/28/2012

World Champion of Magic, Latimer, is joined by TV and radio presenter Myleene Klass; comedy magician Pete Firman is paired with Eastenders' Ian Beale, actor Adam Woodyatt; and the dark and macabre Barry and Stuart team up with Holby city's Tina Hobley. Viewers at home get the chance to vote for their favorite act as they each perform four mind-blowing magic tricks, two of which are live. The act with the fewest votes will have to face a terrifying forfeit at the end of the show. Featuring special guests David and Dania, an American quick change act.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 2
star
8.08
83 votes

#4 - Episode 2

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/14/2012

The Magicians returns with more celebrities and more jaw-dropping illusions. Darren McMullen hosts the second programme in a series of six, which sees comedy magician Pete Firman joined by Countryfile and Watchdog's Julia Bradbury; Barry and Stuart paired with Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood; and World Champion of Magic, Latimer with American icon David Hasselhoff.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 5
star
8.02
102 votes

#5 - Episode 5

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 1/29/2011

Directors: Julian Smith
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 6
star
7.85
59 votes

#6 - Episode 6

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/11/2012

The Magicians returns with more mind-bending magic. Twisted tricksters Barry and Stuart are joined by comedian Ed Byrne; comedy magician Pete Firman is paired with actor and presenter Joe Swash; and world champion of magic, Latimer, is with street dancer, Britain's Got Talent winner and Waterloo Road actor, George Sampson. Each celebrity and their magical mentor perform four spectacular illusions, two of which are live. With the viewers at home voting for their favorite act, the teams must do all they can to impress; the act with the fewest votes faces a death-defying live forfeit. Plus, Dutch illusionist Hans Klok attempts to perform a record-breaking number of tricks in just five minutes.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 1
star
7.84
91 votes

#7 - Episode 1

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/7/2012

The Magicians returns to BBC One with a show-stopping new live format and viewer vote. Presented by Darren McMullen, the first show of the six sees magicians Barry and Stuart paired with stars of Outnumbered, Tyger Drew-Honey and Daniel Roche; World Champion of Magic, Latimer, with Strictly Come Dancing's Flavia Cacace; and comedy magician Pete Firman will be joined by Coronation Street and Boyzone's Keith Duffy.

Directors: Julian Smith
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 4
star
7.72
140 votes

#8 - Episode 4

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 1/22/2011

Lenny Henry hosts as three of the world's greatest magic acts team up with three celebrities to bring us jaw-dropping illusions and classic tricks with a contemporary twist. Illusionist of the decade Luis de Matos is partnered by N'Dubz; winners of Best Comedy Magic Act at the World Comedy Awards, the dark and twisted Barry and Stuart team up with Martin Kemp; and the king of close up magic, Chris Korn, is joined by Rolf Harris. They all perform three magic acts in a bid to impress the studio audience and avoid the fearsome forfeit - who will be tackling the extreme feat of mind over matter this week?

Directors: Julian Smith
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 1
star
7.72
323 votes

#9 - Episode 1

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/1/2011

Incredible illusions, mind-bending magic and classic tricks with contemporary twists, performed by some of the world's best magicians. Performers include illusionist of the decade, Luis De Matos; winners of Best Comedy Illusionists at the World Magic Awards, the dark and twisted Barry and Stuart; and the King of Close-Up Magic, Chris Korn. Each week they will be joined by three different celebrities, and together they will compete to win the studio audience vote and escape the dreaded forfeit trick - an extreme feat of courage, mind over matter and a test of trust. In this episode, the magicians are joined by Ashley Banjo, Bruno Tonioli and Sian Williams.

Directors: Julian Smith
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 2
star
7.72
172 votes

#10 - Episode 2

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/8/2011

Prepare to be amazed as three of the world's best magic acts team up with three celebrities for jaw-dropping illusions and magic tricks with contemporary twists. Lenny Henry hosts as illusionist of the decade Luis de Matos is joined by Peter Jones; Winners of the Best Comedy Illusionist award at the World Magic Awards, the dark and twisted Barry and Stuart, team up with Ade Edmonson; and the king of close-up magic, Chris Korn, is partnered by Amanda Byram. They all perform three magic acts in a bid to impress the studio audience and avoid the dreaded forfeit trick. Who will take on the extreme feat of mind over matter this week?

Directors: Julian Smith
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Episode 3
star
7.63
188 votes

#11 - Episode 3

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/15/2011

Prepare to be dazzled, as Lenny Henry presents three of the world's best magic acts as they are teamed up with three celebrities for awe-inspiring illusions and magic tricks with contemporary twists. Illusionist of the decade Luis de Matos is joined by Chris Tarrant; winners of the Best Comedy Illusionist award at the World Magic Awards, the dark and twisted Barry and Stuart, team up with Stephen K Amos; and the king of close-up magic, Chris Korn, is partnered by Samantha Womack. They all perform three magic acts in a bid to impress the studio audience and avoid the fear-inducing forfeit trick. Who will take on the extreme feat of mind-over-matter?

Directors: Julian Smith
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV