But the fact that they did is what makes it so popular, what makes it endure, what pushes it and its characters and ships up the list in the fandom metrics each year. The actors took it seriously, they left an amazing legacy, particularly Colin Morgan and Bradley James. Even the devastation of the ending couldn’t break the fandom apart because it was sad, but it was so well done you almost didn’t mind. And that’s why a show which ended eight years ago is still so strong in the hearts of so many people.