Talk:Lankester Merrin

As a fictional character,the only available 'in universe' information regarding nationality are hints in Blatty's novel (Ireland) and in Friedkin's interpretation (also - and very clearly - Ireland). Does anyone have anything to add or subtract regarding this issue? 109.148.126.158 (talk) 20:53, 23 June 2023 (UTC)

Why is Merrin’s nationality listed as “Irish”? Blatty’s novel states that he was born in the Netherlands to a Dutch father and an English mother and the movie never states that he is from Ireland. 2601:84:847F:2DF0:1C4C:B0F1:7962:C0CA (talk) 01:45, 27 October 2023 (UTC)

I agree it is somewhat problematic, but in the film he is very obviously depicted as Irish; so Irish in fact that it was the frequent subject of other film and TV spoofs. It should be noted that other sources state he is "Dutch-Irish" in the prequels. The film is of course a separate matter from the book (they usually are), but since Merrin is undoubtedly recognised by a global audience from the film, rather than the book, I think it may be wiser to not upset the apple-cart and list him as Irish. Warsaw73 (talk) 21:23, 6 December 2025 (UTC)

Is the character in any way inspired by the British archaeologist Gerald Lankester Harding who worked in Jordan for many years? (and I think Iraq). The spelling of Lankester is pretty unusual. ~2026-36037-9 (talk) 08:32, 17 January 2026 (UTC)

Not by much.

Lankester was simply a British archaeologist. Blatty may have been inspired by the connection between voodoo in the Levant and decided to connect it with events in Georgetown, though I doubt Lankester's life had anything to do with events in either the book or the film.

The name may have been borrowed, but I am not certain even that can be proven.

It is certainly not much of a connection. ~2026-58013-9 (talk) 23:24, 26 January 2026 (UTC)