Sir Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis return in first look at Wolf Hall sequel

By Staff reporter
Published 3rd Apr 2024, 14:00 BST
Updated 3rd Apr 2024, 14:05 BST
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Sir Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis return as Thomas Cromwell and King Henry VIII in first-look images from Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light.

The BBC drama, based on Hilary Mantel’s final novel in her epic Tudor trilogy, will see stars such as Dame Harriet Walter and Timothy Spall join the cast.placeholder image
The BBC drama, based on Hilary Mantel’s final novel in her epic Tudor trilogy, will see stars such as Dame Harriet Walter and Timothy Spall join the cast.

Slow Horses actor Sir Jonathan Pryce returns as Cardinal Wolsey while Peaky Blinders’ Kate Phillips reprises her role as Jane Seymour.

Killing Eve’s Dame Harriet will play Lady Margaret Pole while Mr Turner actor Spall will play the Duke of Norfolk.placeholder image
Killing Eve’s Dame Harriet will play Lady Margaret Pole while Mr Turner actor Spall will play the Duke of Norfolk.

The Queen’s Gambit stars Harry Melling and Thomas Brodie-Sangster appear as Thomas Wriothesley and Rafe Sadler respectively.

The first series of Wolf Hall, released in 2015, won the Bafta for best drama series while Sir Mark was named best actor.placeholder image
The first series of Wolf Hall, released in 2015, won the Bafta for best drama series while Sir Mark was named best actor.

Claire Foy, who played Anne Boleyn, was also nominated for a gong.

The new series, which opens in May 1536 after the execution of Queen Anne, sees the return of director Peter Kosminsky, who helmed the first outing.placeholder image
The new series, which opens in May 1536 after the execution of Queen Anne, sees the return of director Peter Kosminsky, who helmed the first outing.

The new series will see Henry’s scheming adviser Cromwell, a man with only his wits to rely on, emerge from the bloodbath after Anne is beheaded and continue to climb to power.

Meanwhile, Henry enjoys short-lived happiness with his third queen, Jane Seymour.placeholder image
Meanwhile, Henry enjoys short-lived happiness with his third queen, Jane Seymour.

The six-part series will trace the final four years of Cromwell’s life, completing his journey from self-made man to the most feared, influential figure of his time.

The Mirror And The Light was published in 2020 and followed Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies.

The trilogy charts the rise and fall of Cromwell,  who rose to incredible wealth and influence as Henry’s closest adviser and was one of the most powerful proponents of the English Reformation.placeholder image
The trilogy charts the rise and fall of Cromwell,  who rose to incredible wealth and influence as Henry’s closest adviser and was one of the most powerful proponents of the English Reformation.

It was the final novel published in Mantel’s lifetime, before her death in 2022 at the age of 70.

Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light will air on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK.

Series one is available to watch on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

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