Tag: Anne Boleyn

Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light – Episode 2 Obedience

“The King never does an unpleasant thing. Lord Cromwell does it for him.” — Queen Jane

Episode 2 Obedience opens with a refresher from the first series reminding us of Cardinal Wolsey’s fall. When Wolsey is forced to go to Yorkshire, Cromwell, Wolsey’s most trusted man, chooses to stay in London. Here is my detailed review of Wolf Hall  Episode 2: Entirely Beloved focusing on Cromwell working his ass of to get under Henry’s skin. There are rumors about him that he is now serving himself, not the Cardinal; but Cromwell’s ultimate goal is to become the King’s most trusted servant and persuade him to have Wolsey reinstated as the Lord Chancellor. Continue reading “Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light – Episode 2 Obedience”

Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light – Episode 1 Wreckage

“So, good Privy Seal, as you love me and love my service, you will bring this matter to a conclusion.”

– Henry VIII

I have said it before and will say it again. Wolf Hall is the best thing that has happened to TV. It is a slow-cooking, dark, witty political drama with a contemporary feel. Peter Straughan’s script is wonderfully condensed, with most of the conversation coming directly from Mantel’s pen. Hearing some of the best lines I have ever read spoken by the characters is delightful. Peter Kosminsky’s directing is flawless. Every shot feels like a painting. And while some characters needed to be recast, the continuity is beyond impressive that you don’t feel the nine-year interval between the two productions. Mark Rylance is as nuanced as ever as Thomas Cromwell, and Damian Lewis is quietly terrifying as Henry VIII. And while the two leads are electric together, the entire cast gives a masterclass in acting. So yes, the long wait is entirely worth it. Now, let’s get to it. Continue reading “Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light – Episode 1 Wreckage”

What to Expect When We Are Expecting “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light” *UPDATED*

“Your Majesty is the only prince. The mirror and the light of other kings.”

Henry repeats the phrase as if cherishing it: the mirror and the light. (Excerpt from The Mirror and The Light)

The long wait is over, well, almost… Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light is coming to BBC on November 10, 2024, and PBS on March 23, 2025. The episodes will drop weekly. I can’t wait to do weekly recaps!

And, ladies and gentlemen, here is the official trailer: Continue reading “What to Expect When We Are Expecting “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light” *UPDATED*”

What to Expect When We Are Expecting “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light”

“Your Majesty is the only prince. The mirror and the light of other kings.”

Henry repeats the phrase as if cherishing it: the mirror and the light. (Excerpt from The Mirror and The Light)

UPDATE October 30, 2024: The long wait is over, well almost… Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light is coming to BBC at on November 10, 2024 and PBS on March 23, 2025. The episodes will drop weekly.

And, ladies and gentlemen, here is the official trailer: Continue reading “What to Expect When We Are Expecting “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light””

TOP Damian Lewis Moments 2023: The Return of King Henry VIII

“Henry VIII is a monster, but he’s our monster. No other nation has a king who had six wives and cut the heads off two. We’re perversely proud of Henry.” – Hilary Mantel

I left the following wish on the Fan Fun 8th anniversary post last January:

“BBC confirmed that they would adapt The Mirror and The Light, the final volume in Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy, for TV as early as in May 2019. The Guardian reported that the BBC adaptation will see director Peter Kosminsky and screenwriter Peter Straughan resuming their partnership from 2015. Mark Rylance has announced in March 2022 that he was to reprise his role as Thomas Cromwell and that he hoped for a 2023 date to start the production. And we are hoping to hear that Damian will resume his role as Henry VIII. Hilary Mantel’s untimely death in 2022 left me heartbroken since she is my favorite author and it sucks to know that I will not be able to look forward to her new book. But I returned to The Mirror and The Light and read it in her memory. It is the perfect ending  to Mantel’s fantastic trilogy.”

And, finally, in an interview with Natalie Boare of ITV News ahead of his Brighton gig late September, Damian shared the news that he would start filming The Mirror and The Light soon! See the interview in its entirety here and repeat after me: LONG LIVE THE KING!   Continue reading “TOP Damian Lewis Moments 2023: The Return of King Henry VIII”