WOLF HALL SERIES SEQUEL
THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT
Although I found Wolf Hall series a dreary borefest I am sure some of you will rejoice hearing that is getting a second and final season from BBC based on Hilary Mantel's THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT novel. Mark Rylance will reprise his role as Thomas Cromwell, while Damian Lewis will again reign as King Henry VIII, with Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Wolsey, in 
the story about 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 story picks up exactly where Wolf Hall ended, with the execution of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, who was played rather unsuccessfully by the wooden Claire Foy. The series will air on PBS Masterpiece.
the story about 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 story picks up exactly where Wolf Hall ended, with the execution of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, who was played rather unsuccessfully by the wooden Claire Foy. The series will air on PBS Masterpiece.
While this isn't my type of show, I just finished Billions and I loved Damian Lewis in that show. He's a great actor.
ReplyDeleteHe has always been great indeed. He's gone off my radar in recent years as I did not watch those shows he starred in, but I do miss him.
DeleteWell we waited long. They had to wait until Dame Hilary was gone to do it. I loved the acting, but i didn't like the novels. I didn't like her whitewashing of a man like Cromwell that instituted a police state in Britain.
ReplyDeleteWhat did you love about the acting cause I remember finding Rylance dreary, unlikeable and dull and Foy atrocious as always. I also do not like the actress that plays Seymour, I will defo skip this one.
DeleteI wrote a long article on why I like and dislike Wolf Hall. Won’t force you to read it. I’ll try to abbreviate it. Know that I’m not trying to convince you, just answering your question.
DeleteDame Hillary Mantel hated all the characters in her book barring Cromwell and Cardinal Wolsey She turned the latter (a corrupt and greedy individual) into a fragile victim. James Frain played Cromwell in The Tudors as a dynamic force yet sincere in his desire for reform. Mantel’s Cromwell is embittered by infantile resentment. I can understand you do not like Sir Mark for being old and not attractive, but he is a great character actor. I adored him in Bridge of Spies so it was hard to stomach Cromwell. That at times I could like him speaks volumes of the actor who played him.
Foy’s Anne was a shrilling bitch just like Mantel wanted. She was darker than any Boleyn played by the Natalies. I hated her with passion and was so flabbergasted when I saw Claire in The Crown “Wait! Is this the same girl?”
Difficult for me to be objective about Damien. He was my flavor of the month for almost five years. Having a crush on him helped me at a trying time that kept me in and out of hospital. His Henry was an interesting turn in his career.
Anton Lesser was anything like the real Thomas More, but he played him as Dame Hillary wished, a fanatical, repellent old man.
Joanne Whalley was the snarkiest Catherine of Aragon I have ever seen, and yet that comes from the book also.
Agreed, Seymour was meek and a bit sneaky, but she is insignificant. Cromwell says so when delirious calling her “plain and insignificant”. It’s a different Kate Phillips, not the one that plays Miss Scarlett.
I truly loved Charity Wakefield as Mary Boleyn. My favorite character. Killed me that she’s never given such a good role again. Got me researching Mary.
I also liked Jessica Raines, so unlike her Jenny in Call the Midwife. I shared her hatred for Anne.
Cannot stand female writers like Mantel who put their own agenda into illogical places and change reality for the sake of it. I have not seen Damien since Band of Bross and Forsyte Saga methinks.
DeleteI did not watch the first season and it sounds like that was for the best. Hopefully for those who did, this one will be better.
ReplyDeleteI could not digest it, quit after the first episode.
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