In 2015, we were treated to Wolf Hall, an adaptation of two of Hilary Mantel’s novels, Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. Now it’s time for a sequel series, and we are more than excited.
The first season of the series followed the downfall of Anne Boleyn, excellently played by Claire Foy before she would become Queen Elizabeth in The Crown. The series finished with one of the most well-known executions in English history, but that’s not where Thomas Cromwell’s story ended.
Now 10 years later, we get to see Mark Rylance return as Thomas Cromwell, as he deals with the next queen, Henry VIII’s growing issues, and more. Can he find a way to keep his head?
When will Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light premiere on PBS?
The sequel series will premiere on Sunday, March 23. It will air at 9/8c on PBS, an hour before the highly anticipated second season of Marie Antoinette.
We’ll get a night of period dramas very soon. The following week sees the return of Call the Midwife, bringing us three hours of historical fiction, with some of it based on real stories of the past.
What to expect the Wolf Hall sequel
The sequel picks up in May 1536, just after the execution of Anne Boleyn. Henry VIII has married his third wife, Jane Seymour, and this one is viewed as legitimate. After all, Catherine of Aragon has died, so the Catholics are back on side with a new wife, and Anne Boleyn has been executed, meaning that the Protestants who supported have nothing to argue about when it comes to legitimacy.
That doesn’t mean it will be an easy ride Henry. His regime is being tested. The Catholics want their religion back, and Henry is fully focused on bringing about Protestantism to England. This includes the abolishment of the monasteries.
The sequel will follow the last four years of Thomas Cromwell’s life. Yes, that’s all that is left for this man. In history, he was executed shortly after Henry VIII was able to annul his marriage to Anne of Cleves and pave the way for his marriage to Katherine Howard. Cromwell isn’t going down without a fight, though. He needs to find a way to navigate the problems that arise with Henry’s changing directions and decision to blame others for his own mistakes. All people can do is find a way to survive, but that doesn’t mean making the best choices.
Miss Scarlet fans will want to check out this sequel series. Kate Phillips stars as Jane Seymour.
Check out the BBC trailer for Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light to see what to expect:
Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light premieres on Sunday, March 23 at 9/8c on PBS.
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