Tag: Hilary Mantel

My Decade Long “Wolf Hall” Journey Came Full Circle

Henry VIII is a monster, but he’s our monster. We’re perversely proud of Henry. -Hilary Mantel

My decade-long Wolf Hall journey came full circle at the BAFTA TV Awards on Sunday. It was especially lovely to see that it was a true family affair for Damian — his daughter Manon, his son Gully, and his father, Mr. Watcyn Lewis, were all there to support our favorite guy. And I couldn’t help but be moved seeing the two kids who once adorably called the Emmy Award “Emma” now grown into such poised, beautiful young adults. I just love this family.

I’ll be honest — I always dreamed, perhaps selfishly, that my Wolf Hall journey would come full circle with Damian receiving one of those iconic masks for his phenomenal portrayal of Henry VIII in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light. That recognition wasn’t in the cards. But my decade-long Wolf Hall journey has been nothing short of magical and so all is good.

What follows is my way of saying thank you. To everyone behind and in front of the camera: thank you for bringing us the sharpest, smartest, most brilliant historical drama ever made.

THANK YOU.

Continue reading “My Decade Long “Wolf Hall” Journey Came Full Circle”

Damian Lewis as Henry VIII in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light

“It seems fairly redundant to say “Damian Lewis is a good actor”, but, well, here we are: his Henry is outstanding, the biggest guy in the room in name and stature if not ever actual presence, something flawed in the hull and he knows it.”

– The Guardian

Wolf Hall is one of the best things that ever happened to TV. A slow-cooking, dark, and witty political drama, it has 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.  The entire cast gives a masterclass in acting. Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis, as the two leads, are electric together. Thus, the long wait was entirely worth it.

Continue reading “Damian Lewis as Henry VIII in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light”

Lady Tudors’ Fun Facts About Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light – Ep 6 Light

Welcome back to Court and to the final episode of “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light”

We have come to episode six, Light, and this may be my favorite of the entire two seasons. This episode did something I did not think was possible – make me feel sympathy for Thomas Cromwell. This series did what I feel the books did not do – show that Cromwell did feel remorse or at least questioned the actions he took to stay at the top of Henry’s good graces. As someone who is an “Anne Stan” I will always have a negative opinion of the real Cromwell. The absolute horrible lies he created to take Anne Boleyn down are unforgiveable. Yes, Henry tasked him to help him put Anne aside, but to manufacture the tales of her sleeping with basically every man at Court (and an incestuous relationship with her brother George) was overkill. He had to know that this was going to lead to the death of six innocent people. One can only imagine that is exactly what he wanted. Continue reading “Lady Tudors’ Fun Facts About Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light – Ep 6 Light”

Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light – Episode 6 Light

“Valentines, sorceries, purple doublets. Any jury would laugh you out of the court. But then there won’t be a jury, will there?” – Thomas Cromwell

No jury. No trial. Only an interrogation team, perfectly convinced about Thomas Cromwell being a traitor, asking ridiculous questions. And an Act of Attainder which Cromwell himself also used against others.

Upon arresting him, Kingston brings Cromwell to the Tower, to the very room that Cromwell himself built for Anne Boleyn before her coronation. It is also the same room the late queen spent her days before her execution. Now, in  his solitary confinement, it is inevitable for Cromwell to reflect on his past. And characters from that past, varying from Anne Boleyn to Cardinal Wolsey to Dorothea to the French executioner haunt his dreams. Continue reading “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light – Episode 6 Light”

Lady Tudors’ Fun Facts About Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light – Ep 5 Mirror

Welcome back to Court and to episode five of “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light”

This episode is called “Mirror”, and I can only think that is because what Henry saw in the mirror of Anne of Cleves’ eyes was something that shook him to the core.

This week I want to focus on Anne of Cleves and her marriage to Henry. I have always had a soft-spot for Anne of Cleves; I can only imagine what it felt like coming to a country where you did not know anyone, did not speak the language, and did not know any of the customs but were expected to be its Queen. Continue reading “Lady Tudors’ Fun Facts About Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light – Ep 5 Mirror”