Tag: Thomas Cromwell

Happy Birthday, Henry VIII: Revisiting Damian Lewis in Wolf Hall

“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

source: BBC
source: BBC

Welcome to year 1535! In the most delightful deleted scene in Wolf Hall,  King Henry declares his age to the women in Thomas Cromwell’s household: “45 in June…”

Well, Henry is 530 years old today and popular as ever — to quote Damian Lewis:

“Henry, as a brand, is right up there with Coca Cola!”

I don’t think anyone can deny the recent contributions of Hilary Mantel’s brilliant work Wolf Hall & Bring up the Bodies — the books, the play and the TV drama to Henry’s as well as Tudors’ popularity in general! Mantel’s final installment in Thomas Cromwell series The Mirror and The Light is finally out and BBC has already confirmed they will adapt The Mirror and The Light  as a sequel to the Golden-Globe winning Wolf Hall. We are hoping Damian Lewis and Mark Rylance will resume their roles as Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell, respectively, in the new mini-series.

And now, in celebration of King Henry’s birthday, it is my utmost pleasure to re-visit the most memorable Henry moments in Wolf Hall TV Drama.

Long Live the King! Continue reading “Happy Birthday, Henry VIII: Revisiting Damian Lewis in Wolf Hall”

Damian Lewis Created a Monster

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I’ll admit to not being the most educated person. I spent most of high school just trying to pass the time and get out with a diploma. I wasn’t a bad student, but when you decide on beauty school in your sophomore year, suddenly AP History and three hours a night of homework seem kind of like a waste of time. And I certainly didn’t spend my two study halls a day reading up on history, math or science. Now, as an adult, I am revisiting these subjects with a newly-found appreciation. I am learning things as a 36 year old woman that most people learn in high school. The history of The Tudors has been my newest interest, and I have Wolf Hall to thank for opening me up to something new. Continue reading “Damian Lewis Created a Monster”

Throwback Thursday to Damian Lewis’ “very own ‘Enry”

The long wait is over! Hilary Mantel’s third and final volume of Wolf Hall series “The Mirror and The Light” is out in the UK today and will be released in the US on March 10. And BBC has announced that the TV adaptation of the new Wolf Hall volume is in works. So as I cannot wait to hold “my precious” in my hands in a couple of days, and see Damian Lewis wear the crown again soon-ish, I think all these news deserve a special celebration!

And so… here is the sweet story behind Damian’s “very own ‘Enry” from Knitting Witch UK! Continue reading “Throwback Thursday to Damian Lewis’ “very own ‘Enry””

Throwback Thursday to a Special Gift from Knitting Witch to Damian Lewis

Now that Damian tweeted about his lovely gift, his “very own Enry” from Knitting Witch UK, I would love to share the story behind the tweet with you. Denise, I am thrilled that your work is being appreciated by many, and I am proud to call you a friend. Keep knitting, my lovely witch!

Continue reading “Throwback Thursday to a Special Gift from Knitting Witch to Damian Lewis”

The Crows are circling

Wolfhall seems an awful long time ago to me. I saw it when it aired in the UK at the beginning of the year. Therefore the run up to the Emmys provided the perfect excuse for a re-watch and I continue our countdown to the Emmys by looking specifically at the episode for which Damian has been nominated (Wolf Hall, episode five, ‘Crows’) in the best supporting actor for ‘TV Movie or Limited series’ category.

source: BBC
source: BBC

The first question to ask is why episode five? Damian’s performances across the five episodes he is in – he only appears briefly at the end of episode one – are all very solid and any one of them could easily be the one up for nomination.

Some people complained that episode one was too slow paced, but if you had the patience to stay with it you get the reward. Think of Wolfhall as a pot slowly simmering to a boil. Episode five is when Wolfhall begins to come to the boil in readiness for a finale in episode six which will sear itself into our minds. Episode five simmers and crackles. It begins to reach the point of boiling over…and that isn’t the pot lid threatening to blow off that is the King with steam coming out of his ears! Continue reading “The Crows are circling”