Wolf Hall (2015)
A masterful BBC historical drama charting Thomas Cromwell's dangerous ascent through the court of Henry VIII, adapted from Hilary Mantel's celebrated Tudor trilogy.
Wolf Hall - Series Information
- Original Title: Wolf Hall
- First Air Year: 2015
- Last Air Year: 2024
- Created by: Peter Straughan, Peter Kosminsky et al.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 12
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: January 21, 2015 (United Kingdom - 15), January 21, 2015 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: BBC One, BBC Two
- Alternative Titles: ウルフ･ホール 愛と陰謀のイングランド (JP), 狼厅 (CN), Wölfe (DE), Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light (UK)
- Production Companies: Company Pictures, Playground Entertainment
- Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
Wolf Hall - Plot
England in the 1520s is a heartbeat from disaster. If the King dies without a male heir, the country could be destroyed by civil war. Henry VIII wants to annul his marriage of twenty years and marry Anne Boleyn. The Pope and most of Europe oppose him. Into this impasse steps Thomas Cromwell: a wholly original man, a charmer, and a bully, both idealist and opportunist, astute in reading people, and implacable in his ambition. But Henry is volatile: one day tender, one day murderous. Cromwell helps him break the opposition, but what will be the price of his triumph?
Wolf Hall - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at the Tudor world of Wolf Hall:
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Wolf Hall - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Peter Straughan
- Peter Kosminsky
- Hilary Mantel
Main Cast
- Mark Rylance
- Damian Lewis
- Thomas Brodie-Sangster
- Joss Porter
- Claire Foy
- Kate Phillips
- Richard Dillane
- Will Keen
- Jonathan Pryce
- Hannah Steele
Writers
- Peter Straughan
Executive Producers
- Noëlette Buckley
- Polly Hill
- Colin Callender
- Rebecca Eaton
- Susanne Simpson
Wolf Hall - FAQs
Is Wolf Hall based on a true story?
Wolf Hall is based on Hilary Mantel's Booker Prize-winning novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, along with The Mirror and the Light. The story draws on real historical events from Tudor England, depicting Thomas Cromwell's actual rise and fall in the court of Henry VIII during the 1520s–1540s.
Who are the main actors in Wolf Hall?
Wolf Hall stars Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell and Damian Lewis as Henry VIII. The ensemble cast also includes Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn, Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Wolsey, Kate Phillips as Jane Seymour, Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Rafe Sadler, and Will Keen as Thomas Cranmer.
How many seasons does Wolf Hall have?
Wolf Hall has two seasons totalling 12 episodes. Season 1 consists of 6 episodes adapting the first two Mantel novels, while Season 2, subtitled The Mirror and the Light, comprises a further 6 episodes covering the final chapter of Thomas Cromwell's story.
Is Wolf Hall worth watching?
Wolf Hall is widely regarded as one of the finest British historical dramas ever made. Critics praised Mark Rylance's extraordinary performance as Cromwell and the series' meticulous production design. It holds a near-perfect critical score on Rotten Tomatoes and won multiple BAFTA and Emmy Awards.
What is Wolf Hall about?
Wolf Hall depicts the rise of Thomas Cromwell, a blacksmith's son who becomes Henry VIII's most powerful advisor. Set in 1520s–1540s England, it explores political intrigue, religious upheaval, and personal ambition as Cromwell navigates the king's volatile desires, including his pursuit of Anne Boleyn and the break with Rome.
Did Wolf Hall win any awards?
Wolf Hall was a major awards success. It won four BAFTA Television Awards including Best Drama Series and Best Actor for Mark Rylance, and received multiple Emmy nominations. The second season, The Mirror and the Light, continued to earn critical acclaim and further awards recognition upon its 2024 broadcast.
Where to watch Wolf Hall in the US?
Wolf Hall is available to stream in the United States on PBS and PBS Masterpiece via the Amazon Channel, as well as on WETA+. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. KQED offers ad-supported viewing.
When did Wolf Hall first air?
Wolf Hall first aired on January 21, 2015, on BBC Two in the United Kingdom. The second season, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, premiered in 2024 on BBC One, completing the adaptation of Hilary Mantel's celebrated trilogy nearly a decade after the original series debuted.
More About Wolf Hall
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