Shardlake (TV series)

Last updated

Shardlake
Genre Mystery
Crime drama
Period drama
Based on Shardlake series
by C. J. Sansom
Screenplay by Stephen Butchard
Directed by Justin Chadwick
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
  • Lee Mason
  • George Ormond
  • Mark Pybus
  • Stevie Lee
ProducerJohn Griffin
CinematographyFelix Cramer
Production companies
  • The Forge
  • Runaway Fridge
Original release
Network Disney+

Shardlake is an upcoming television series on Disney+, based on the Shardlake series of historical mystery novels by C. J. Sansom, set in the reign of Henry VIII in the 16th century. The series is adapted by Stephen Butchard and directed by Justin Chadwick and produced by The Forge. Arthur Hughes stars as the eponymous Matthew Shardlake, alongside Sean Bean as Thomas Cromwell.

Contents

Synopsis

During the dissolution of the monasteries in the Tudor era, Matthew Shardlake is sent by Thomas Cromwell to investigate the death of a commissioner in the remote town of Scarnsea. [1]

Cast

Production

Background

Author C.J. Sansom granted the rights to his first Matthew Shardlake novel, Dissolution, to producer Stevie Lee in 2003. Lee initially planned planned to make a film with Kenneth Branagh. In 2007, the BBC optioned the novels, with Branagh still attached. However, they prioritised their production of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall and Branagh shifted focus to Wallander instead. Later discussions with ITV did not materialise into a production. [2]

In January 2023 it was announced that Disney+ had greenlit an adaptation of the Shardlake novels to be produced by The Forge, part of Banijay. [3] The series consisting of four episodes is directed by Justin Chadwick from a script written by Stephen Butchard. John Griffin is producing the series, with executive producers George Ormond and Mark Pybus for The Forge, Stevie Lee for Runaway Fridge, and Lee Mason for Disney+. [4] [5]

Casting

Arthur Hughes was confirmed in the role of Shardlake. [6] Sean Bean was confirmed in the role of Thomas Cromwell. [7] In February 2024 Irfan Shamji, David Pearse, Miles Barrow, Mike Noble and Kimberley Nixon were confirmed in the cast. [8] The cast also includes Babou Ceesay, Paul Kaye, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, Peter Firth, Matthew Steer, Brian Vernel, [9] and Joe Barber. [10]

Filming

By March 2023 principal photography had begun with filming locations including Hungary, Romania and Austria. [11] For the monastery, they used Hunedoara Castle, in Transylvania, and Kreuzenstein Castle, outside Vienna. [2]

Broadcast

The series will be available on Disney+ from 1 May 2024. [12]

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<i>Dissolution</i> (Sansom novel) 2003 novel by C. J. Sansom

Dissolution (2003) is a historical mystery novel by British author C. J. Sansom. It is Sansom's first published novel, and the first in the Matthew Shardlake Series. It was dramatised by BBC Radio 4 in 2012.

<i>Dark Fire</i> (Sansom novel) 2004 novel by C. J. Sansom

Dark Fire is a historical mystery novel by British author C. J. Sansom. It is Sansom's second novel, released in 2004, and also the second in the Matthew Shardlake Series. Set in the 16th century during the reign of Tudor King Henry VIII, it follows hunchbacked lawyer Shardlake's search to recover the long-lost formula for Greek fire.

<i>Sovereign</i> (Sansom novel) 2006 novel by C J Sansom

Sovereign, published in 2006, is a historical mystery novel by British author C. J. Sansom. It is Sansom's fourth novel and the third in the Matthew Shardlake Series. Set in the 16th century during the reign of King Henry VIII, it follows hunchbacked lawyer Matthew Shardlake and his assistant, Jack Barak as they investigate a series of murders and a plot to question the legitimacy of the line of succession to the English throne.

<i>Revelation</i> (Sansom novel) 2008 novel by C. J. Sansom

Revelation is a historical mystery novel by British author C. J. Sansom. It is Sansom's fifth novel, and the fourth in the Matthew Shardlake Series. Set in 1543 during the reign of King Henry VIII, it follows hunchbacked lawyer Shardlake and his assistant, Jack Barak as they hunt the killer of a fellow lawyer - who turns out to be a religiously fanatic serial killer, insane but highly intelligent and capable.

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The Shardlake series is a series of historical mystery novels by C. J. Sansom, set in 16th century Tudor England. The series features barrister Matthew Shardlake, who, while navigating the religious reforms of Henry VIII, solves crime and tries to avoid getting caught up in political intrigue.

<i>Lamentation</i> (novel) 2014 novel by C. J. Sansom

Lamentation is a historical mystery novel by British author C. J. Sansom. It is his eighth novel and the sixth entry in the Matthew Shardlake Series, following 2010's Heartstone. Set in the summer of 1546, King Henry VIII is dying while the Catholic and Protestant factions of his court are battling for power over his successor, Prince Edward. Matthew Shardlake is deep in work and still feeling the shock of the events of the previous year when Queen Catherine Parr, caught in the throes of the power struggle, again seeks his aid when a potentially controversial manuscript, Lamentation of a Sinner, is stolen from her chambers.

<i>Tombland</i> 2018 novel by C. J. Sansom

Tombland is a historical mystery novel by British author C. J. Sansom. It is the seventh book in the Matthew Shardlake series, following 2014's Lamentation. Set in the summer of 1549, the story deals with the investigation of a murder in Norfolk. Matthew Shardlake is entrusted by Princess Elizabeth, later Elizabeth I, to investigate the murder of the wife of a distant relative of hers. During the course of the investigation Shardlake gets involved in Kett's Rebellion.

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Thomas Cromwell was Chief Minister to King Henry VIII of England from 1534 to 1540. He played a prominent role in the important events of Henry's reign, including the king's divorce from Catherine of Aragon, the execution of Anne Boleyn, the marriage to Anne of Cleves, the Dissolution of the monasteries, and the English Reformation. These dramatic events have provided the inspiration for plays, novels and films from shortly after his death until modern times.

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References

  1. ↑ Dray, Kayleigh (30 March 2023). "A Tudor murder mystery drama starring Sean Bean? Shardlake sounds like perfect TV, honestly". Stylist. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  2. 1 2 Hoggard, Liz (13 April 2024). "'It's taken a Tudor lifetime to get it made': How Shardlake finally got the TV treatment". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  3. ↑ "Banijay UK acquires leading scripted producer The Forge". Banijay. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ↑ Kanter, Jake (4 January 2023). "Disney+ Lines Up Series Adaptation Of CJ Sansom's Shardlake Tudor Detective Novels". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  5. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (31 March 2023). "Disney+ Sets Series Adaptation of C.J. Sansom's 'Shardlake' Murder Mystery Novels". Variety. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  6. ↑ Buglass, Lucy (31 March 2023). "Shardlake first look reveals major change from book series". Whattowatch. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  7. ↑ Body, Jamie (31 March 2023). "Game of Thrones star Sean Bean lands Disney+ murder mystery role". Digital Spy. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  8. ↑ Mensah, Katelyn. "Shardlake trailer gives first look at Arthur Hughes, Sean Bean and Anthony Boyle". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  9. ↑ Whittock, Jesse (8 February 2024). "Disney+ Drops Trailer For Tudor Detective Series 'Shardlake' Starring Arthur Hughes, Sean Bean & Anthony Boyle". Deadline Hollywood.
  10. ↑ Cornack, Morgan (18 March 2024). "Coma cast: Who stars in the Channel 5 drama". Radio Times. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  11. ↑ Hibbs, James (31 March 2023). "Arthur Hughes and Sean Bean to lead Disney Plus Tudor mystery Shardlake". Radio Times. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  12. ↑ Rowan, Iona (10 April 2024). "Sean Bean's new show confirms release date". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
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