Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light

Last updated

Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light
Genre Historical drama
Based on The Mirror & the Light
by Hilary Mantel
Written by Peter Straughan
Directed by Peter Kosminsky
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
  • Colin Callender
  • Noëlette Buckley
  • Peter Kosminsky
  • Lucy Richer
  • Susanne Simpson
ProducerLisa Osbounre
Production companies Company Pictures
Playground

Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light is an upcoming historical drama television series. It is a second adaptation by Peter Straughan of the Wolf Hall novels by Hilary Mantel and covers The Mirror & the Light , the final novel in the trilogy. It has Peter Kosminsky returning to direct, Mark Rylance returning in the lead role of Thomas Cromwell, and Peter Straughan returning to write from the 2015 series Wolf Hall .

Contents

Premise

The series begins with Thomas Cromwell navigating the Tudor court in the aftermath of the 1536 execution of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn, and the monarch about to marry his third wife, Jane Seymour. [1]

Cast

Production

In March 2022, Mark Rylance confirmed that a second series was in development with scripts being worked on for six episodes and Peter Kosminsky set to return as director. [2] Hilary Mantel was acting as consultant on the script adaptation at the time of her death in September 2022. Kominsky, who worked closely with Mantel on the first series and had received installments of the original text as Mantel was writing the third installment of her historical trilogy, released in 2020, said that the series would continue as a "memorial" to the author. [3] Peter Straughan has again adapted the book for the series, as he had in season one, Playground and Company Pictures producing once more. [4] In November 2023, it was reported that broadcaster's Masterpiece PBS and the BBC were set to begin production on the series. [5] It is produced by Lisa Osborne and executive produced by Colin Callender and Noëlette Buckley for Playground, Kosminsky, Lucy Richer for the BBC and Susanne Simpson for Masterpiece. [6]

Casting

As well as Mark Rylance returning as Thomas Cromwell, Damian Lewis also returns as King Henry VIII and Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Wolsey. Kate Phillips will also reprise her role as Henry VIII's third wife, Jane Seymour, with Lilit Lesser as Princess Mary. [7] The following month it was reported that Timothy Spall, Harriet Walter and Harry Melling had been added to the cast, [8] as well as Will Tudor, Will Keen and Viola Prettejohn. [9] The casting of the courtiers was more diverse for Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. [10]

The casting of Egyptian-British Amir El-Masry as Thomas Wyatt was criticized by Wyatt's descendant, journalist Petronella Wyatt.

Filming

Filming got underway in late 2023. [11] Filming was reported at Berkeley Castle in February 2024. [12] The following month, filming took place at Wells Cathedral. [13]

Broadcast

The series is reportedly set to arrive in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in late 2024 or early 2025. [14]

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References

  1. ↑ Lewis, Isobel (20 November 2023). "BBC Wolf Hall team to reunite for Hilary Mantel's The Mirror and the Light, final book of Cromwell Trilogy". Independent. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "Mark Rylance confirms sequel to Wolf Hall adaptation". RTE. Press Association. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  3. ↑ Ravindran, Manori (23 September 2022). "Hilary Mantel's 'The Mirror and the Light' BBC Adaptation Will Continue as a 'Memorial' to Great British Author (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  4. ↑ O'Rourke, Ryan (20 November 2023). "Damian Lewis and Mark Rylance Return for 'Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light'". Collider. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  5. ↑ "'Wolf Hall: The Mirror And the Light': Masterpiece & BBC To Begin Production On Hilary Mantel Adaptation Starring Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis". Deadline Hollywood. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  6. ↑ Brew, Caroline; Thompson, Jaden; Wu, Valerie (20 November 2023). "Damian Lewis, Jonathan Pryce and Mark Rylance Return to 'Wolf Hall' for Final Chapter (TV News Roundup)". Variety. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  7. ↑ Porter, Rick (20 November 2023). "'Wolf Hall' Sequel With Damian Lewis, Mark Rylance Sets Production Start for PBS, BBC". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  8. ↑ White, Peter (4 December 2023). "Harriet Walter, Timothy Spall & Harry Melling Join BBC & Masterpiece's 'Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  9. ↑ "Cast named for the return of Wolf Hall". Televisial. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  10. ↑ Faber, Alex (3 April 2024). "BBC's Wolf Hall returns to TV screens with diverse cast of courtiers". The Times. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  11. ↑ Jessop, Vicky (4 December 2023). "Wolf Hall: Mark Rylance and star-studded cast return for final series, plus Harriet Walter and Timothy Spall". Evening Standard. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  12. ↑ Horton, Kim (8 February 2024). "TV crews spotted at Berkeley Castle amid BBC Wolf Hall filming speculation". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  13. ↑ "Filming for BBC drama rumoured to be Wolf Hall in Wells". Somerset County Gazette. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
  14. ↑ Knight, Lewis (21 November 2023). "Wolf Hall season 2: Release date speculation, cast, plot, latest news". Radio Times. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
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