November 12th 2024.
The highly-anticipated second season of BBC drama Wolf Hall has returned to screens after a decade, and fans are ecstatic. Based on Hilary Mantel's bestselling trilogy, the Tudor-era historical drama follows the controversial statesman Thomas Cromwell as he navigates the treacherous court of King Henry VIII. The six-episode finale, based on Mantel's 2020 novel The Mirror and the Light, picks up after the execution of Anne Boleyn and introduces Kate Phillips as Henry's beloved third wife, Jane Seymour.
Despite the 10-year-long wait, eager viewers have not been deterred and have praised the show's excellent quality. One fan on Twitter, @marionjones100, wrote, "Superb. Heartbreaking to see Mary shatter with sorrow and relief. What terrifying lives. The tyranny of Henry, superbly played and responded to, all the more grotesque in these troubled times. Well done all, and thank you."
Many have compared Wolf Hall to a once-in-a-generation television drama that transcends the ordinary. The Mirror and the Light has been a hit among both fans and critics, with @melainehewitt61 adding, "As well as a fine ensemble cast, Wolf Hall features jewel-like performances and inspirational direction. A triumph deluxe."
The standout performance in the show has been credited to Mark Rylance, who portrays Thomas Cromwell with a unique and unpredictable flair. @jerrylatter praised, "An hour in the company of Mark Rylance this evening was hands down the best hour of the day. The genius of his performance is its total unpredictability and understated violence and rage." @feralmother44 also echoed the sentiment, "Simply sublime watching 'The Mirror and The Light' and EP 1 didn't disappoint!"
@alcanlin agreed, adding, "The sadness in Mark Rylance's eyes almost makes me want to weep myself. What Thomas has endured... what he has seen... Wolf Hall possibly the greatest thing you'll ever see." Others, like @brassylassy, shared their disappointment that more people would rather watch reality shows than this magnificent production.
The audience's verdict has been in line with critics, with the second season receiving an impressive 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. The Guardian gave it a five-star review, writing, "Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light covers the last volume and final four years of Cromwell's life. And it does so as beautifully, movingly, and immaculately as before. It is breathtaking."
The Financial Times also gave a glowing review, praising the rich and textured performances, as well as the dynamic direction by Peter Kosminsky. The Times described the show as "sumptuous television," while the Independent hailed it as "bloody good fun."
Despite a few exceptions, the majority of the cast and crew have returned for the second season. Executive producer and director Peter reflected on what it was like getting back behind the Wolf Hall camera after so many years. "For most people involved, this will have felt like returning to something after a significant number of years, but not for me," he told the BBC. "Hilary Mantel was sending me the novel as she was writing it in 100-page instalments. We were having a dialogue before she submitted the novel to the publisher. So, I have been working on this pretty much since we delivered and transmitted the original Wolf Hall series back in 2015. I have never left the show."
He also revealed that while the first season focused on Cromwell's rise to power, the second season delves into his internal struggle to maintain his position, ultimately losing the battle. "It's a more internal story about the debate and battle that's going on in Cromwell's mind," he said.
The first episode of the second season is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer, with a new episode airing every Sunday on BBC One at 9pm. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, you can get in touch with the entertainment team at The Agency by emailing us, calling 020 3615 2145, or visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
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