"The Tudors" (2007)TV series

Creator:

Michael Hirst

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

2007 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History | Romance

Tagline:

Prepare for Reign

Plot:

A dramatic series about the reign and marriages of King Henry VIII.

Plot Keywords:

Court | 16th Century | Husband Wife Relationship | 1500s | Palace Intrigue

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 10 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Jonathan Rhys Meyers	...	King Henry VIII (20 episodes, 2007-2008)
Henry Cavill	...	Charles Brandon (20 episodes, 2007-2008)
Natalie Dormer	...	Anne Boleyn (20 episodes, 2007-2008)
Nick Dunning	...	Thomas Boleyn (20 episodes, 2007-2008)
Maria Doyle Kennedy	...	Queen Katherine / ... (17 episodes, 2007-2008)
James Frain	...	Thomas Cromwell (16 episodes, 2007-2008)
Padraic Delaney	...	George Boleyn (16 episodes, 2007-2008)
Jeremy Northam	...	Sir Thomas More (15 episodes, 2007-2008)
Jamie Thomas King	...	Thomas Wyatt (14 episodes, 2007-2008)
Anthony Brophy	...	Chapuys (12 episodes, 2007-2008)
John Kavanagh	...	Cardinal Campeggio (11 episodes, 2007-2008)
Sam Neill	...	Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (10 episodes, 2007)
Callum Blue	...	Anthony Knivert / ... (10 episodes, 2007)
Henry Czerny	...	Norfolk (10 episodes, 2007)
Hans Matheson	...	Thomas Cranmer (10 episodes, 2008)
Guy Carleton	...	Chamberlain (10 episodes, 2007-2008)
Joe Van Moyland	...	Thomas Tallis (9 episodes, 2007)
James Gilbert	...	William Brereton (9 episodes, 2008)

Country:

Ireland | Canada | USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

Czech Republic:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13 | Hungary:16

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios - Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company:

Bórd Scannán na hÉireann

Trivia:

The character of Princess Margaret, Henry's sister, is actually a composite of two sisters, his older sister Margaret Tudor and his younger sister Mary Tudor. While the events in the series come from Mary's life, the substitution of Margaret's name helps to avoid confusion with Henry's daughter with Catherine of Aragon, also named Mary.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Cardinal Wolsey was not imprisoned and did not commit suicide. After being accused of treason, he set out for London to answer the charges and died en route in Leicester. Wolsey's death came in 1530, three years before the death of Henry's sister Mary; in the series, the two events are juxtaposed.

Quotes:

Queen Katherine: He will tire of you, like all the others.
Anne Boleyn: And what if he does not?

Soundtrack:

Lacrymosa

A Must-See! Contender

I am skeptical when it comes to original programming on premium television. HBO seems to hit the mark quite often, leaving other premiums in the dust. However, Showtime has issued a return to HBO in the form of 'The Tudors.' Set in renaissance Britain during the reign of Henry VIII, we are introduced to the young and ill-tempered king, as well as his Spanish Queen Catherine, his friends and ministers Sir Thomas Moore and Cardinal Wolsey, and a host of would-be mistresses and wives. The first two episodes (which I have previewed) lay the foundation for what is sure to become a fantastic television series.

King Henry is portrayed with such energy and passion, one simultaneously loves and hates him. The women of his life are so wonderfully cast, Maria Doyle Kennedy (Queen Catherine) and Natalie Dormer (Anne Boleyn) in particular. The cast is so diverse and compelling, the sets and costumes rich and lively, that 'The Tudors' are surely going to become a household name outside of Europe.

In the spirit of competition, someone needs to challenge HBO's programming supremacy, and I honestly believe that Showtime may have finally done it.

And done it well.