The Tudors (2007–2010)

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

Creator:

Michael Hirst

Stars:

Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Henry Cavill, James Frain

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 43 wins & 65 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Jonathan Rhys Meyers	...	King Henry VIII (38 episodes, 2007-2010)
Henry Cavill	...	Charles Brandon (38 episodes, 2007-2010)
James Frain	...	Thomas Cromwell (24 episodes, 2007-2009)
Anthony Brophy	...	Ambassador Bishop Chapuys (24 episodes, 2007-2010)
Guy Carleton	...	Chamberlain (23 episodes, 2007-2010)
Sarah Bolger	...	Mary Tudor (22 episodes, 2008-2010)
Natalie Dormer	...	Anne Boleyn (21 episodes, 2007-2010)
Max Brown	...	Edward Seymour (21 episodes, 2008-2010)
Nick Dunning	...	Thomas Boleyn (20 episodes, 2007-2008)
Rod Hallett	...	Richard Rich (19 episodes, 2008-2010)
Maria Doyle Kennedy	...	Queen Catherine of Aragon (18 episodes, 2007-2010)
Simon Ward	...	Bishop Gardiner (17 episodes, 2009-2010)

Storyline

This costume drama features England's splendid Renaissance dynasty under King Henry VIII. Beginning in Season 1 when Henry VIII was growing desperate for an heir and growing distant from his first wife, the series moves quickly to the period when Anne Boleyn became his obsession. During this time Cardinal Wolsey rose to become the power behind his throne, ruling ruthlessly and nearly absolutely while Henry (played by Johnathon Rhys Meyers) for the most part followed the Cardinal's advice, maneuvering through a series of betrayals and plots against him. When Anne Boleyn plays much harder to get than any woman ever has, Henry begins to search for a way out of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, so that he can make Anne his wife. Needing a divorce, Henry turns to Wolsey, who promises to help him create waves of backlash from the church, as well as the Spanish Habsburg dynasty and its overseas empire. Against this background gyrate the private lives and political intrigues of several ...

---

Plot Keywords:

king | king henry viii | england | intrigue | court | 

---

Taglines:

King Takes All.

---

Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War

---

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [United States]

Country:

Ireland Canada USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Tudors

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Peace Arch Entertainment Group, Showtime Networks, Reveille Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The final TV role of Simon Ward.

---

Goofs

In the series, Thomas Wyatt has an on-again/off-again relationship with Queen Catherine's lady-in-waiting. In real life, Wyatt married Elizabeth Brooke, daughter of Thomas Brooke, 8th Baron Cobham, in 1520. However, there is historical evidence that the real Wyatt was infatuated with Anne Boleyn, as shown in the series.

---

Quotes

[after having caught Charles having sex with his daughter, Anna]
Duke of Buckingham: What's this? Brandon!
Charles Brandon: It's what it looks like, Your Grace.
Duke of Buckingham: [livid] You violated my daughter!
Charles Brandon: No, no. She begged.
[pulls out sword threateningly and holds it to Charles' throat]
Duke of Buckingham: You've taken her honor!
Charles Brandon: [smiling amusingly] I swear to your grace, someone else was there before me.
Duke of Buckingham: [while holding his sword to Charles' throat] You son of a whore.
Charles Brandon: [smirking] Yes, that is true, Your Grace.
[...]

---

Connections

Referenced in Illicit Affairs: Secret Romance in Henry's Court (2010)

---

Soundtracks

"Lacrymosa"
(Theme)
Performed by Evanescence

User Reviews

Simply Beautiful!

The Tudors is about as close to perfection as a show of its genre can get. I understand people may argue that there are many historical inaccuracies but these become irrelevant when you realise the quality of the sets, scripts and not to forget the incredible acting.

I also think that the costume department also deserve an enormous amount of credit for designing royal attire that would have been fit for any Tudor King or Queen. As soon as you see the women walk out in their gorgeous dresses and the men in their traditional Tudor dress you are pulled into the world of Henry V111's court, a world, which thanks to this beautifully made show, I would never want to leave.