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 ...

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

King Takes All.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War

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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 names of Henry's six wives are spelled (correctly) as follows: Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Kathryn Howard, and Katherine Parr.

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Goofs

In establishing shots introducing scenes in the Vatican St Peter's Basilica is shown complete. The dome of St Peter's was not completed until 1590, over 50 years after the time the series is set and over 20 years after Michaelangelo (who also appears) died. It may be that the producers decided to show the complete basilica in these establishing shots to make it recognizable to the audience.

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Quotes

Anne of Cleves: If I cannot please the King, will he kill me?

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Connections

Version of The Tudors: Protestant Anne of Cleves (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Lacrymosa"
(Theme)
Performed by Evanescence

User Reviews

too much fact-tampering

Well, it's gorgeous, well-acted but far too much tampering with the facts of history. Henry had TWO sisters, not one, and it was his sister, Mary, who was married off to a king in his dotage - and it was to the king of France, not Portugal. Margaret was married to the Scottish King, from whence comes the Stuart claim to the English throne. Don't watch this for your history exam! Just enjoy the costumes, set, fiery acting and music. The portrait of Henry, though, is wonderful. Lest we forget; he was quite handsome and charismatic in his younger days. As he continued getting his way both in politics and the bedroom, he grew more and more self-absorbed and ruthless. One good historical item is pointing out that, whatever was going on in separating from the Roman church, most of the English reformers had little use for Luther and wished to distance themselves from the continental reformation. Odd that today the Anglican Communion and the Lutheran church work hand-in-hand in aid efforts and acknowledge more readily our common bonds. Just FYI, the word "protestant" actually means one who protests the abuse of the Sacrements, which was rampant in those days.