Wolf Hall

England in the 1520s is a heartbeat from disaster. If the King dies without a male heir, the country could be destroyed by civil war. Henry VIII wants to annul his marriage of twenty years and marry Anne Boleyn. The Pope and most of Europe oppose him. Into this impasse steps Thomas Cromwell: a wholly original man, a charmer, and a bully, both idealist and opportunist, astute in reading people, and implacable in his ambition. But Henry is volatile: one day tender, one day murderous. Cromwell helps him break the opposition, but what will be the price of his triumph?

Wolf Hall (2015-2024) is a British historical drama series created by Peter Straughan, Peter Kosminsky and Hilary Mantel for BBC One and BBC Two, adapted from Mantel's novels. The story follows Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance), a charming, bullying and calculating commoner who climbs into the orbit of the volatile King Henry VIII (Damian Lewis) as the king seeks to annul his twenty-year marriage and wed Anne Boleyn (Claire Foy). Cromwell's engine is the pursuit of power in a court where enemies gather and every alliance can turn fatal, and each episode is built from negotiations, whispered deals and tense confrontations with the Pope's envoys and rival nobles. Across two seasons of six episodes each, the series unfolds as one continuing story rather than standalone cases, a measured and stately chronicle of ambition and survival. Set in 1520s England, it is rendered in candlelit interiors, rich costume and a restrained, contemplative register that is by turns wry, menacing and melancholy. Its atmosphere of court paranoia and political calculation will appeal to viewers who enjoy the prestige period drama of The Tudors, The Crown and House of Cards. The series remains a sober, adult portrait of power and its cost.

Critics and audiences broadly acclaim the series as a sumptuous, intelligent adaptation of Hilary Mantel's novels, driven by Mark Rylance's performance as Thomas Cromwell.

• The Tudorsshared prestige period drama tone, court intrigue, political maneuvering
• The Crownshared historical political drama, power struggle at a royal court, measured costume-era realism
• House of Cardsshared sober political intrigue and ambitious advisor at the center of power

Created by

Peter Straughan, Peter Kosminsky, Hilary Mantel

Release Date

2015-01-21

Episode runtime

60 min

Rating

8.2 / 10 (154)

What is Wolf Hall about?

Thomas Cromwell rises from obscurity to navigate the volatile court of Henry VIII as the king pursues his annulment and marriage to Anne Boleyn.

What is Wolf Hall like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Wolf Hall as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as dense.

Is Wolf Hall violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Wolf Hall as moderate.

What did critics think of Wolf Hall?

Critics and audiences broadly acclaim the series as a sumptuous, intelligent adaptation of Hilary Mantel's novels, driven by Mark Rylance's performance as Thomas Cromwell.

Which shows are like Wolf Hall?

Shows with a similar feel include The Tudors, The Crown, and House of Cards.

How long is Wolf Hall?

Wolf Hall: 2 seasons, 12 episodes.

Is Wolf Hall still running?

No, Wolf Hall has ended.

Where can I watch Wolf Hall?

In United States, Wolf Hall streams on PBS, PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel, Thirteen, WETA+.