The Tudors
A drama of power, passion, and Tudor intrigue.
The reign of Henry VIII is the focus of The Tudors, a historical drama created by Michael Hirst for Showtime. Set in 16th-century England, the series was a co-production involving Peace Arch Entertainment, Reveille Eire, Working Title Television, and the CBC, with filming in Ireland. Its 1 April 2007 premiere was the network's most successful debut in three years.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Historical drama
- Runtime
- 47–56 minutes
- Creator
- Michael Hirst
- Producer
- James Flynn; Gary Howsam
- Executive producers
- Michael Hirst
- Eric Fellner
- Tim Bevan
- Teri Weinberg
- Sheila Hockin
- Mritunjay Waghmare
- Composer
- Trevor Morris
- Country
- United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, United States
- Location
- Ireland
Facts from the source article.
Synopsis
Season 1 covers the period of Henry VIII's reign when his effectiveness as king is tested by international conflicts and political intrigue. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Henry's trusted advisor, persuades the king to keep peace with France, leading to a meeting at Calais. Henry's desire for a male heir leads him to question his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, and he has affairs, fathering an illegitimate son with mistress Elizabeth Blount. The Duke of Buckingham is executed for treason. Anne Boleyn returns from the French court and catches Henry's eye; encouraged by her family, she refuses to become his mistress and insists on marriage. Henry instructs Wolsey to obtain papal agreement for an annulment, arguing that Catherine's previous marriage to Henry's brother Arthur was consummated. Wolsey struggles to gain the Church's approval due to the influence of Catherine's nephew Emperor Charles V over the Pope. The sweating sickness arrives, killing many, and Henry isolates himself; Anne Boleyn contracts the illness but recovers. A papal envoy convenes a court session that decides in Catherine's favor. Wolsey is stripped of his office and banished to York, and Sir Thomas More becomes Lord Chancellor. In the final episode, Wolsey attempts to ally with Queen Katherine but is discovered; he kills himself in the Tower of London after a prayer.
Reception
The premiere on 1 April 2007 was the highest-rated Showtime series debut in three years. The New York Times described the series as a "primitively sensual period drama" that critics could take or leave but viewers enjoyed. A later review noted Natalie Dormer's performance as Anne Boleyn as a "star-making, breakout" role, but felt the show reduced thematic conflicts to struggles over personal and erotic power. Metacritic reported favorable review percentages of 64% for season one, 68% for season two, 74% for season three, and 63% for season four.
Awards and nominations
The series earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Drama Series in 2007, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers was nominated for Best Actor in a Television Drama at the same ceremony in both 2007 and 2008. At the 2008 Irish Film and Television Awards, the show took home seven awards out of eight nominations, including Best Drama Series, acting honors for Rhys Meyers, Nick Dunning, and Maria Doyle Kennedy, and craft prizes for Costume Design, Production Design, and Hair/Makeup. Brian Kirk was also nominated for Directing. The show won two Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards in 2007 for Outstanding Costumes for a Series and Outstanding Main Title Theme Music. In 2009, it claimed six Irish Film and Television Awards, among them Drama Series, Director, Actor in a Supporting Role, Actress in a Supporting Role, Costume Design, and Make Up & Hair. The following year, it received seven Irish Film and Television Award nominations, winning one for Best Supporting Actress in Television for Sarah Bolger. In 2011, it secured three wins from six nominations: Drama Series, Costume Design, and Make Up & Hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which network aired The Tudors?
The Tudors aired on BBC Two (United Kingdom), CBC Television (Canada) and Showtime (United States).
How many episodes of The Tudors are there?
The Tudors has 38 episodes across 4 seasons.
When did The Tudors end?
The Tudors last aired on 20 June 2010.
More in Television Series by Working Title Television
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