Wolf Hall is about the corrupting influence of power, says writer

Wolf Hall is about the corrupting influence of power, says writer

As a history enthusiast with a soft spot for gripping political dramas, I can hardly contain my excitement for the second season of “Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light.” Having delved into Hilary Mantel’s trilogy, I can attest to the masterful storytelling and the intricate web of power plays that unfold in Tudor England.


The long-awaited second season of Wolf Hall, titled “The Mirror and the Light,” has now been released, and author Peter Straughan hints that its portrayal of Hilary Mantel’s third book in the Cromwell trilogy comes at a particularly relevant point in time.

As a cinephile putting it in my own words, here’s how I’d rephrase: “Once more, I find myself drawn to the silver screen with Mark Rylance reprising his role as Thomas Cromwell and Damian Lewis stepping into Henry VIII’s royal boots. The story unfolds in May 1536, a chilling continuation after the beheading of Henry’s second queen, Anne Boleyn.

Discussing some of the series’ topics, Straughan commented on the upcoming season: “This year being an election year, I believe viewers will find ‘The Mirror and the Light’ to be an exhilarating political drama delving into power – its allure and destructive effects.

For myself, the most delight I derive comes from witnessing Mark’s portrayal of Cromwell and Damian’s portrayal of King Henry VIII. Their performances are a blend of clever wit, brutal savagery, and heart-wrenching humanity that leaves me captivated.

Wolf Hall is about the corrupting influence of power, says writer

Straughan further elaborated on the start of season 2, indicating that viewers will encounter Cromwell in a precarious or risky situation.

According to Straughan, “On the other side, he has outshone his competitors.” Henry has been gradually granting him greater duties and honors, making it seem as though he’s almost invincible. Currently, he ranks just below the king in power.

“But, as he learnt from his old master Wolsey, that can be a very dangerous place to be.

According to Chapuys’ remarks to Cromwell, he lacks a significant family support system. His safety net is solely tied to the next heartbeat of Henry. If Henry were to turn against him, he would be left without any allies for protection. Moreover, Henry can be incredibly unpredictable and terrifyingly changeable.

“Peter Kosminsky and I were very interested in threading two other ideas through the drama.

Initially, we aim to emphasize that Cromwell possesses a human quality that makes him susceptible in the end. Instead of seizing an opportunity to eliminate his greatest adversary Norfolk when it arises, as suggested by Wriothesley, he chooses not to. This choice ultimately proves fatal for him.

Additionally, it seemed to us that Cromwell was progressively tormented by his past actions, as if haunted by their spectral echoes. We perceived a growing uncertainty in his allegiance to his former mentor Wolsey. Our curiosity was piqued by the notion that Cromwell’s fall from grace could, at least partially, be attributed to his own actions.

In addition to Rylance and Lewis, you’ll also see familiar faces like Jonathan Pryce and Kate Phillips in the series. New additions to the cast include Timothy Spall, Harriet Walter, Alex Jennings, and Lydia Leonard.

Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light comes to BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday 10th November.

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2024-11-10 11:33