‘Once in a generation’ BBC drama blows fans away after 10-year wait-Asyia Iftikhar-Entertainment – Metro

The highly anticipated second season of BBC drama Wolf Hall has wowed fans as it returns to screens after a decade.

The Tudor-era historical drama, based on Hilary Mantel’s bestselling trilogy, centres around controversial statesman Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance) as he rises the ranks of the court of King Henry VIII (Damian Lewis).

The six-episode finale, which follows the plot of Mantel’s 2020 novel The Mirror and the Light, picks up after the execution of Anne Boleyn and we see Kate Phillips as Henry’s beloved third wife, Jane Seymour.

The 10-year-long wait has not deterred eager viewers, however, and as the show returned to screens on Sunday fans praised its excellent quality.

‘Superb. Heartbreaking to see Mary shatter with sorrow and relief. What terrifying lives. The tyranny of Henry, superbly played and responded to, all the more grotesque in these troubled times. Well done all, and thank you,’ @marionjones100 wrote on X.

‘Once in a generation a television drama comes along that transcends the ordinary and sublimely, subtly reveals itself as greater than the sum of its parts.

Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light has been a ceritifed hit among fans and critics alike (Picture: BBC/Playground Entertainment/Nick Briggs)

‘As well as a fine ensemble cast Wolf Hall features jewel like performances and inspirational direction. A triumph deluxe,’ @melainehewitt61 added.

‘An hour in the company of Mark Rylance this evening was hands down the best hour of the day. The genius of his performance is its total unpredictability and understated violence and rage,’ @jerrylatter praised.

‘Simply sublime watching ‘The Mirror and The Light’ and EP 1 didn’t disappoint!’ @feralmother44 echoed.

‘The sadness in Mark Rylance’s eyes almost makes me want to weep myself What Thomas has endured… what he has seen… Wolf Hall possibly the greatest thing you’ll ever see,’ @alcanlin agreed.

‘Sad that more people would rather watch reality shows instead of the magnificent Wolf Hall,’ @brassylassy shared.

‘It’s incredible to watch Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell, carrying the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, through every minute of every scene,’ @kjhaden reflected.

‘Love this new series. Mark and Damian are brilliant as are the others, its so atmospheric,’ @petermac68 posted.

Mark Rylance also saw particular praise for his portrayal of Thomas Cromwell (Picture: BBC/Playground Entertainment/Nick Briggs)

The audience verdict echoed the critics consensus with the second season of the show securing an impressive 100% Rotten Tomatoes score.

‘Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light covers the last volume and final four years of Cromwell’s life. And it does so as beautifully, movingly and immaculately as before. It is breathtaking,’ The Guardian wrote in its five-star review.

The Financial Times’ glowing review echoed: ‘Rich, textured performances are complemented by Peter Kosminsky’s dynamic direction, which does away with the stuffiness often found in British period dramas, and a script that’s not only eloquent, but tinged with melancholy and laced with wit.’

The Times described it as ‘sumptuous television’ and the Independent hailed it ‘bloody good fun’.

Aside from a few exceptions, the majority of the cast and crew has returned for the second season.

Kate Phillips shines as Jane Seymour (Picture: BBC/Playground Entertainment/Nick Briggs)

Executive producer and director Peter reflected on what it was like getting back behind the Wolf Hall camera so many years on.

‘For most people involved, this will have felt like returning to something after a significant number of years, but not for me,’ he told the BBC.

‘Hilary Mantel was sending me the novel as she was writing it in 100-page instalments. We were having a dialogue before she submitted the novel to the publisher.

‘So, I have been working on this pretty much since we delivered and transmitted the original Wolf Hall series back in 2015. I have never left the show.’

He added that while the first season tracked Cromwell’s rise to power, the second season very much explored his struggle.

‘This second series is a story of Cromwell struggling to maintain his position, and eventually losing that battle. It’s a more internal story about the debate and battle that’s going on in Cromwell’s mind,’ he said.

The first episode of season two is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. A new episode airs every Sunday on BBC One at 9pm.

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