Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light – Mark Rylance’s titanic Tudor drama is the best TV you’ll see all year
The cast are so incredible that even the bit parts feel like stars of the future. Peter Kosminsky’s rich, clever adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novels needs to be plunged into without distraction
It has been nine years since the first blockbuster run of Wolf Hall shot complete unknown “Mark Rylance” to critical and commercial acclaim, and a smarter TV columnist who pays more attention to geopolitics would draw out a doomed attempt at a metaphor here. One about how the world has so drastically changed since 2015 – all those prime ministers and monarchs and presidents, and also Brexit and Bake Off going to Channel 4 – and I’d nod at the returning treacle-moving drama of court intrigue and everyone caring slightly too much about blood and go: “See? It’s like that, isn’t it. It’s all sort of like that.” That’s the kind of thing writers who get tie-in TV podcasts say in their opening paragraphs, and I would quite like one of those.
Sadly, I think Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light (Sunday 10 November, 9pm, BBC Two) might be cleverer than that. A moment for the cast, which – because they all fit so perfectly and believably into this rich world – it’s oddly easy to take for granted, but I mean, come on: Damian Lewis as Henry VIII on a delirious quest for a son before the gout really sets in; Kate Phillips as the doomed Jane Seymour, always staring nervously at her stomach and navigating the etiquette of royal court about as elegantly as I might get a big table through a small doorway; Jonathan Pryce’s Cardinal Wolsey creaks into rooms with that wry Prycean smile, always knowing more than you do by two or three magnitudes; Timothy Spall’s Duke of Norfolk does the same thing but in reverse, stumbling round marble columns and looking as confused as a dog does when you pretend to throw a stick but don’t actually throw it.
Continue reading...-
‘It’s going to be much darker’: inside the deadly return of TV masterpiece Wolf Hall
World - The Guardian - October 25 -
Before: want to watch Billy Crystal show objects to a spooky child? You’ll love this creepy drama
World - The Guardian - October 19 -
You’ll never guess which American president was the best with money
Business - MarketWatch - October 19 -
How to increase your chances of seeing the northern lights
Top stories - ABC News - October 21 -
Walgreens’ stock has best day in 16 years as company plans to close 1,200 stores
Business - MarketWatch - October 15 -
Tesla’s stock sees best day in 11 years. Why it’s still hard not to be bullish.
Business - MarketWatch - October 24 -
Indians celebrate Diwali by lighting a record number of earthen lamps
World - ABC News - October 30 -
Fujitsu boss 'does not know' if Horizon is reliable
Top stories - BBC News - Yesterday -
WATCH: How to increase your chances of seeing the northern lights
Top stories - ABC News - October 21
More from The Guardian
-
Trump advisers reportedly consider ‘warrior board’ to remove military leaders; Mike Huckabee named US envoy to Israel – live
World - The Guardian - 38 minutes ago -
Jack Teixeira sentenced to 15 years after pleading guilty to Pentagon leaks
World - The Guardian - 41 minutes ago -
Justin Welby to quit as archbishop of Canterbury over handling of abuse scandal
World - The Guardian - 3 hours ago -
Aid groups accuse Israel of ignoring US ultimatum on ‘apocalyptic’ Gaza crisis
World - The Guardian - 4 hours ago -
Dozens killed in China after car driven into sports centre
World - The Guardian - 9 hours ago
Latest in World
-
Israel Intensifies Strikes in Lebanon Amid Push for Cease-Fire
World - The New York Times - 6 minutes ago -
Middle East latest: US won't halt any weapons to Israel over Gaza humanitarian aid situation
World - ABC News - 7 minutes ago -
Jannik Sinner v Taylor Fritz: ATP Finals group-stage tennis – live
World - The Guardian - 22 minutes ago -
A Diver and His Metal Detector Solved This Nearly 50-Year-Old Mystery
World - The New York Times - 25 minutes ago -
The U.S. Warned Israel to Increase Gaza Aid. The Results Are In Dispute.
World - The Wall Street Journal - 27 minutes ago