The Tudors

About The Tudors

The Tudors, released in 2007, is a critically acclaimed historical drama TV series depicting the early years of King Henry VIII's nearly 40-year reign over England. The series divulges the tumultuous, scandalous, and glamorous life of a youthful, athletic and high-spirited King Henry VIII, concentrating on his marriages, mistresses, political alliances, and the impact of his rule on England.

Making / Production

The series was created and primarily written by Michael Hirst, produced by Peace Arch Entertainment and Showtime Networks in association with Working Title Television and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It was filmed in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Actors

• Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays the role of King Henry VIII with fierce intensity and a certain edgy charm that highlights the monarch's youthful energy and unpredictable temper.
• Natalie Dormer, as Anne Boleyn, portrays the ambitious and cunning second wife of Henry with a blend of allure and deadly determination.
• Henry Cavill, as Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk and Henry’s most loyal friend, exhibits charisma and loyalty despite being involved in several of the king's controversies.
• Jeremy Northam, as Sir Thomas More, provides a picture of moral integrity, managing to be both a devout Catholic and a loyal Subject of King Henry VIII.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Henry Cavill are the only actors to appear in all 38 episodes of the show.
• In reality, Henry VIII was a redhead and became obese later in life, whereas Jonathan Rhys Meyers has dark hair and remained slim and athletic throughout the series.
• Many of the outdoor scenes were actually shot in parks and other public places in Dublin and the surrounding areas.

Awards

The Tudors won an Emmy in 2008 for Outstanding Costumes for a Series for the episode "His Majesty, The King".

Quotes

• "I may not be a lion, but I am a lion's cub, and I have a lion's heart." - King Henry VIII
• "Even in my darkest moments you somehow restore my faith." - Charles Brandon
• "You think you know a story, but you only know how it ends. To get to the heart of the story, you have to go back to the beginning." -Sir Thomas More

Music, Soundtrack

• The main theme song of The Tudors, "Tudor Rose", was composed by Trevor Morris.
• The original music for the series was recorded by the Slovak Symphony Orchestra conducted by Allan Wilson.
• Besides the original score, the series features music from Tallis, Byrd, Dowland and other composers of the era.