Wolf Hall: Season 1

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 25 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 57 Ratings

See All

7.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.5	Your Score
7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 57 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Wolf Hall: Three Card Trick

Now Playing: Wolf Hall: Three Card Trick

Season Details & Credits

PBS | BBC Two | Season Premiere Date: January 21, 2015

Starring: Jonathan Pryce, Anton Lesser, Richard Dillane

Summary: The adaptation of Hilary Mantel's novels about the rise of Thomas Cromwell (Mark Rylance) during the reign King Henry VIII (Damian Lewis) is co-produced for BBC Two and Masterpiece.

Genre(s): Drama

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E6. Masters of Phantoms
Air Date: February 25, 2015
tbd
S1:E5. Crows
Air Date: February 18, 2015
tbd
S1:E4. The Devil's Spit
Air Date: February 11, 2014

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Dorothy Rabinowitz

Apr 3, 2015

It takes some while before the immensity of the history it covers dawns on a viewer of this extraordinary series, so deftly is that history--the reign of Henry VIII (Damian Lewis), Henry’s court, the dawn of the Protestant Reformation in England--woven into drama here. Read full review

100

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

Apr 2, 2015

This magnificent six-part Masterpiece adaption.... In a powerfully sustained performance of subtle sorrow and steely resolve, Rylance reveals a man who takes little pleasure in carrying out his master's harrowing whims. The true pleasure is entirely the viewers. [6-19 Apr 2015, p.14]

Ray Rahman

Mar 30, 2015

This excellent six-part series brings the statesman's [Thomas Cromwell's] shady story to light with wit, empathy, and even surprise. [3 Apr 2015, p.59]

Maureen Ryan

Apr 2, 2015

The fantastic Wolf Hall is ultra-English is so many ways.... This may be a restrained, morally complex drama, but it is far from inert and stodgy in its execution. Read full review

David Hinckley

Apr 17, 2015

It’s beautifully filmed, with a measured pace and a priority on the performances. Read full review

Dan Kois

Apr 3, 2015

The series is a robust and satisfying experience, one that doesn’t skimp on the story’s world-spanning political and religious intrigue, but keeps at its center one man whose calm gaze focuses the sweeping material and makes it feel manageable. Read full review

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Mar 27, 2015

Wolf Hall has its moments if you have the endurance to wait for them. Read full review

SEE ALL 25 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

7.5

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

User Reviews

SirNilesIV

Jan 8, 2016

This is hands down my favorite show of 2016, so far--which admittedly is only 8 days old, but still! I think once thing to note is that this is *not* a typical period piece production, for the better. The sets are resplendent and the acting is superb, the accents (I'm assuming) are close,This is hands down my favorite show of 2016, so far--which admittedly is only 8 days old, but still! I think once thing to note is that this is *not* a typical period piece production, for the better. The sets are resplendent and the acting is superb, the accents (I'm assuming) are close, but there is so much more to this show than that. In the way that you watch a Kubrick or Malick movie and there is some ineffable quality to it, this movie captures that. Imagine a far more interesting and intriguing "Barry Lyndon," Kubrick's rumination on light and shadow, with a dash of dialogue. This on the other hand, captures all the superb design and production of that, but with dialogue and pacing that keeps the story moving, even though you already know the ending (everyone dies in Tudor England.) Lastly, the music is a total joy to listen to and sets the scene perfectly, in a way that no period drama has done for me, ever.

Highly recommend.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

foxgrove

Apr 26, 2015

Wonderfully cast with an exceptionally good Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell. This shakes of the old schoolbook notions of who these people were and gives us a re-interpretation that is thrilling to behold. The writing is thought provoking and makes history come to life in every singleWonderfully cast with an exceptionally good Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell. This shakes of the old schoolbook notions of who these people were and gives us a re-interpretation that is thrilling to behold. The writing is thought provoking and makes history come to life in every single character who appears on screen without patronising an audience who may, or may not, know their Tudor history. This is so much better than the play seen in London's West End. Stunningly good.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

PoeticDumpling

Apr 7, 2015

The first hour was damn near perfect. Beautiful soundtrack, gorgeously shot, top-notch acting. It is slower paced, but never boring. I can't wait to soak in the final five hours as many say the acting talent pays off in stellar moments later.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

carmine49

Apr 18, 2015

An enjoyable look at an important historical figure. This program gives a background to Oliver Cromwell. I do not recall any other historical program which has done so. As always with PBS Masterpiece, the main story line has added subtleties. The scenery, clothing, and ways they didAn enjoyable look at an important historical figure. This program gives a background to Oliver Cromwell. I do not recall any other historical program which has done so. As always with PBS Masterpiece, the main story line has added subtleties. The scenery, clothing, and ways they did things back in the 1500's I'm sure are historically accurate which adds enjoyment to this drama. I've been a fan of many of PBS Masterpiece Theatre since the 1960' or 1970's. A fascinating, well scripted part of history.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

Knighthawk81

Apr 17, 2015

This show tells the story of Thomas Cromwell, which is probably little known to most. A good performance from Mark Rylance helps this show move forward, and it has a good cast. The second episode was a bit of a step down, but it's the right kind of show for Masterpiece on PBS.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

horrorliefheb

Apr 3, 2016

-Wolf Hall is a British television serial first broadcast on BBC Two in January 2015. The six-part series is an adaptation of two of Hilary Mantel's novels, Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, a highly fictionalised biography documenting the rapid rise to power of Thomas Cromwell in the court-Wolf Hall is a British television serial first broadcast on BBC Two in January 2015. The six-part series is an adaptation of two of Hilary Mantel's novels, Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, a highly fictionalised biography documenting the rapid rise to power of Thomas Cromwell in the court of Henry VIII through to the death of Sir Thomas More, followed by Cromwell's success in freeing the king of his marriage to Anne Boleyn. Wolf Hall was first broadcast in April in the United States on PBS and in Australia on BBC First.

-The series was a critical success and received eight nominations at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards and three nominations at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards, winning for Best Miniseries or Television Film.

--Reception:

-Critics have been "almost unanimous" in their praise of the show with particular reference to the costumes, sets and direction, as well as the performances of Rylance as Cromwell and Foy as Anne Boleyn. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave the show a 100% rating based on 29 reviews with an average rating of 8.6/10. The critical consensus reads: "Beautifully filmed and brilliantly acted, Wolf Hall masterfully brings Hilary Mantel's award-winning novels to life." Sam Wollaston in The Guardian called it "sumptuous, intelligent, event television."… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Broyax

Oct 4, 2017

Cette série est un épouvantable somnifère où tout se traîne comme une limace sous neuros : malgré pourtant une distribution remarquable, les comédiens donnent l'impression à chaque réplique qu'ils vont tourner de l'oeil d'une seconde à l'autre. Même l'estimable Damian Lewis n'y peut rien etCette série est un épouvantable somnifère où tout se traîne comme une limace sous neuros : malgré pourtant une distribution remarquable, les comédiens donnent l'impression à chaque réplique qu'ils vont tourner de l'oeil d'une seconde à l'autre. Même l'estimable Damian Lewis n'y peut rien et de toute façon, la série est centrée sur le personnage de Cromwell qui va nous faire mourir d'inanité.

La réalisation à deux de tension (voire beaucoup moins, tension négative même) participe à ce désastre, d'autant que la série ne compte que 6 épisodes seulement : on salue le nouveau tour de force ! quel génie de l'ennui ! je crois que même les tortues sont parties faire un flipper, car c'est rigoureusement insoutenable.

Pourtant, les frasques historiques d'Henri VIII fournissent la matière romanesque et vile à la fois, comploteuse et politique... La série des Tudor en a tiré 4 saisons d'une grande qualité à des années-lumière de cette purge lénifiante.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

SEE ALL 13 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

86

Series Overview
Season 1

86
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 21, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E6. Masters of Phantoms
  Air Date: February 25, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E5. Crows
  Air Date: February 18, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E4. The Devil's Spit
  Air Date: February 11, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E3. Anna Regina
  Air Date: February 4, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E2. Entirely Beloved
  Air Date: January 28, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E1. Three Card Trick
  Air Date: January 21, 2015