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Original poster

To think Wolf Hall / Damian Lewis is the best ever portrayal of Henry VIII?

84 replies

Bluelane · 26/11/2024 08:39

Just that really. You can feel the tension, impulsiveness, and danger every time he’s on screen. You can feel the threat that must have felt by those around him at the time, it feels really accurate. Amazing writing / acting, such a contrast to the pantomime villain we often get.

OP posts:
WestwardHo1 · 26/11/2024 09:17

And after her portrayal, I'm really feeling history ha done a number on Mary I.

WestwardHo1 · 26/11/2024 09:16

YANBU

He was a terrifying monster and DL has captured him really well

I was watching with my mum the other evening. We got to the but where Mary bursts into tears and Cromwell embraces her. Mother is not given to insights or empathy but even she exclaimed "God, what an AWFUL time to be a woman!" Can't wait to watch the rest.

SharpOpalNewt · 26/11/2024 09:13

I agree. When it was Jonathan Rhys in The Tudors I found the casting utterly ridiculous.

GenerousGardener · 26/11/2024 09:11

Absolutely OP. DL is brilliant as Henry, when he appears on screen you don’t know which version of Henry you are going to get. If it’s the nice version I’m on tenterhooks how long it will last. Such wonderful acting from every single cast member. Hope they get a bafta.

catscatscurrantscurrants · 26/11/2024 09:11

Damian Lewis does very well in the part, but I don't think anyone could better Keith Michell.

SpeculatingRooks · 26/11/2024 09:00

I think Ben Willbond's is better

Silenus · 26/11/2024 08:53

I think this adaptation has been a bit dull, if I’m honest. DL is good, (but the entire cast is good, including roles that were recast since the first ‘season’, like Lydia Leonard as Lady Rochford and Timothy Spall as Norfolk) — think it’s just more difficult adapting this part ofCromwell’s career, without the narrative of the replacement of Katharine by Anne and Anne by Jane, and Wolsey’s downfall. DL seems a bit underused, if anything?

I love the novels, but the two episodes of this iteration of the adaptation I’ve seen (2 and 3) have seemed a bit ‘tracking shot of Cromwell entering a dark room, doffing hat, close up of him saying something to someone with a carefully neutral face, cut to shot of him leaving again’.

I think what I’ve most enjoyed is DL’s giant turban.

Didimum · 26/11/2024 08:46

I don’t think he’s got the physical presence you’d imagine but he makes up for it with his charisma and stage presence. I really rate his performance.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 26/11/2024 08:44

Yes, he’s brilliant, but I have to say I saw a brilliant one at Hampton Court a few years ago. Big, burly, bearded, bristling with ferocious energy, but as he passed he said, ‘Good morrow to you, Madam’ to my Singaporean Sis in law, who was tickled pink!