Wolf Hall - The Mirror and the Light

[virgocatlover]

Series 2 is confirmed to start Sunday 10th November.

Almost 10 years after the first series, I'm excited to see the third and final novel brought to life.

Yes, it’s one of the few series to try to approximate somewhat realistic lighting levels for the period.

@IwantToRetire — but we all know the plot, and how this series ends! Or read the final trilogy novel to remind yourself?

I'm really looking forward to this - I loved the first two books and thought the tv adaptation was excellent, but didn't actually enjoy the last book that much (agree, it needed an edit. Plus, I read it at the start of Covid from memory and my head was all over the place, so I possibly didn't give it justice). I'm really looking forward to the adaptation though as I'm hoping it's tighter than the book.

I am SO looking forward to this - I loved the first series but I can barely remember it after all this time. If it's on iPlayer I might re-watch it this week.

I'm really looking forward to this. Our local National Trust place has a second hand bookstall and I picked up a copy of The Mirror and the Light a few months ago. I read and enjoyed Wolf Hall a long time ago but never watched the series; I've just finished watching the earlier seasons on iPlayer after completing the book. I found it quite moving, despite the fact that I knew the fates of those involved.

My earliest views of Cromwell were drawn from a couple of very good local theatre productions of A Man For All Seasons, so highly critical of Cromwell as a bullying wrong 'un. But Hilary Mantel's books gave him a more rounded depth and meaning. I felt some sincere compassion for him by the end.

I liked Mark Rylance in the role. I should think Ben Miles was also excellent. Although I must also put in a good word for lovely James Frain who played him in The Tudors.

I recently saw Firebrand in the cinema, about the last days of Henry VIII through the eyes of Katherine Parr. Very good, though the ending wasn't great. It did help to demonstrate the chaos left after Cromwell's execution. But I'm sure there would have been chaos anyway. What a wretched time to have lived. I'm going to try and rewatch the earlier series before this last one starts. Claire Foy was excellent.

but we all know the plot, and how this series ends! Or read the final trilogy novel to remind yourself?

Have never read the books! And cant start now as I am half way through listening to Shardlake series on audible, and that would be doubly confusing!

My problem is that I cant remember from week to week, ie the nuances, and hints at things. So want to binge watch, but probably dont have the self control to wait to watch until all episodes are available on line!

My memory of the earlier episodes is not only was it really dark (yes I know, authenticity) so hard to see all details, but a lot of low confidential discussions so hard to hear, unless endlessly sitting with finger of volume control.

I am binge watching it on iplayer atm. Mark Rylance is mesmerising.

@IwantToRetire put the subtitles on. I've just rewatched S1 to refresh my memory and it helped so much and I didn't miss all those little asides etc.

Thanks for the thread, so excited. I'm normally on Married at First Sight threads so this is a bit of a departure :)
Have read the first two books many times and the last just the once. I'm "blessed" with a goldfish memory so it's always like reading for the first time.
Think I read that Anton Lesser's daughter is in this latest.
They filmed some scenes where my mum lives- she saw King Henry on his mobile :)

I love Mark Rylance in this - I saw Ben Miles in the stage productions, but because they are short, as theatre performances have to be, so much is missed. The Mirror and the Light is a very substantial book, and inevitably a lot will be cut even in 6 hours TV, but form the Cast list most of the expected characters are there including Christophe! So excited ...

Im listening to the audiobook version of the mirror and the light at the moment - it's 38 hours long 😱

I still haven’t finished The Mirror and the Light! Even though dh bought the hardback for me when it was released. The first two books I couldn’t put down.

Just rewatched the first series on player, so so good. Loved it. I had the subtitles on which helped. I don't mind the dark scenes. Better finish the third instalment so I can watch the new series.

Can't wait for the new series! In the meantime, there's a webinar from the National Archives tomorrow afternoon on Thomas Cromwell's notebooks.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/secrets-of-the-national-archives-thomas-cromwells-notebooks-tickets-998456719927?aff=oddtdtcreator

Glad, I spotted this thread so excited for another season. I completely forgot they were doing another season, disappointed that it's only 1 episode a week though.

@DontStopMe oh that looks fab, I had a look at the link but don't understand the ticket prices.

You just pick however much you want to pay! You can listen for free, or choose to pay more. I've watched a few of their events, usually very interesting. I got into all this after visiting the treason exhibition they had on a few years back. It did send shivers down my spine seeing things like Guy Fawkes' rather faint and wobbly signature.

Thanks, I've signed up for tomorrow. It must have been surreal to see Guys signature. I am fascinated by the time of Henry the 8th. My reading list this winter is the Wolf Hall books.

The first 5 minutes of the first episode are available here:

Thank you for that clip OP.

Gregory has had a head transplant; Tom Holland was, probably, too busy in the Spider-Verse to join the cast. Thomas Brodie-Sangster does NOT look 10 years older!

I've re-re-re-watched the first series in preparation for tomorrow.

I have found my tribe. I loved the Treason exhibition!

The first episode is up on iplayer!

I repeat THE FIRST EPISODE IS ON IPLAYER!

!! Do I risk watching it now and getting I interrupted when people start to get up, or save it for later? So excited to watch it!

I think save it for when you can concentrate and watch in peace, although it's tempting to risk watching asap

Excited for this - dh is finally watching the first series on iplayer and is hooked. Can we get him to end of ep 6 by the end of the day?!

I've never read the books as I'm quite a slow reader and would take months.
I loved the first series, so atmospheric and very moving. I've watched it a couple of times over the years and can't wait for this one. DH has not seen the first series or read the books but I'd like some company to watch this series and chat about it. He might take some convincing...Do you think he'd need to watch the first series to understand this one or should I just get on with watching it alone?

I cannot wait either. The books were brilliant and the 1st series I've watched 3 times!

Was intending to watch again this week as a catch up ready for today but Industry season 3 has been too good! Maybe I'll watch the last episode of Wolf Hall today in preparation.......

I thought the first episode was good and Timothy Spall is great as the Norfolk replacement. The actresses who play Jane and Mary both capture their characters well too.