BBC’s Wolf Hall returns with diverse cast of Tudor courtiers

The BBC’s new Wolf Hall series will use a diverse cast to portray the Tudor courtiers.

The TV adaptation of Dame Hilary Mantel’s historical novels about Henry VIII’s court, starring Damian Lewis and Sir Mark Rylance, first aired in 2015 to critical acclaim.

The follow-up series, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, employs a diverse cast to portray courtiers in 16th-century England, including the portrayal of white historical figures.

It will conclude Dame Hilary’s trilogy and cover the final years of Thomas Cromwell, played by Sir Mark.

Lady Margery Seymour, the mother of Jane Seymour, will be played by Sarah Priddy, a British actress of Bahamian descent. Seymour’s sister-in-law Anne will also be played by Cecilia Appiah, a British mixed-race actress, and Thomas Wyatt, the Tudor courtier and poet who introduced the sonnet to England, will be played by Amir El-Masry, an Egyptian-British actor.

Other non-historical parts will also be played by a racially-diverse group of actors, who will star alongside incoming cast members Harriet Walter and Timothy Spall.

There is no historical evidence that the Seymours had non-white heritage but the BBC has not confirmed whether it has adopted a policy for colour-blind casting for the roles of Anne, called “Nan” in the new series, and Lady Seymour.

Cromwell served as the adviser of Henry VIII, played by Lewis, and helped pave the way for the king’s marriage to both Anne Bolyen and Jane Seymour.

The new series will begin in the immediate aftermath of Boleyn’s execution in 1536.

At this time, a number of individuals of African descent within the English population are recorded, including John Blanke, Henry VIII’s trumpeter.

Jaques Francis, a contemporary salvage diver, is believed to be the first person of African descent to give evidence in an English court.

The final adaptation of Dame Hilary’s novel sequence comes almost 10 years after the initial series and follows a far greater historical focus on the black population of Tudor England, particularly following Black Lives Matter protest in 2020.

Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s chief content officer, previously said she was pleased to see Wolf Hall returning to the screen.

She said: “A stunning and unforgettable adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s sublime novels, Wolf Hall quickly established itself as one of the all-time great television dramas, with millions of adoring viewers across the UK and around the World.

“Almost a decade on we’re delighted to have reunited this exceptional creative team and lead cast to conclude Mantel’s thrilling saga on the BBC.”

The BBC has been contacted for comment.