In March 2022, Mark Rylance confirmed that a second series was in development with scripts being worked on for six episodes and Peter Kosminsky set to return as director.[2]Hilary Mantel was acting as consultant on the script adaptation at the time of her death in September 2022. Kominsky, who worked closely with Mantel on the first series and had received installments of the original text as Mantel was writing the third installment of her historical trilogy, released in 2020, said that the series would continue as a "memorial" to the author.[3]Peter Straughan has again adapted the book for the series, as he had in season one, Playground and Company Pictures producing once more.[4] In November 2023, it was reported that broadcaster's Masterpiece PBS and the BBC were set to begin production on the series.[5] It is produced by Lisa Osborne and executive produced by Colin Callender and Noëlette Buckley for Playground, Kosminsky, Lucy Richer for the BBC and Susanne Simpson for Masterpiece.[6] On 3 April 2024, the BBC reported that filming had completed and released new pictures and additional casting information.[7] Dr Owen Emmerson was one of the consultants on the show.[8]
Casting
As well as Mark Rylance returning as Thomas Cromwell, Damian Lewis also returns as King Henry VIII and Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Wolsey. Kate Phillips will also reprise her role as Henry VIII's third wife, Jane Seymour, with Lilit Lesser as Princess Mary.[9] The following month it was reported that Timothy Spall, Harriet Walter and Harry Melling had been added to the cast,[10] as well as Will Tudor, Will Keen and Viola Prettejohn.[11] The casting of the courtiers was more diverse for Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light.[12]
Filming got underway in late 2023.[15] Filming was reported at Berkeley Castle in February 2024.[16] The following month, filming took place at Wells Cathedral.[17] they also filmed at Forde Abbey in Dorset for certain scenes, spending weeks at on location
Broadcast
The series will premiere in the UK on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday 10 November 2024. [18]