The Tudors, the drama series loosely based on the early reign of Henry VIII, returns for a second season with 10 new episodes, and the promise of sexual obsessions, elaborate court customs, and more blood shed. History comes alive tonight at 9pm ET/PT on Showtime.
When
The Tudors resumes, Henry (
Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is still in the midst of a tense conflict with the Catholic Church over his demand for an annulment so he can marry the bewitching Boleyn, played by
Natalie Dormer. The consequent power struggle leads to Henry's break with the church and the English Reformation, only to have the king order his new queen beheaded after she provides him with a daughter instead of the son he craves for. Finally, there will be blood.
Using present-day touches to draw in viewers,
The Tudors premiered on April 1, 2007 and has become Showtime's highest rated debut in three years. The series has initially attracted a few criticisms especially with its conflated time structure, but for the most part, the storylines have been deemed historically accurate and entertaining.
Shortly after its debut,
The Tudors has significantly surged in the ratings, prompting the network to give an early renewal to the show created and penned by Michael Hirst. The show's success has also become evident in its acquisition of numerous awards and nominations from various award giving bodies. So far, the series has been nominated for Golden Globe's Best Drama Series, along with Jonathan Rhys Meyers for the Best Actor in a Television Drama. In addition, the show has been recognized eight times in the Irish Film and Television Awards and has won seven awards, including Best Drama Series, acting awards for Meyers,
Nick Dunning,
Maria Doyle Kennedy, and craft awards for Costume Design, Production Design and Hair/Makeup.
The Tudors also stars
Henry Cavill as Charles Brandon,
Callum Blue as Anthony Knivert,
Henry Czerny as Norfolk,
Jeremy Northam as Thomas More,
Kris Holden-Reid as William Compton, and
Sam Neill as Thomas Wolsey, just to name a few.
-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Showtime
(Image courtesy of Showtime)