The highly anticipated second installment of Hilary Mantel’s trilogy, “The Mirror and the Light,” premieres on PBS’s Masterpiece this Sunday. The six-part series is a direct continuation of the previous show, which aired in 2015, and explores Thomas Cromwell’s rise to power and subsequent downfall.
Mark Rylance reprises his role as the cunning Thomas Cromwell, while Damian Lewis takes on the complex task of portraying King Henry VIII. Director Peter Kosminsky returns with the same creative team that worked on the previous series, adapting Mantel’s final novel with a near-identical approach.
The story begins exactly where the last one ended, in 1536, as Anne Boleyn is beheaded. Cromwell’s character has evolved significantly since the first series, and Rylance describes him as “lonely” and “frustrated” by his own circumstances, which ultimately lead to his downfall.
As Cromwell struggles to maintain his position at court, he faces numerous challenges, including a rebellion in the north of England, the dissolution of monasteries, and navigating Henry’s increasingly volatile personality. The show’s writers have taken liberties with Mantel’s original material, but the core theme remains intact: Cromwell’s transformation from an outsider to a master manipulator.
According to Colin Callender, one of the show’s executive producers, the project was delayed due to various factors, including the coronavirus pandemic and Hilary Mantel’s passing in 2022. The production team had to navigate complex issues, including reassembling the high-profile cast and adapting the nearly 900-page novel into a script.
The series’ creative team aimed to find continuity with the first installment, exploring Cromwell’s revenge on his mentor’s enemies. However, as the story unfolds, Cromwell comes to realize that there is one last threat: himself. This idea is seeded in an early episode and sets the tone for the rest of the series.
Lilit Lesser, who plays Mary, the king’s eldest daughter, describes the experience of working on the show as “surreal.” The series’ writers aimed to create a sense of tension and uncertainty, mirroring Cromwell’s own emotional state. As the story progresses, Cromwell’s actions become increasingly rash, leading to his downfall.
Overall, “The Mirror and the Light” promises to be a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of power, corruption, and human vulnerability. With its talented cast and creative team, this series is sure to captivate audiences and provide a fitting conclusion to Mantel’s trilogy.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/arts/television/the-mirror-and-the-light-pbs-wolf-hall.html