Harry Potter star reveals 'cheeky' costume as he joins Wolf Hall - including exposing 'codpiece'
After almost a decade since the BBC Two series Wolf Hall took us through the historical whirlwind of Tudor politics, the spellbinding drama returns for its second season with star Mark Rylance reprising his BAFTA-winning role as Thomas Cromwell. Dealing with the aftermath of Anne Boleyn's grim fate, Rylance, 64, delves into his character's complex feelings: "We left Cromwell right after the execution of Anne Boleyn. She was someone who he really liked because she was intelligent and cultured, so I think it was quite tragic for him," shared Rylance, reflecting on where the story picks up.
"This series begins right at the same moment, with a different perspective of the execution. Cromwell becomes increasingly required to be a brutal guard dog for his master, but he never really loses his compassion and empathy for other human beings." The gripping UK drama, based on Hilary Mantel’s best-selling novel 'Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light’, follows Cromwell as he navigates King Henry VIII's terrifying rule, portrayed by Damian Lewis who dons extra padding this time to embody the more stout and formidable figure that history recalls, especially post-accident.
Damian, 53, shared some behind-the-scenes details about his costume for the show, saying: "This is a heavily foamed suit that goes all the way down into my knees. It’s bloody hot – I’m the only person on set who hasn’t been cold since the start of November." He also spoke about the historical accuracy of his character, explaining: "It’s bloody hot – I’m the only person on set who hasn’t been cold since the start of November. I suppose what’s been fun about this is exploding certain myths. Until 1536, when Henry fell off his horse and had a bad injury to his leg, he was vigorous, athletic and tall. Part of his tragedy, and short-temperedness with everything, is because he was unable to ride, hunt and joust. He was in great pain for a lot of his time and his mood altered."
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Timothy Spall, 67, who takes over the role of the Duke of Norfolk from the late Bernard Hill, also embraced the show’s intricate Tudor attire. He joked: "I’ve got a very cheeky pair of leather tights on here. I’ve got these thigh-length boots, I’ve got a jerkin, a codpiece. All the men have a codpiece, which was an acceptable fashion and evidently a mark of your status and virility. Methinks the Duke of Norfolk protestheth – or displayeth – too much! But there we are. It’s superb."
Henry doesn't waste any time in making Jane Seymour (played by Kate Phillips) his third wife after executing his second, much to the dismay of Cromwell. Mark Rylance, who plays Cromwell, reveals: "You get an impression in the first series that Cromwell is falling in love with Jane," and "He has to step back when he witnesses Henry VIII falling in love with her." Kate adds to this, saying: "Cromwell is one of the very few people in Jane’s life that she can rely on, that she confides in. I think there’s a huge amount of underlying pain that exists in lots of the scenes where I think they would, if they could, have been together – but the King gets in the way."
The Peaky Blinders and Downton Abbey actress takes on a bigger role this series as Jane, which was her first-ever acting gig for the first series back in 2015. She recalls: "I still remember walking on set and being greeted by Mark – the level of generosity and calm he offers when you’re on set together is unlike anything else," and "Unlike the first series where Jane was very much on the periphery, now she’s really allowed to be open about that level of intimacy that she would’ve had with the King, which has been really fun to play with Damian."
King Henry's growing paranoia sees Cromwell in the firing line, and it's something the wily advisor has long anticipated. Mark reflects, "He’s always aware that something bad could happen," He adds, "You are reaping great benefits, but you are dealing with people who are trying to put a knife in your back." Portraying such cutthroat politics still shocks the actor: "It’s quite a thing to act in this story and to come into touch with just how very violent our society was 500 years ago," he confesses.
While modern times are less brutal, Mark notes the danger Cromwell navigates: "We’re still pretty violent now, but this was intense. Cromwell is walking the line, very close to that being his fate. I don’t know how you would prepare yourself for that." Yet the grim history wouldn't deter him from a quirky career pivot. Joking about tougher times, he says, "A delightful part of the job is filming at Hampton Court and other curious places. When I hit hard times, I will do a Cromwell tour for American tourists coming to England – that will keep me going in my old age!".
