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The Tudors

Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII in The Tudors
  • Posted at 5:15pm
  • 14 August 2008
  • by AlisonGraham-RT
  • 17 comments

Call me shallow but I love The Tudors, not for the mucky bits, of which there are many, but for the jewellery. There's a crown Queen Anne wears that I really, really want. It's a pearl-laden thing of beauty; of course I have no particular use for a crown, but the sheer joy of ownership would be immense.

And I was in raptures as the unfortunate Catherine of Aragon (Maria Doyle Kennedy), who has done little except look glum in a series of big hats, was ordered by Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) to return the royal jewels. Ooooh, they were gorgeous. I'd never really felt terribly sorry for Catherine until that moment, but how I ached for a woman deprived of the most divinely chunky cuff bracelet. I think we can all empathise, surely, ladies?

The Tudors looks sumptuously lovely, though I have no idea of its historical accuracy. I like to think of it as Dr David Starkey meets Dallas, with dinky Rhys Meyers as JR/Henry VIII. Strutting around in fetching jerkins, his hair gelled and his eyes all glinty and blue, he looks like a sexy lizard out on the pull.

Not that he has to try too hard with The Laydees, who all seem to disrobe quicker than you can say "dissolution of the monasteries". Meyers too is keen to whip off his vest at every opportunity, or roam around in a puffy blouson, slashed to the waist. In Friday's (15 August) episode he plays a rigorous game of chess, which in itself doesn't sound very outré. But he's naked and the chessboard is some doxy's bare backside. Let's hope he warmed the pieces first.

Mind you, Meyers is less able to cast off his native Irish accent, particularly when he gets into a Henry VIII rant. The Tudors is filmed in Ireland and involves a lot of Irish talent, both in front of and behind the cameras. (More TV series than you would probably realise - George Gently, Murphy's Law, to name but two - are filmed in Ireland, because it's cheaper than filming over here.) Meyers probably feels at home, which is why his accent leaks out from time to time in a way that is slightly endearing, though a bit odd.

Elsewhere, just about everyone spends lots of time glowering in dark corridors or, for a bit of light relief, hopping around at those deadly-looking Elizabethan TV costume drama dances where the participants clap as they twirl around one another to tedious woodwind music. In the words of Peter Kay, put a bit of Basement Jaxx on.

**

Alison Graham is TV editor of Radio Times - read her column in the latest issue of Radio Times magazine, on sale now.

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Comments

  • Posted on 14 September 2009
  • at 5:41pm
  • by Dawn Hall

I am totally obsessed with the Tudors, have never missed one episode, one of the best Drama series i have ever seen. 10/10 Outstanding!!!!!

  • Posted on 12 August 2009
  • at 10:53am
  • by Minxy princess

I absolutely loved this series and cant wait for the new one to start. I do agree the Jonathan Ryes Meyers is a bit young now to still be playing Henry but who cares he is gorgeous, so much eye candy both for us ladies and the men, sumptious costumes and jewellery, although not historicall that acurate - who care is supposed to be entertaining and it certainly is.

  • Posted on 29 May 2009
  • at 1:33pm
  • by frubeng

I enjoyed the show until i heard the king's irish accent. I find it of very bad taste that the king of England would have an irish accent. The fact that he is a very poor actor and cannot control his accent ruins this series.

  • Posted on 04 April 2009
  • at 12:17am
  • by Trish

My friends & me all love the Tudors! We call it Medieval Hollyoaks! Who cares about historical accuracy when everyone looks so gorgeous. Call me shallow but I did enough History at school thank you very much & now I just want to be entertained. My only criticism is the under use of Henry Cavill who plays Charles Brandon - could we please see a lot more of him in series three!

  • Posted on 28 January 2009
  • at 11:52am
  • by Maria Robson

I think the Tudors is fantastic, a bit steamy sometimes, but excellently acted and very very watchable. OK its not that true to fact but its compelling viewing. Cant wait to see Joss Stone as Anne of Cleves although I think she may be a bit too good looking for the role. Roll on 28 January!

  • Posted on 28 January 2009
  • at 8:48am
  • by Hels

Does anyone know when series three will be aired? Can't wait much longer !!!!

  • Posted on 06 January 2009
  • at 9:51pm
  • by booder

i got the box set 4 christmas too its amaaaazzzziiinn init god! id be wearin them dresses constantly if i cud there well nice arnt they i wish it was the law to dress like that again! ohhhh and yeh all the jewellery were just as nice too :D xxxx

  • Posted on 01 January 2009
  • at 9:18pm
  • by Anne

My daughter bought me seasons one and two for christmas I was glued and have watched them all, I hope that they hurry up and make seasons 3 and so on can,t wait to watch them

  • Posted on 22 November 2008
  • at 6:39pm
  • by lin

the tudors. bloody marvelous... have bought the 1st and 2nd series and cant wait for the rest!!!

  • Posted on 04 October 2008
  • at 11:47am
  • by Linda Lou

Watched the last of this series of the Tudors last night absolutely fantastic, great to see a handsom Henry for a change. Can't wait for the next one. Well done BBC2.

  • Posted on 01 October 2008
  • at 1:06pm
  • by Sidsassy

Playing Henry as being underhand, shifty and Black-Adderish - well, this was a guy who thought that, as he, a King, was annointed by God, everything he did was God's will, so would he have been so obviously-underhanded?? You can see reflections of this Oh-so-firmly held belief being passed down the line in Bloody Mary's reluctance, despite it being the obvious and simple approach, to get rid of Elizabeth, and, similarly, Elizabeth's reluctance to shuffle Mary, Queen of Scots, off of this "mortal coil".

Nah, I think that Henry would have been far more arrogant in his approach: the comment he made in the series after deciding that Anne was a gonner - "I want another wife" would have been better put as "I need another wife", justifying everything he did as being for the good of "HIS" people and country, and the need to secure the succession.

  • Posted on 26 September 2008
  • at 4:34pm
  • by nefertari

although i am "enjoying" the tudors JRM is NOT convincing as Henry Vlll who was well into his forties by this stage, surely beeb you could try for a slightly more believable and historically accurate Henry or is he going to stay as 20 something for his entire reign???????????

  • Posted on 25 September 2008
  • at 8:55pm
  • by yangonite

This series is great because of:- the complex power-plays between Pope, Emperor, the French King, Henry, the Boleyn clan and others; the brilliant casting, ie Catherine even looks Spanish, Thomas Moore looks like his portrait in the National Portrait Gallery; the acting is phenomenal too. Nice one Beeb! it's what you do best.

  • Posted on 17 September 2008
  • at 9:24pm
  • by Jo

I loved Maria Doyle Kennedy's portrayal of Catherine in the first series. Sadly she hasn't had much to do in the second.

  • Posted on 19 August 2008
  • at 9:39pm
  • by Upsilon

The Grow your own Veg program the presenter did,nt say who those poor underpaid Eastern Europeans were ?the farming program on Sunday is even worse.

  • Posted on 19 August 2008
  • at 6:24pm
  • by Cathy

The history is probably more accurate than we realise. Whatever, the lustre of the production values is a feats of visuals. Yum.

  • Posted on 16 August 2008
  • at 4:46pm
  • by Lynne

I love "The Tudors" - the settings, the costumes - everything. This is a jewel in the crown of BB2 and just wonderful.

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