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Wolf Hall star Damian Lewis is on the cover of this week's Radio Times

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Wolf Hall star Damian Lewis is on the cover of this week's Radio Times

Damian Lewis on why he relishes playing "un-woke" Henry VIII as Hilary Mantel's epic returns to TV - plus director Peter Kosminsky: "I have been living and breathing this for 10 years."

Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell and Damian Lewis as Henry VIII in Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light, against a red background

BBC/Playground Entertainment/Jay Brooks

Shem Law

Published: Tuesday, 5 November 2024 at 2:36 pm

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It's hard to believe that it's almost 10 years since Wolf Hall arrived on TV. The BAFTA-winning drama was adapted from the first two books in Hilary Mantel's trilogy (Wolf Hall and Bringing Up the Bodies) based on the court of Henry VIII. It starred Damian Lewis as the king and Mark Rylance as his advisor and confidant, Thomas Cromwell.

It was a critical success, although I seem to remember some readers writing in about scenes shot by director Peter Kosminsky in nothing but candlelight being a little gloomy regardless of historical accuracy...

Now the final part of the trilogy, The Mirror and the Light, arrives on BBC One. In this week's issue, read our chat with Kosminsky and Lewis in which they reveal how Mantel worked closely with them right up until her death. It's a great reminder that brilliant drama can still be watched on the BBC in the age of big-budget streamers.

To mark Remembrance Sunday, and as a tribute to all veterans, we have an engaging interview with Gunner Roy Quinton, who fought in Italy during the Second World War. In this time of global conflict, his testament is truly poignant.

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Also in this week's Radio Times:

Kelsey Grammer on fatherhood, his friendship with Nicholas Lyndhurst - and why politics and comedy don't mix.
Paddy McGuinness is cycling 300 miles in five days for Children in Need - on a Chopper!
An award-winning film by Charlie Hamilton James explores the relationship between a wild otter and the man who saved her.

Did you know you can now order a previous edition of Radio Times magazine with our new back issues service?

Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Radio Times editor Shem Law wears a shirt, tie and grey jumper. He is sitting at a wooden desk behind a sign saying "Editor" clasping his hands. There are other items on the desk, including a dial telephone and typewriter.

Shem Law

Shem Law is the brand editor of Radio Times, and the 20th person to hold that esteemed position in over 100 years. He wasn't allowed a television growing up, but over the years he has rather overcompensated for that fact.

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