In the US: Showtime, Sundays, 10pm ET/PT
In the UK: Not yet acquired for some reason
There are all sorts of debates in historical circles about what constitutes history. While most historical education dwells on dates of battles, treaties, coronations and so on, is that really what history is about? Does that undervalue women's contributions, for instance? What about the history of small things like the food we eat or how we actually lived?
TV networks such as BBC, HBO and Showtime have all decided that a very important part of history is being overlooked. With shows such as Rome and now The Tudors, they've attempted to redress the balance. They want us to remember the history of shagging.
The Plot
The Tudors focuses on the life and romances of the young King Henry VIII. The ten one-hour episodes take a look at the often overlooked early political relationships as well as Henry's trysts with such notable women as Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. The series is shot on location in Ireland. Michael Hirst (Elizabeth) is the series creator, writer, and executive producer.
Is it any good?
The Tudors stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII. Yes, you know, portly old Henry VIII, composer of Greensleeves, mass wife divorcer and murderer, establisher of the Church of England, et al.
Except this is young Henry and his early exploits, for which we should read "attempts to establish pan-European peace and shag a lot". Myers, whose Irish accent can't stand being hidden for more than a minute so re-emerges at the slightest prompting, depicts him as a lover, intellectual and Real Tennis player, who likes to shag a lot.
Did I mention there's a lot of shagging?
Actually, there's not much shagging. I'm just messing. It just seems like it when all you're waiting for is the founding of Trinity College, Cambridge, and the dissolution of the monasteries.
I have no idea just how historically authentic The Tudors is, thanks to a GCSE History education that bypassed the years between 1066 and 1720, although 85% is apparently the figure to aim for. Certainly, it makes the whole Tudor period seem a whole lot more interesting than constant Catholic burning and you have to admire a show that kills off Sean Pertwee in the first few minutes. It also has a great cast, with a whole host of heavyweights like Sam Neill (Cardinal Wolsey) and Jeremy Northam (Sir Thomas More) wading in to bring gravitas to proceedings.
As popular history goes, this is one of the better shows, but I suspect it'll have more than a few historians crying into their giant pillows. One to watch, even if a Simon Schama hand-wave show feels too much like book learning.
Here's a YouTube trailer that gives a great big explanation of the show and has clips. Very interesting.
Cast
Jonathan Rhys Meyers (King Henry VIII)
Sam Neill (Cardinal Thomas Wolsey)
Callum Blue (Knivert)
Henry Cavill (Charles Brandon)
Henry Czerny (Norfolk)
Natalie Dormer (Anne Boleyn)
Maria Doyle Kennedy (Queen Katherine)
Jeremy Northam (Sir Thomas More)
Updates and related entries
May 8, 2007:
My wife's comments on the historical authenticity of The Tudors and the usefulness of How The Edwardians Spoke.
April 10, 2007 | Reply
Has this got bought up for the UK?
I actually don't mind drama histories: as much as I love Simon Schama, there is something about his style and manner of presentation that presses all the cliches of presenting history (social, political, cultural) even if he does have a slightly better grasp of historical detail.
Interesting is the right word, even if the shagging does feel a little bit over-done! Mind, what's the point of getting a fit young lad like JRM in if you ain't gonna use his physique as a selling point?
April 10, 2007 | Reply
Kudos for eschewing such obvious fare with a gargantuan Henry VIII and cod Shakespearean dialogue, will have to wait and see if it is actually any good.
Wasn't tennis invented in the 19th century?
April 10, 2007 | Reply
Lawn tennis was. 'Real tennis' is an indoor game, looks like a cross between tennis and squash, and it was already old when Henry started playing it.
Only about five people play it today. One of them finds it very hard to get a game.
April 10, 2007 | Reply
"Has this got bought up for the UK?"
Not yet, but I suspect someone will at the April screenings in LA.