Hilary Mantel’s trilogy of novels offered up several theories. Maybe the son of a blacksmith became Cardinal Wolsey’s right-hand man, and then a leading political figure in his own right, because he coveted power. Perhaps Cromwell wanted a better standard of living, to push through religious reform, or to triumph over aristocrats who sneered at his low birth. Maybe a quiet life would have bored him.
The star-studded voice cast will be led by narrator Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton), while Claire Foy (The Crown) and Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) will star as Mrs and Mr Thomas, and Miriam Margolyes (Harry Potter) and Maggie Steed (Paddington 2) as the Aunts.
Charlie Higson (The Fast Show) will play the Jolly Uncle, Zawe Ashton (Mr Malcolms List) one of Mog's neighbours, and comedian Gareth Berliner (Dr Who) the Chestnut Seller.
Written by Sarah Phelps (Dublin Murders), the series will see Foy star as Margaret Campbell, the Duchess of Argyll, with Bettany starring as her husband Ian Campbell, 11th Duke of Argyll, and Davis as Maureen, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava.
A Very British Scandal will explore one of the most extraordinary and notoriously brutal legal cases of the 20th century: the divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll.
Written by Toni Grisoni (Southcliffe) and Simon Maxwell (Deep State), the eight-part series will follow two families, the Marlows and the Wyatts, who have been feuding in the ‘Edgelands’ of the Thames estuary for centuries.
In the land of mudlarks, smugglers, entrepreneurs and opportunists, the two families are natural enemies with a mutual fascination.
Created by the team behind A Very English Scandal and written by Sarah Phelps (Dublin Murders), the three-part series will focus on one of the most notorious legal case of the 20th century: the Duke of Argyll’s divorce from Duchess Margaret Argyll.
Under the aggressively watchful eye of the 1960s media, Margaret, once famed for her charisma, style and beauty, dominated front pages as her divorce carried allegations of theft, forgery, violence, drug-taking, secret recording, bribery and an explicit polaroid picture.
A short trailer accompanied the announcement, in which Olivia Colman’s Queen Elizabeth II declares: “Something as important as the monarchy simply cannot be allowed to fail.”
The trailer also introduced the characters of Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana, played by Gillian Anderson and Emma Corrin.
The coming series will follow the arrival of Thatcher as Prime Minister and Diana’s turbulent relationship with Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor).
Morgan had originally planned for six series of the much-loved drama, but has decided that the fifth series “is the perfect time and place to stop”.
Morgan thanked Netflix and Sony for supporting his decision and described Staunton as an “astonishing talent” and a “fantastic successor”.
Staunton will be the final actor to play the Queen after predecessors Claire Foy and Olivia Colman, taking the series into the 21st Century.
The Crown first aired in 2016 and with its big budget production spend, was hailed as a game-changing drama for Netflix.
Series binging over weekly releases has become the new norm, and brand new, high-quality TV content seems to be in endless supply.
The competition for viewers’ attention has intensified tenfold, and the leading broadcasters have risen to the challenge.
At the beginning of a new decade, we look back at some of the most memorable performances and series of the last ten years.
