Showtime’s “The Tudors” makes history sexy
Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Natalie Dormer star in Henry VIII drama
By Bradley Bowen
Entertainment Editor
Prepare yourself for a world
of beautiful ladies, loyal
knights, backstabbing cardinals
and one rowdy king.
Prepare yourself for the Tudor
dynasty.
Showtime’s new original series
follows a young Henry VIII portrayed
by the Golden Globe Award-winning
Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers in
his role as King of England.
Joining Rhys Meyers in the cast
are Maria Doyle Kennedy as the
scorned Queen Katherine, Sam Neill
as the treacherous Cardinal Thomas
Wolsey and Natalie Dormer as the
seductive Anne Boleyn.
Some reviews have been negative,
such as The New Republic calling
the show “the ‘Dallas’ of the ancient
British aristocracy.”
In fact, the soap opera feeling of it
all only adds to the suspense. The first
few episodes show the problems leading
to Henry’s first divorce, including
Henry fathering a bastard child
through one of his many affairs, marrying
off his sister, Princess Margaret,
to the decrepit king of Portugal,
his growing disinterest with his seemingly
infertile wife, and above all, his
lust for the young Anne Boleyn.
While actual events put Henry
in his early 40s during this time period,
Rhys Meyers is only 29. This
groundbreaking new series re-wrote
history and cast the young star as a
good-looking, spoiled king who is
hungry for war, sex and whatever
else he can get his hands on.
The drama takes place before an
elegant backdrop that is no doubt the
result of Showtime’s extensive budget.
The costumes are also a sight to see.
The combination makes the viewer
feel that he has traveled back in time.
The acting is top-notch: these fine
actors will undoubtedly be nominated
for multiple honors come awards
season. Expect this to be a real
breakout role for Natalie Dormer,
and a vehicle to further brighten
Rhys Meyers’ already shining star.
Keep in mind that this show is rated
TV-MA, as it contains nudity, violence
and adult content. Viewer discretion is
advised because of explicit sex scenes.
Watch history unfold on Showtime.
The remaining first-season episodes will
air on Sundays at 9 p.m. central time. |
