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Entirely Beloved

Episode 2 of 6

Historical drama chronicling Thomas Cromwell's rise to power. As Wolsey retreats north, he urges Cromwell to get close to Anne Boleyn to regain the King's favour.

Cardinal Wolsey has been forced out of court to travel north to his archdiocese in York. For Thomas Cromwell, this is only a tactical retreat; in time the cardinal will regain the King's favour. Wolsey urges Cromwell to find a way to get close to Anne Boleyn for she is the key to persuading the King to restore him.

Cromwell visits Thomas More and his family at their home in Chelsea. More is amiable but the atmosphere is tense. He is determined to clamp down on heresy and is convinced that Cromwell has Protestant leanings.

Anne Boleyn summons Cromwell, wanting to know if she has an ally in him. She is aware of letters sent between Queen Katherine and the cardinal which are tantamount to treason and is becoming impatient waiting for Henry. Cromwell observes her taking her frustration out on her ladies-in-waiting, including young Jane Seymour who Cromwell takes pity on.

The King starts to take notice of Cromwell. Henry admires his loyalty to the cardinal and appreciates the honest and open way Cromwell talks to him. An intimacy develops and Henry comes to rely on Cromwell's advice.

There is then news from the north. The cardinal is arrested for treason by Harry Percy, a vengeful act for denying his betrothal to Anne Boleyn eight years earlier. The cardinal's health deteriorates rapidly and he dies on the journey south to the Tower of London.

At court, a party is held to mark the demise of the Cardinal. Cromwell closely watches those that celebrate Wolsey's death and as Cromwell is sworn in to the King's Council, he swears vengeance on those that brought the cardinal down.

Available now

1 hour

Audio described

Last on

Mon 19 Dec 2022 23:20

Credits

Role Contributor
Thomas Cromwell Mark Rylance
King Henry VIII Damian Lewis
Anne Boleyn Claire Foy
Cardinal Wolsey Jonathan Pryce
Duke of Norfolk Bernard Hill
Thomas More Anton Lesser
Stephen Gardiner Mark Gatiss
Rafe Sadler Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Harry Percy Harry Lloyd
Jane Rochford Jessica Raine
Johane Williamson Saskia Reeves
Mary Boleyn Charity Wakefield
Richard Cromwell Joss Porter
Gregory Cromwell Tom Holland
Jane Seymour Kate Phillips
George Cavendish Robert Wilfort
Duke of Suffolk Richard Dillane
Henry Norris Luke Roberts
Thomas Cranmer Will Keen
Frances Weston Jacob Fortune-Lloyd
Sir Thomas Boleyn David Robb
Thomas Wriothesley Joel MacCormack
Mark Smeaton Max Fowler
William Brereton Alastair Mackenzie
George Boleyn Edward Holcroft
Writer Peter Straughan
Producer Mark Pybus
Director Peter Kosminsky

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