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Anna Regina

Episode 3 of 6

Historical drama. Cromwell manoeuvres a bill through Parliament that acknowledges Henry rather than the pope as head of the Church of England.

Although he has no official title, Cromwell is relied on more and more in the running of the king's affairs. Cromwell manoeuvres a bill through Parliament acknowledging Henry rather than the pope as head of the Church of England. This is the first step in Cromwell's plan for Henry to grant his own divorce from Katherine of Aragon.

A major obstacle to Henry's marriage plan arises when Harry Percy's wife claims her own marriage is unlawful on the grounds her husband had previously made a binding contract of marriage with Anne Boleyn. With the cardinal now dead, the Boleyn family looks to Cromwell to fix Harry Percy, a task Cromwell approaches with relish, remembering how Percy helped bring the cardinal down. As Anne and Cromwell become allies, Anne secures him a formal position in the king's household. The king and his court, including Cromwell, head to Calais to meet with the French king, expecting that he will pledge his support of the Bill and Henry's marriage suit.

At a dance, Anne flirts with the French nobility to Henry's evident fury. She and Henry argue violently, but when they are reconciled Henry finally pledges himself to Anne before witnesses. Henry marries Anne upon their return to England and she is crowned queen. Even in her moment of triumph, and as Cromwell congratulates her, Anne knows the old noble families hate her and will never accept her. Anne is pregnant and leaves court to begin her confinement. She has achieved what she wanted, but it has come at a cost. As Cromwell is all too aware, Anne must now produce a male heir or risk suffering Katherine's fate.

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1 hour

Audio described

Last on

Tue 20 Dec 2022 22:00

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
Jane Seymour Kate Phillips
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
William Brereton Alastair Mackenzie
Katherine of Aragon Joanne Whalley
George Boleyn Edward Holcroft
Edward Seymour Ed Speleers
Thomas Wyatt Jack Lowden
Writer Peter Straughan
Producer Mark Pybus
Director Peter Kosminsky
Production Company Company Pictures
Writer Peter Straughan

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