Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light – Mark Rylance’s titanic Tudor drama is the best TV you’ll see all year

The final instalment of Hilary Mantel’s Tudor trilogy comes to the BBC and it’s a suitably epic conclusion

Prepare to be blown away by the BBC’s adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s final book in her Tudor trilogy, The Mirror and the Light. This six-part series is a masterpiece of historical drama, with Mark Rylance delivering a tour-de-force performance as Thomas Cromwell, the ruthless and enigmatic fixer who served Henry VIII.

The series picks up where Wolf Hall left off, with Cromwell at the height of his power. He is the king’s most trusted advisor, and he has engineered the downfall of Anne Boleyn. But Cromwell’s position is precarious. Henry is growing increasingly tyrannical, and his enemies are circling.

A cast of thousands

The Mirror and the Light boasts a stellar cast, including Damian Lewis as Henry VIII, Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn, and Tom Glynn-Carney as Thomas More. But it is Rylance who steals the show as Cromwell. He brings a quiet intensity to the role, and he captures Cromwell’s intelligence, ambition, and vulnerability.

A sweeping historical epic

The series is a sweeping historical epic that brings the Tudor court to life. The costumes and sets are sumptuous, and the acting is superb. But The Mirror and the Light is more than just a historical drama. It is also a meditation on power, ambition, and the human cost of political intrigue.

A must-see for fans of historical drama

If you are a fan of historical drama, then you will not want to miss The Mirror and the Light. It is a gripping, thought-provoking, and beautifully made series that will stay with you long after you have finished watching it.

Here are a few reasons why The Mirror and the Light is the best TV you’ll see all year:

• Mark Rylance’s tour-de-force performance as Thomas Cromwell
• A stellar cast that includes Damian Lewis, Claire Foy, and Tom Glynn-Carney
• A sweeping historical epic that brings the Tudor court to life
• A meditation on power, ambition, and the human cost of political intrigue

So, what are you waiting for? Tune in to The Mirror and the Light on BBC One on Sunday nights at 9pm, or catch up on BBC iPlayer.