Channel 5 To Show Major History Series Examining Henry VIII’s Wives
Henry VIII and His Six Wives is the story of the Tudor King, rich in emotional and psychological drama, brought vividly to life through lavishly realised dramatic reconstruction and the duelling perspectives of two of Channel 5’s most vibrant historians.
The series was commissioned by Simon Raikes for Channel 5, which is now being looked after by Lucy Willis and executive produced by Nick Kent and Susan Jones for Oxford Film & Television with Chris Holt as Series Director.
Presented by two of the most exciting young historians in the country, Suzannah Lipscomb and Dan Jones will lead us through the web of intrigue, scandal, romance, lust, betrayal and tragedy that characterised Henry’s six marriages. Suzannah and Dan will view the dramatic events of each union from the perspectives of man and woman, King and Queen.
In each episode, Henry VIII and His Six Wives will bring to life the experiences of Henry’s Queens to see what they saw, feel what they felt, each time capturing Henry at a different stage of his life and reign. From the vigorous Renaissance prince eager to step out of his father’s shadow to the anxious middle-aged man desperate for an heir, to the irascible elder statesman in need of love and affection, the series will chronicle Henry’s life choices.
Commissioning editor at Channel 5, Lucy Willis said: “History programming is very important to Channel 5 and Henry VIII and His Six Wives builds on our success in the genre. The Tudors always stir the British imagination and none more so than Henry VIII. This will be the first time that our history duo will be presenting together and Dan and Suzannah are the perfect combination to accurately bring this important period to life. Viewers are familiar with the story of the six wives but what makes this series unique is that it examines the emotional relationship and passions of the protagonists as revealed by Dan jones (for Henry) and Susannah (for the wives)”
Nick Kent Creative Director at Oxford Film & TV said: “We’re used to seeing this story from Henry’s point of view. In this series Dan and Suzannah give us the contrasting viewpoints of the King and each of his six Queens so that we experience all the emotional and psychological drama of the loves, lies, despair and deceit which defined these marriages. These six extraordinary women were more than just wives; they were Queens who made Henry the man he was and so shaped our nation.”
Dispelling myths and bringing these relationships to life with stunning dramatic reconstructions Henry VIII and His Six Wives will challenge what you think you know about the Tudor King.
Channel 5 historical docu-dramas have garnered both critical and popular acclaim over the last 18 months. Britain’s Bloody Crown which was broadcast on the channel in January of this year averaged nearly a million viewers at 8pm, with 3.9 million watching across the series.
