The three-part British period drama 'Anne Boleyn' has captivated audiences with its charged storylines, outstanding performances, and memorable characters. Developed for Channel 5 and first broadcast in June 2021, this psychological thriller rooted in harrowing true events has drawn widespread acclaim.
Plot and Production
Penned by Eve Hedderwick and helmed by Lynsey Miller, the mini-series features historian Dan Jones as executive producer. It covers the final five months of Anne Boleyn's life, who served as Queen of England from 1533 to 1536 and was executed for treason in 1536. The series synopsis states: 'The final months of Boleyn's life, her struggle with Tudor England's patriarchal society, her desire to secure a future for her daughter, Elizabeth, and the brutal reality of her failure to provide Henry with a male heir.'
Principal photography took place across Yorkshire over six weeks, including locations such as Castle Howard, Bolton Abbey, Ripley Castle, St Michael's Church in Emley, Bolton Castle, Oakwell Hall, and Harewood House.
Cast and Reception
Jodie Turner-Smith stars as Anne Boleyn, joined by Mark Stanley, Paapa Essiedu, Barry Ward, Amanda Burton, Lola Petticrew, Thalissa Teixeira, and Isabella Laughland. Her casting has been divisive, with some applauding her commanding performance and others criticizing it as 'rewriting of history.'
Critics have been largely positive. One review noted: 'Anne Boleyn and Turner-Smith make the dusty, distant history feel immediate and pertinent once more.' Another critic wrote: 'Jodie Turner-Smith is mesmerising in this three-part series.' However, some reviewers felt it struggled to bring freshness: 'For the most part, we've been down this road so many times that Miller and her actors struggle to bring much that's fresh to the table.'
Audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb have been enthusiastic. One Rotten Tomatoes user said: 'Jodie Turner-Smith is amazing in the title role. The entire cast does a great job, it's well directed, and it's very entertaining.' An IMDb user added: 'This is a wonderful period piece... Jodie Turner-Smith is a legend and this is only the first role I have seen her play. She is absolutely stunning.' Another viewer commented: 'Riveting... Jodie Turner-Smith's acting made this series riveting and she portrayed Queen Anne with great dignity.'
All three episodes of 'Anne Boleyn' are available to purchase on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.
