Fans of historical drama can now stream all four series of The Tudors for free on Channel 4. The show, which originally aired on BBC, stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII and explores his tumultuous reign and six marriages.
The series begins in 1518, focusing on a young Henry grappling with political pressures and his failure to produce a male heir. His relationship with Anne Boleyn, played by Natalie Dormer, leads to the break from the Roman Catholic Church. Henry Cavill also stars as Charles Brandon, the king's confidant.
The Tudors has been praised for its costumes, sets, and cinematography, though some critics noted its melodramatic tone. Despite historical liberties, fans on Reddit have called it a "mid 2000s masterpiece" and noted its influence on later period dramas.
The show earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Drama Series in 2007, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers received two Best Actor nominations. It also won Creative Arts Emmy Awards for Outstanding Costumes and Outstanding Main Title Theme Music.
