Fan-favourite BBC drama to return for final series after almost a decade

Wolf Hall, Damian Lewis, Sir Mark Rylance — Wolf Hall is back for one more series after almost a decade away (Picture: BBC)

After almost a decade away from our screens, acclaimed BBC drama series Wolf Hall is officially set to return to TV in the near future.

The 2015 six-part story, which pulled a peak TV audience of over five million at the time, is an adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s first two Wolf Hall novels.

Wolf Hall was built around the life and experiences of controversial historical statesman and lawyer Thomas Cromwell, who lived from 1485 until 1540.

With one more novel, The Mirror and the Light, yet to be adapted to screen – having only been released in 2020 – fans were hoping for a big return.

They’ve now officially got their wish, with several key faces returning to the action, including stars Sir Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis, and Johnathan Pryce.

Author Mantel won the Booker Prize for the 2009 novel Wolf Hall and again for its sequel, Bring Up The Bodies, in 2012 – she died in September 2022, aged 70.

EMBARGOED TO 1400 MONDAY NOVEMBER 20 For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo of Damian Lewis as King Henry VIII (left) and Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, which is adapted from the third book in Dame Hilary Mantel's historical trilogy. Director Peter Kosminsky has said the final Wolf Hall series will honour Hilary Mantel. Issue date: Monday November 20, 2023. PA Photo. Hilary Mantel, who won the Booker Prize for her 2009 novel Wolf Hall and again for its sequel, Bring Up The Bodies, in 2012, died last year in September aged 70. See PA story Showbiz WolfHall. Photo credit should read: Ed Miller/Company Productions Ltd/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption. — The series takes place in the Tudor era (Picture: PA)

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The original series earned Sir Mark a Bafta for his performance as Cromwell, who became an influential figure during the Tudor period and the reign of Henry VIII.

Peter Kosminsky is set to return as director as well, and has promised that the upcoming episodes – set to be filmed soon – will stay true to Mantel’s vision.

‘The Mirror and the Light picks up exactly where Wolf Hall ended, with the execution of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn.’

epa10201508 (FILE) - Winner of the 2009 Man Booker Prize, British novelist Hilary Mantel poses for photographers with her book 'Wolf Hall' after the winner announcement held at the Guildhall in London, Britain, 06 October 2009 (reissued 22 September 2022). According to a statement of her publishing house HarperCollins, Hilary Mantel has died aged 70 on 22 September 2022. EPA/DANIEL DEME *** Local Caption *** 57946148 — Hilary Mantel died aged 70 in 2022 (Picture: EPA)

EMBARGOED TO 1400 MONDAY NOVEMBER 20 For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo of Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, which is adapted from the third book in Dame Hilary Mantel's historical trilogy. Director Peter Kosminsky has said the final Wolf Hall series will honour Hilary Mantel. Issue date: Monday November 20, 2023. PA Photo. Hilary Mantel, who won the Booker Prize for her 2009 novel Wolf Hall and again for its sequel, Bring Up The Bodies, in 2012, died last year in September aged 70. See PA story Showbiz WolfHall. Photo credit should read: Ed Miller/Company Productions Ltd/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption. — Sir Mark Rylance will return as Oliver Cromwell (Picture: PA)

Peter continued: ‘I’m overjoyed to be able to reunite the extraordinary cast we were lucky enough to assemble for Wolf Hall.’

‘We are all determined to complete what we started – and to honour the final novel written by one of the greatest literary figures of our age, Hilary Mantel.’

It’s not yet known how many episodes the new series will consist of, but the third novel is double the length of the second novel, with almost 900 pages.

The final book also received significant critical acclaim and won Mantel the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, which she had first won for Wolf Hall.

Wolf Hall was considered a hit by readers at the time, and many will be hoping the follow-up series lives up to its high expectations.

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