If your pearls are gathering dust on your bedside table following January’s binge-watching of Bridgerton, then prepare yourselves – and your wardrobe – for Jodie Turner-Smith's forthcoming period drama, Anne Boleyn.
Last year, Channel 5 announced that the Queen and Slim actor would be taking on the lead role as Boleyn in their thriller series, written by Eve Hedderwick Turner and directed by BAFTA winner Lynsey Miller.
According to the channel, the three-part mini series will ‘shine a feminist light’ on the royal’s challenges while attempting to navigate Tudor England, what with its patriarchal society and the fact she was married to the pretty awful Henry VIII.
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Here's everything you need to know about Anne Boleyn, from the plot and release date, to who the royal was and the series' trailer:
Who was Anne Boleyn?
A quick history recap for you – Anne Boleyn was the second wife of King Henry VIII and served as the Queen of England in the 1530s.
The couple’s marriage was rather controversial for several reasons, firstly given the fact she was a maid of honour to Henry’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Secondly, the king’s mistress, Mary, introduced him to Anne (her sister) and when the king asked for an annulment from the Catholic Church to end his marriage to Catherine, he was refused. The Church’s rejection of the request resulted in Henry breaking away from Catholicism altogether to marry Boleyn and set up the Church of England. Nothing like a bit of personal drama to inspire a royal to create their own religious system, right?
Despite giving birth to their daughter, Elizabeth (who went onto become Queen Elizabeth I), Boleyn is believed to have angered her husband for not giving him a son, and in 1536 she was executed on false charges of incest, adultery and witchcraft. Oh, and on the belief that she had tried to conspire against her husband.
To make matters worse for Boleyn, a year into their marriage it’s believed her husband had already struck up a relationship with Jane Seymour, who he went onto marry.
Who stars in the Jodie Turner-Smith Anne Boleyn series?
Alongside Turner-Smith we’ll welcome I May Destroy You’s Paapa Essiedu to the screen (as Boleyn’s brother), as well as actors Mark Stanley (Henry VIII), Thalissa Teixeira, Amanda Burton, Barry Ward, Jamael Westma and Lola Petticrew (Jane Seymour).
After news of her leading the project broke in 2020, Turner-Smith said in a statement: ‘I am so excited to join these exciting filmmakers in bringing the story of one of history’s most controversial queens to the screen.
‘Delving deeper into Anne Boleyn’s immense strengths while examining her fatal weaknesses and vulnerabilities, Eve’s scripts immediately captured my imagination.’
In February 2021, Turner-Smith shared a still on Instagram from her time filming the series in which she wears a black fitted dress and a pearl necklace with a gold ‘B’ pendant.
‘Yup yup here for this, [sic]’ Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo on the photo. ‘THIS RIGHT HERE [sic],’ added Kerry Washington. ‘Gorgeous congratulations!!! [sic]’ wrote singer Cynthia Erivo.
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What is the Anne Boleyn plot?
Variety reports Anne Boleyn will explore the royal’s final months from her point of view ‘as she struggles to secure a future for her daughter and challenge the powerful patriarchy closing in around her.
‘The series will depict the key moments that cause Anne to topple, reflecting her strength, fatal vulnerabilities and determination to be an equal among men.’
Is there an Anne Boleyn trailer?
Yes. On May 14, Channel 5 shared the full 60-second trailer for the new series, during which Turner-Smith's character can be seen on trial for treason, going through childbirth, arguing with King Henry VIII and from the looks of the end of the clip, preparing to be beheaded.
The trailer - which you can watch in full, above - suggests Boleyn's story will be told through her eyes and questions whether the tragic queen was a 'trailblazer or traitor' or 'sinner or saint?'
Prior to this, Channel 5 had shared a teaser in which Turner Smith can be seen walking in a dimly-lit room wearing an all-black ensemble, with a very solemn look in her eyes.
The actor shared the video on her Instagram account and, from the looks of her followers' reactions to the clip, everyone is very excited.
The series wrapped production on location in Yorkshire in December, and is scheduled for release 'soon' according to Channel 5.
What has Jodie Turner-Smith said about portraying Anne Boleyn?
Speaking to ELLE UK for an 'Ask Me Anything' video, the Without Remorse star was asked if she would channel anything she learned from playing the royal in her actual life.
'One thing that really resonated with me was that she was a woman who loved fiercely and as a mother wanted the best for her children,' Turner-Smith considered.
'But I think the whole thing of being in that royal drama and seeking that kind of a life, then getting beheaded? I think I'm ok with just being a commoner. I'm good.'
Which, we think, is fair enough.
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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
