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British history was never this much fun.
History has always depicted Henry VIII as a rotund, middle-aged monarch on the end of a chicken drumstick. But Showtime would have us erase that from our memory, and it’s fair to say their alternative is a much juicier substitute indeed.
In The Tudors, the young King is a sexy, rebellious bad boy, throwing wild parties and sowing his wild oats. Henry, it seems, is really a bit of a rock god. And with the gorgeous Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the role, who am I to argue?
Rhys Meyers played bisexual glam rocker Brian Slade in the over-the-top ’70s homage, Velvet Goldmine. Here he goes one step further, revelling in a brazen, philandering role. Even the subtitle of this mini-series spells it out: It’s Good To Be King.
This excessive, soapie approach to Britain’s past is the work of writer Michael Hirst (Elizabeth). He beefs up the ambitions and egos of his central players, giving little time to the intricacies of history. Henry comes across as a kind of forerunner to J.R. Ewing.
Henry VIII ascended to the throne by default after the death of his older brother. But he was unable to father a child with his wife, Katherine of Aragon.
The Tudors would have us believe he satiated much of this discontent by seducing every maiden in sight.
There are lots of boudoir scenes with Rhys Meyers ripping off silk shirts. Ripping torsos, nubile nipples and hot, steamy sex abounds.
Several of the other key cast members are anatomic specimens, with designer haircuts and groomed styles that leave them looking like they’ve stepped out of Footballers’ Wives or Satisfaction.
Providing some acting establishment to the cast is Sam Neill as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. As Henry’s chief advisor, Wolsey wields power with almost as much abuse as the King, but with less bombastic arrogance. The ageless Neill is an easy fit for this tempered role.
Visually, The Tudors is a treat. Shot lavishly in Ireland, it boasts glorious costumes and green, British landscapes.
There are swordfights, battles, pomp and grand ceremony and righteous speeches.
I don’t mean to give the impression that this is all window dressing with no substance. Indeed there were Golden Globe nominations for both Rhys Meyers and the 10-part series. It’s not going to replace curriculum classics like A Man for All Seasons, but who’s complaining?
The Tudors screens 8:30pm Wednesdays on Showcase.
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