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Documentary series featuring dramatic reconstruction in which Lucy Worsley delves into the personal lives of Henry VIII's wives, beginning with Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn.

Documentary series featuring dramatic reconstruction in which Lucy Worsley revisits key events in the lives of Henry VIII's six wives, revealing how each attempted to exert influence on the king and the Tudor court. Lucy delves into records of private moments and personal feelings in the women's lives that ended up shaping the course of history.

This episode follows the emotional and physical struggles of Catherine of Aragon as she strove to give Henry the male heir he so desired. As Henry's eye wandered over the women at court, Anne Boleyn, not wishing to be cast aside as her sister Mary had been, repeatedly rejected the king's advances and insisted on marriage.

Henry set about trying to arrange an annulment, but Catherine was defiant and passionately defended her position.

10 months left to watch

57 minutes

On TV

Tuesday 18:36

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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:40

    Ultima

    Lonely

  • 00:55

    Three Drives

    Deep Sea

Credits

Presenter Lucy Worsley
Catherine of Aragon Paola Bontempi
King Henry VIII Scott Arthur
Anne Boleyn Claire Cooper
Charles Brandon Orlando James
Maud Parr Natalie Grady
Maria de Salinas Bea Segura
Mary Boleyn Tiffany Ceri
Henry Norris Nicholas Agnew
Thomas Hawley Sam Phillips
Princess Mary Scarlett Cecil
Physician Jamie De Courcey
Anne Savage Sophie Bleasdale
Production Company Wall to Wall South Ltd
Executive Producer Emma Hindley
Executive Producer Leanne Klein
Director Russell England
Writer Chloe Moss
Producer Ben Evans
Producer Katie Greening
Editor Amanda Baxter

Broadcasts

  • Wed 7 Dec 2016 21:00
    BBC One except Scotland, Scotland HD, Wales & Wales HD
  • Wed 7 Dec 2016 22:40
    BBC One Wales & Wales HD only
  • Wed 7 Dec 2016 23:45
    BBC One Scotland HD & Scotland only
  • Tue 13 Dec 2016 23:50
    BBC One except Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland HD, Scotland, Scotland HD, Wales & 1 more
  • Wed 14 Dec 2016 00:15
    BBC One Wales & Wales HD only
  • Wed 14 Dec 2016 00:45
    BBC One Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD only
  • Wed 14 Dec 2016 00:50
    BBC One Scotland & Scotland HD only
  • Wed 17 Jan 2018 21:00
    BBC Four
  • Thu 18 Jan 2018 02:20
    BBC Four
  • Sun 15 Jul 2018 23:00
    BBC Four
  • Wed 30 Oct 2019 20:00
    BBC Four
  • Thu 31 Oct 2019 02:00
    BBC Four
  • Wed 1 Apr 2020 20:00
    BBC Four
  • Wed 8 Mar 2023 21:00
    BBC Four
  • Thu 9 Mar 2023 02:00
    BBC Four
  • Tue 19 Mar 2024 21:00
  • Tue 2 Apr 2024 17:50
  • Tue 16 Apr 2024 22:10
  • Tuesday 18:36

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