Wolf Hall: Crows (BBC Two 18 Feb 2015, Saskia Reeves)

In Crows The Act of Supremacy has declared Henry Supreme Head of the Church in England. But the Holy Roman Emperor and his ambassador Eustache Chapuys have refused to recognise either his new title or his marriage to Anne Boleyn.

Cromwell visits Katherine. She is growing frail and tired and she longs to see her daughter Mary. Cromwell pities Katherine and tries to persuade the King to allow Chapuys to visit her, but Henry refuses – until the Emperor acknowledges Anne as his lawful wife, Henry will not make any allowances on diplomacy.

With Anne pregnant again and away from court, Henry begins to take notice of Jane Seymour. The Seymours enlist Cromwell’s help in their dealings with the King.

Anne is aware that Cromwell is conspiring with the Seymours and reminds him that she made Cromwell who he is today. When Katherine dies, Anne celebrates – Katherine had always been blamed for Anne’s failure to produce a male heir and Anne is now certain her pregnancy will deliver a boy.

The King takes part in a jousting tournament and is nearly killed. Cromwell becomes acutely aware that he owes his position solely to Henry and that without the King’s support his enemies would destroy him. Mercifully Henry makes a full recovery but, in the shock at the news of his fall, Anne miscarries.

Henry fears that he will never have a son with Anne, convinced that she is cursed and that he was tricked into marriage by her. He wants a new wife and, as ever, Cromwell is tasked with delivering this.

production details
UK / BBC Two / 1×60 minute episode / Broadcast Wednesday 18 February 2015 @ 9.00pm

Writer: Peter Straughan / Director: Peter Kosminsky

Series: Wolf Hall Season 1 Episode 5 (of 6)

cast
Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell
Damian Lewis as Henry VIII
Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn
Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Wolsey
Bernard Hill as Duke of Norfolk
Anton Lesser as Thomas More
Mark Gatiss as Stephen Gardiner
Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Rafe Sadler
Harry Lloyd as Harry Percy
Jessica Raine as Jane Rochford
Saskia Reeves as Johane Williamson
Natasha Little as Liz Cromwell
Charity Wakefield as Mary Boleyn
Joss Porter as Richard Cromwell
Tom Holland as Gregory Cromwell
Kate Phillips as Jane Seymour
Robert Wilfort as George Cavendish
Richard Dillane as Duke of Suffolk
Luke Roberts as Henry Norris
Will Keen as Thomas Cranmer
Jacob Fortune-Lloyd as Francis Weston
David Robb as Sir Thomas Boleyn
Joel MacCormack as Thomas Wriothesley
Max Fowler as Mark Smeaton
Edward Holcroft as George Boleyn
Bryan Dick as Solicitor General Richard Rich
Tim Steed as Lord Chancellor Audley
Ed Speleers as Edward Seymour
Iain Batchelor as Thomas Seymour
Paul Ritter as Sir John Seymour
Monica Dolan as Alice More