Just when you thought every angle on Henry VIII had been covered, Sky History is here to put the Tudor king in the dock. The new series Killer Kings, premiering Monday, June 16 at 9:00 PM BST, reframes the monarch not as a historical figure but as the subject of a true-crime investigation. The debut episode kicks off with arguably the most infamous name on its docket, setting out to build a case against the man who reshaped England through force of will.
The series opener doesn’t reinvent the timeline of Henry’s reign (1509-1547) but instead filters it through a modern investigative lens. His six marriages, the brutal fates of his spouses, and his seismic decision to break from papal authority are presented not as historical footnotes but as evidence in a larger prosecution. The show’s hook is its aim to move beyond established facts by presenting what it calls mitigating factors and fresh evidence, with the goal of arriving at a new verdict on his character and actions.
Blending historical documentary with the structure of a true-crime procedural is an interesting approach, particularly for a figure as well-documented as Henry VIII. Whether it can genuinely present new information or simply re-packages old controversies for a new audience is the central question. For history buffs and true-crime fans, it’s a curious genre mashup that puts one of history’s most formidable rulers under a contemporary microscope.
Killer Kings begins Monday, June 16 at 9:00 PM BST on Sky History.
