Wolf Hall season 2 cast: Full list of characters in The Mirror and the Light
Sir Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis, Sir Jonathan Pryce, and Kate Phillips reprise their roles.
Period dramas don't come much more esteemed than Wolf Hall, with concluding chapter The Mirror and The Light earning yet more glowing praise for its stellar writing and performances.
Mark Rylance leads the cast of the Tudor era series, playing historical figure Thomas Cromwell – the cunning aide of tyrannical King Henry VIII (Damian Lewis) – as he attempts to keep his fearsome boss happy.
It has taken almost a decade for this season to find its way to screens, with screenwriter Peter Straughan and director Peter Kosminsky condensing Hilary Mantel's weighty novels Bring Up the Bodies and The Mirror and The Light into just six episodes.
As a result, a few roles have had to be recast, with Spider-Man star Tom Holland, The Lord of the Rings' Bernard Hill, The Devil's Hour actor Jessica Raine and Sherlock's Mark Gatiss among those absent from the latest run.
They have been replaced by Charlie Rowe, Timothy Spall, Lydia Leonard and Alex Jennings respectively, while Succession's Harriet Walter and Wizarding World alum Harry Melling are among the other new additions to the Wolf Hall cast.
There's plenty for them to sink their teeth into in these episodes, which cover the final years of Cromwell's life as he works behind the scenes to solidify two more marriages for the king – as signs suggest his good fortune is beginning to run out.
If you want to know more about the key players, you're in the right place! Here's the full confirmed cast for Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light.
Wolf Hall season 2 cast: List of characters in The Mirror and the Light
The following cast members have been confirmed for Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light.
- Sir Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell
- Damian Lewis as King Henry VIII of England
- Sir Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey
- Kate Phillips as Jane Seymour, Queen of England
- Lilit Lesser as The Lady Mary
- Dame Harriet Walter as Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury
- Harry Melling as Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton
- Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Rafe Saddler
- Timothy Spall as Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk
- Alex Jennings as Bishop Stephen Gardiner
- Charlie Rowe as Gregory Cromwell
- Lydia Leonard as Lady Jane Rochford
- Joss Porter as Richard Cromwell
- James Larkin as Master Treasurer Fitzwilliam
- Richard Dillane as Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk
- Will Keen as Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury
- Hannah Steele as Mary Shelton
- Paul Clayton as Sir William Kingston
- Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Bess Oughtred
- Corentin Fila as Christophe
- Tom Mothersdale as Richard Riche
- Karim Kadjar as Eustache Chapuys
- Lucy Russell as Lady Anne Shelton
- Will Tudor as Edward Seymour
- Viola Prettejohn as Mary Fitzroy
- Thomas Arnold as Hans Holbein
- Jordan Kouamé as Martin The Gaoler
- Agnes O’Casey as Lady Margaret Douglas
- Cecilia Appiah as Nan Seymour
- Ellie de Lange as Jenneke
- Hubert Burton as Thomas Howard the Lesser
- Pip Carter as Sir Geoffrey Pole
- Josef Altin as Thomas Avery
- Sarah Priddy as Lady Margery Seymour
- Hannah Khalique-Brown as Dorothea
- Amir El-Masry as Thomas Wyatt
- Didier Vinson as Castillon
- German Segal as Olisleger
- Summer Richards as Catherine Howard
- Dana Herfurth as Anne of Cleves, Queen of England
Here is all you need to know about the major players in the drama.
Sir Mark Rylance plays Thomas Cromwell
Who is Thomas Cromwell? Fresh from the execution of his former patron Anne Boleyn, Thomas Cromwell is a rising star and socially mobile political mastermind who is now the chief advisor to King Henry VIII and presses ahead with social and political reforms. However, the power of Cromwell invites many enemies and there is only so long a single person can please such a mercurial monarch.
Where else have you seen Mark Rylance before? Aside from starring in the first run of Wolf Hall, the esteemed Mark Rylance is a star of stage and screen, having won an Oscar for his role in Bridge of Spies, along with three BAFTA awards, two Olivier Awards, and three Tony Awards. Rylance's biggest film roles came after Bridge of Spies, including Ready Player One, Dunkirk, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Don't Look Up, Bones and All, and The Outfit.
Damian Lewis plays King Henry VIII of England
Who is Henry VIII? The fickle monarch is now wed to his third wife Jane Seymour and agrees to the plans for further Reformation of the English Church. However, will his fickle moods one day turn on Thomas Cromwell just as they did on Cardinal Wolsey and Anne Boleyn before him?
Where else have you seen Damian Lewis before? The award-winning actor is best known for his television roles including Band of Brothers, Homeland, and Billions. He has also had film roles, including as Steve McQueen in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Kate Phillips plays Jane Seymour, Queen of England
Who is Jane Seymour? The third wife and queen consort of Henry VIII, Jane Seymour is a quiet but shrewd ally to Thomas Cromwell and one for whom he has shown desire in the past. Yet, will Jane be tempted to make the same mistakes her predecessor did by questioning the King? Sadly, another form of tragedy beckons for the new queen...
Where else have you seen Kate Phillips before? Outside of Wolf Hall, Phillips is best known for her roles as Linda Shelby in Peaky Blinders and her turns in Miss Scarlet and the Duke, The Crown, War & Peace, and the film Downton Abbey: A New Era.
Lilit Lesser plays The Lady Mary
Who is The Lady Mary? Formerly Princess Mary, the eldest child of King Henry VIII has been bastardised as a result of his break with the Roman Catholic church and the annulment of his marriage to first wife Katherine of Aragon. Now politically adrift, the rise of Jane Seymour allows the King's daughter to return to court...
Where else have you seen Lilit Lesser before? The daughter of actor Anton Lesser (who played Sir Thomas More in Wolf Hall), Lesser's other roles include Medusa Deluxe and Domina.
Sir Jonathan Pryce plays Cardinal Thomas Wolsey
Who is Cardinal Thomas Wolsey? The late chief advisor of King Henry VIII and the mentor of Thomas Cromwell, Cardinal Wolsey died in disgrace but his memory continues to haunt his loyal servant and eventual successor, Cromwell.
Where else have you seen Jonathan Pryce before? The veteran Welsh actor has won two Olivier Awards and two Tony Awards, as well as starring in countless iconic films including Brazil, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Evita, Tomorrow Never Dies, The Age of Innocence, and The Two Popes, to name a few. Pryce has also had numerous television roles, most recently as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in the final two seasons of The Crown.
Dame Harriet Walter plays Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury
Who is Margaret Pole? A cousin of King Henry VIII's mother and with royal Plantagenet blood flowing through her veins, Lady Pole is a conservative figure in the Tudor court and loyal to The Lady Mary.
Where else have you seen Harriet Walter before? The veteran thespian has been a major star of stage and screen, with Walter's major television roles include Law & Order: UK, Downton Abbey, London Spy, The Crown, Patrick Melrose, Succession, The Spanish Princess, Killing Eve, Ted Lasso, and Silo.
Harry Melling plays Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton
Who is Thomas Wriothesley? A cunning political player, Wriothesley serves King Henry VIII in matters of the Reformation and subsequent marriage plans.
Where else have you seen Harry Melling before? Following his iconic role as Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter franchise, Melling is best known for his turns as Harry Beltik in The Queen's Gambit, plus film roles in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, The Tragedy of Macbeth, The Devil All The Time, and The Pale Blue Eye.
Thomas Brodie-Sangster plays Rafe Saddler
Who is Rafe Saddler? The loyal ward, surrogate son and assistant to Thomas Cromwell returns to serve at his side.
Where else have you seen Thomas Brodie-Sangster before? A child star known for his roles in Love Actually and Nanny McPhee, Brodie-Sangster has become a successful actor in adulthood too with roles in Game of Thrones, The Maze Runner franchise, Bright Star, Nowhere Boy, Accused, Godless, and The Queen's Gambit.
Timothy Spall plays Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk
Who is the Duke of Norfolk? One of the leading politicians in the land and the outspoken uncle of Anne Boleyn who led her rise and then turned on her, the Duke of Norfolk is back in favour at the Tudor court.
The role was portrayed by the late Bernard Hill in the first run of Wolf Hall.
Where else have you seen Timothy Spall before? A renowned character actor of stage and screen, Spall is known for his film work with director Mike Leigh (Home Sweet Home, Life is Sweet, Secrets & Lies, Topsy-Turvy, All or Nothing, and Mr Turner), the Harry Potter film franchise, Hamlet (1996), Still Crazy, Nicholas Nickleby, The Last Samurai, Enchanted, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The Damned United, The King's Speech, Ginger and Rosa, Denial, The Party, and Spencer.
Alex Jennings plays Bishop Stephen Gardiner
Who is Bishop Stephen Gardiner? A conservative but wily religious figure who is an enemy of Thomas Cromwell.
The role was portrayed by Mark Gatiss in the first run of Wolf Hall.
Where else have you seen Alex Jennings before? A three-time Olivier Award winner, Jennings is also known for roles in The Wings of the Dove, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Babel, Belle, The Lady in the Van, plus series including The Crown, Victoria, A Very English Scandal, and Small Axe: Mangrove.
Charlie Rowe plays Gregory Cromwell
Who is Gregory Cromwell? The only son and heir of Thomas Cromwell who rises with his father, Gregory becomes engaged to marry the widowed sister of Jane Seymour, Bess Oughtred.
The role was portrayed by Tom Holland in the first run of Wolf Hall.
Where else have you seen Charlie Rowe before? The British actor is best known for his roles in Never Let Me Go, The Boat That Rocked, The Golden Compass, the Peter Pan prequel Neverland, and the medical comedy-drama series Red Band Society.
Rowe was also once considered as a potential Peter Parker in the MCU Spider-Man films, a role which went to his Wolf Hall predecessor Tom Holland.
Lydia Leonard plays Lady Jane Rochford
Who is Lady Jane Rochford? An English noblewoman who was married to Anne Boleyn's brother George.
Where else have you seen Lydia Leonard before? She has appeared in Gentleman Jack, Ten Percent, Red Election, Absentia and Flesh and Blood.
Joss Porter plays Richard Cromwell
Who is Richard Cromwell? Born Richard Williams, he was the nephew of Thomas Cromwell and became a loyal servant to King Henry VIII.
Where else have you seen Joss Porter? You might know him from The Undeclared War.
James Larkin plays Master Treasurer Fitzwilliam
Who is Master Treasurer Fitzwilliam? The treasurer of the Household.
Where else have you seen James Larkin? You might know him from Doctors and Maigret.
Will Keen plays Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury
Who is Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury? He was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1532 until 1555. He also oversaw Henry's divorce from Katherine of Aragon and England's divorce from the Catholic Church.
Where else have you seen Will Keen? His credits include His Dark Materials, The Crown and Tell Me Who I Am.
Maisie Richardson-Sellers plays Bess Oughtred
Who is Bess Oughtred? The wife of Cromwell's son Gregory. Bess initially thinks that it's Cromwell himself that she's marrying.
Where else have you seen Maisie Richardson-Sellers? You might recognise her from Legends of Tomorrow, The Kissing Booth, The Originals and The Undeclared War.
Tom Mothersdale plays Richard Riche
Who is Richard Riche? Solicitor general who helps Cromwell in charging Thomas More with treason.
Where else have you seen Tom Mothersdale? His credits include Culprits and Bodies.
Karim Kadjar plays Eustace Chapuys
Who is Eustace Chapuys? From 1529 to 1545, he was the Spanish ambassador to Henry VIII's court. He was also a confidante of Catherine of Aragon.
Where else have you seen Karim Kadjar? This is his biggest role to date.
Will Tudor plays Edward Seymour
Who is Edward Seymour? A statesmen, known as "The Protector", who was also Jane Seymour's eldest brother.
Where else have you seen Will Tudor? He has appeared in Humans, Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments, Game of Thrones, Industry and The Ipcress File.
Agnes O'Casey plays Lady Margaret Douglas
Who is Lady Margaret Douglas? Her mother was Henry VIII's sister, Margaret Tudor.
Where else have you seen Agnes O'Casey? She has appeared in Dangerous Liaisons and Ridley Road.
Cecilia Appiah plays Nan Seymour
Who is Nan Seymour? Jane Seymour's sister-in-law. Her name has been changed from Anne to Nan for the series,
Where else have you seen Cecilia Appiah? She might have watched her in Hijack.
Ellie de Lange plays Jenneke
Who is Jenneke? A woman from Antwerp who turns out to be Cromwell's illegitimate daughter.
Where else have you seen Ellie de Lange? Her CV includes Mees Kees, Jos and Arcadia.
Dana Herfurth plays Anne of Cleves, Queen of England
Who is Anne of Cleves, Queen of England? Henry's fourth wife for around half a year. She was often referred to as the "ugly one".
Where else have you seen Dana Herfurth? Her credits include Love Trillion Dollars and Love Addicts.
Additional cast includes:
- Richard Dillane (The Diplomat) as Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk - military leader and courtier.
- Hannah Steele (Black Mirror) as Mary Shelton - Anne Boleyn's cousin.
- Paul Clayton (The Full Monty) as Sir William Kingston - a courtier, soldier and administrator who was also the Constable of the Tower of London.
- Lucy Russell (A Spy Among Friends) as Lady Anne Shelton - Anne Boleyn's aunt.
- Corentin Fila (Mortel) as Christophe - a fictional character whom Cromwell meets in Calais.
- Viola Prettejohn (The Nevers) as Mary Fitzroy - the Duchess of Richmond and Somerset.
- Thomas Arnold (A Spy Among Friends) as Hans Holbein - a painter.
- Pip Carter (New Worlds) as Sir Geoffrey Pole - The son of Margaret Plantagenet, Countess of Salisbury and the brother of Cardinal Reginald Pole. The Poles had a claim to the English throne. Geoffrey pleaded guilty to treason and later left England when his mother was executed.
- Josef Altin (Top Boy) as Thomas Avery - one of Cromwell's protégés.
- Sarah Priddy (Sherwood) as Lady Margery Seymour - Jane Seymour's mother.
- Hannah Khalique-Brown (The Undeclared War) as Dorothea - Cardinal Wolsey's illegitimate daughter.
- Amir El-Masry (Vigil) as Thomas Wyatt - a poet and courtier who was in love with Anne Boleyn.
- Didier Vinson (Tomorrow Is Ours) as Castillon - the French ambassador.
- German Segal (The Undeclared War) as Olisleger - Vice-Chancellor of Cleves and ambassador to England.
- Summer Richards (Wild Bill) as Catherine Howard - Henry's fifth wife.
- Jordan Kouamé (Malpractice) as Martin The Gaoler.
- Hubert Burton (Rivals) as Thomas Howard the Lesser.
Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light premieres on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday 10th November 2024 at 9pm.
If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide or visit our Drama hub for more news and features. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times podcast.
Authors
Lewis Knight is the Trends Editor for Radio Times, covering trending titles from TV, Film and more. He previously worked at The Mirror in TV, Film, and Showbiz coverage alongside work on SEO. Alongside his past work in advertising, he possesses a BSc in Psychology and an MA in Film Studies.
