List of The Tudors episodes
The following is a list of episodes for the CBC/Showtime television series The Tudors. The series formally began 1 April 2007. Individual episodes are numbered.
On 20 June 2010, the series aired its 38th and final episode. All four seasons have been released on DVD in Regions 1, 2 and 4.
Series overview
| Series | Episodes | Originally aired | Rank | Average viewers (in millions inc. DVR) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | ||||||
| 1 | 10 | 1 April 2007 | 10 June 2007 | TBA | TBA | ||
| 2 | 10 | 30 March 2008 | 1 June 2008 | TBA | TBA | ||
| 3 | 8 | 5 April 2009 | 24 May 2009 | TBA | TBA | ||
| 4 | 10 | 11 April 2010 | 20 June 2010 | TBA | TBA | ||
Episode list
Season 1 (2007)
Henry VIII is the young and virile king of England, one of the most powerful nations in the world, and seems to have it all. However, he is troubled by religious unrest in his own kingdom, as well as political struggles and changing allegiances with other countries. And weighing most on his mind is his failure thus far to produce a male heir with his Queen, Katherine of Aragon;[1] so far their only child (who survived beyond birth) is the young Princess Mary, on whom he dotes. The aunt of the powerful Spanish king & Holy Roman Emperor Charles, Katherine is all that a Queen should be, and popular, but the difficult pursuit of a divorce approved by the Pope becomes a seductive option- especially when he encounters the beautiful, bold and intelligent Anne Boleyn.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Setting | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | US viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "In Cold Blood" | 1518 | Charles McDougall & Steve Shill | Michael Hirst | 1 April 2007 | 0.869[2] | |
| Henry's uncle, Ambassador to Urbino, is assassinated by the French and Henry seizes upon this event to plan a war with France to establish his immortal reputation and seize back the title of King of France. More interested in his own ambitions, the Lord Chancellor, Cardinal Wolsey, manipulates the young king to propose a "Treaty of Universal Peace" with France instead. Thomas More, Henry's teacher and a humanist, is in favour of the treaty which further convinces a reluctant Henry to abandon his war plans. A summit is to take place in France, and—against Katherine's express wishes—their daughter Mary is to be betrothed to the Dauphin of France, also still a child. Meanwhile, Henry has a rival to the throne in the Duke of Buckingham, a blood relative to earlier Kings. Buckingham plots to murder Henry and thus grab the throne for himself, letting Thomas Boleyn and the Duke of Norfolk in on his plan. Boleyn's beautiful daughters Mary and Anne prepare to meet King Henry; meanwhile, Henry discovers that Lady Elizabeth Blount, his mistress and one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, is pregnant with his child. | ||||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Simply Henry" | 1519–1520 | Charles McDougall | Michael Hirst | 8 April 2007 | 0.464[3] | |
| With Thomas More's encouragement, King Henry prepares to meet King Francis of France and sign Cardinal Wolsey's peace treaty. Henry had promised the hand of his daughter, Princess Mary, to the Dauphin of France, which caused strife between Henry and his queen, Katherine of Aragon. In France, Thomas Boleyn maneuvers his elder daughter Mary into Henry's bed in an effort to secure favor for the family. The Duke of Buckingham plots against the King, claiming a better right to the throne than Henry Tudor; but his purpose is betrayed by Thomas Boleyn and the Duke is executed. Katherine of Aragon continues to pray for Henry to give her a live, healthy son, but Henry wrestles with the theological problem of having married his brother's wife, and questions whether his lack of sons could be God's punishment. There is much celebration as Lady Elizabeth Blount gives birth to Henry's illegitimate son, to Katherine's pain. When Henry loses interest in Mary Boleyn after a short time, Thomas Boleyn turns to his younger daughter, Anne, to replace her... | ||||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Wolsey, Wolsey, Wolsey!" | 1521 | Steve Shill | Michael Hirst | 15 April 2007 | 0.350[4] | |
| As Cardinal Wolsey has lost his chance to be Pope with King Henry's decision to go to war against France, a new accord with Spain and Queen Katherine's nephew Charles, Holy Roman Emperor, offers him fresh hope. Thomas More is knighted by Henry, and charged with destroying any copies of the Lutheran "heresy" he can seize, obviously paining More (although he, too, considers it heretical). Princess Mary's engagement to the Dauphin of France is broken off in favour of a marriage to Charles of Spain; and Henry's elder sister, Princess Margaret, is to marry the King of Portugal. Charles Brandon, Henry's friend, is made Duke of Suffolk in order to be able to escort her to Portugal. Meanwhile, Anne Boleyn encounters Henry face-to-face for the first time at a masquerade, leaving a distinct impression on him. | ||||||||
| 4 | 4 | "His Majesty, The King" | 1521 | Steve Shill | Michael Hirst | 22 April 2007 | 0.601[5] | |
| As a reward for his denunciation of Martin Luther in his book, the Defence of the Seven Sacraments, the Pope christens Henry "Defender of the Faith", but a brush with death causes the King to seek a solution to his lack of an heir. Charles V defeats Francis I and captures the latter at the Battle of Pavia. Princess Margaret reluctantly marries the decrepit King of Portugal, but the union is short-lived; Henry's desire for Anne Boleyn intensifies. Having arrested the King's secretary as a supposed French spy, Wolsey replaces him with his protege, a shrewd commoner named Thomas Cromwell. | ||||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Arise, My Lord" | c. 1526–1527 | Brian Kirk | Michael Hirst | 29 April 2007 | 0.592[6] | |
| King Henry is stunned by a reversal in his alliance with Emperor Charles and forced to look elsewhere for European support, while Anne Boleyn refuses his offer of mistress status, inflaming his desire to marry her. Katherine of Aragon's alliance with Charles and her hatred for Cardinal Wolsey intensify. Wolsey urges appealing to Clement VII because the English bishops don't all approve of annulling Henry's marriage to Catherine. Charles Brandon and the newly-widowed Margaret Tudor marry secretly, which infuriates the King, and he banishes both of them from court. Henry bestows a Dukedom on his bastard son Henry FitzRoy, but is heartbroken when FitzRoy dies only weeks later. Rome is sacked by Charles V. | ||||||||
| 6 | 6 | "True Love" | c. 1527 | Brian Kirk | Michael Hirst | 6 May 2007 | 0.599[7] | |
| As King Henry gains in confidence, his displeasure with the way the Catholic church handles his request for an annulment of his marriage to Katherine of Aragon grows. As a result, Cardinal Wolsey's position is weakening, leaving him vulnerable to his enemies. Having restored Henry's former alliance with the French King Francis, Wolsey attempts to convene a conclave of the Cardinals in France, beyond the reach of Emperor Charles' influence, to decide on the matter. But the Cardinals refuse to come- on orders from the Pope, who remains the Emperor's captive. In return for securing his return to court and reconciliation with the King, Charles Brandon makes a reluctant alliance with the Duke of Norfolk and the Boleyn family. | ||||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Message to the Emperor" | 1528 | Alison Maclean | Michael Hirst | 13 May 2007 | 0.460[8] | |
| William Compton dies of the "sweating sickness" at Compton Wynates, his house in Warwickshire. As King Henry VIII receives positive news of his war against Emperor Charles, the sickness spreads like a wildfire. Henry flees the palace and London, and starts having doubts about the future and his ability to rule the country. Both Anne Boleyn and Cardinal Wolsey are stricken with the disease, but recover. Wolsey sends agents to the exiled Pope asking for him to make a favorable decision on Henry's 'Great Matter' but Clement instead sends his legate, Cardinal Campeggio, to make a final decision in England. | ||||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Truth and Justice" | 1528 | Alison Maclean | Michael Hirst | 20 May 2007 | 0.424[9] | |
| The Pope's legate Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio arrives to hear the case for King Henry VIII's divorce from Katherine of Aragon. Cardinal Wolsey intimidates Campeggio: "Let me make certain things plain to you. If you do not grant the King his divorce, papal authority in England will be annihilated!" Wolsey has assured Henry that the divorce will be granted, but the Pope and Campeggio are not so easily swayed. A desperate Wolsey begs Queen Katherine to abdicate the marriage, but she ultimately refuses. Wolsey's enemies circle; Anne Boleyn plants more doubt in Henry's mind about Wolsey, who soon threatens Campeggio both physically and politically. A Legatine Court convenes at Blackfriar's Church, and both Henry and Katherine plead their cases. | ||||||||
| 9 | 9 | "Look to God First" | 1529 | Ciaran Donnelly | Michael Hirst | 3 June 2007 | 0.396[10] | |
| The legatine trial on the legitimacy of King Henry's marriage to Katherine continues despite the queen's refusal to attend, but the papal envoy receives notice to return to Rome and place the evidence to the judgement of the Curia. The Pope procrastinates and Henry, goaded by the conspirators Thomas Boleyn, the Duke of Norfolk and Charles Brandon, strips Wolsey of his temporal power and properties, bans him from court and instructs him to resume his now sole role as Archbishop of York. Thomas More reluctantly succeeds Wolsey as Chancellor of the realm. Anne Boleyn, encouraged by her ally Thomas Cromwell (the King's secretary), subtly and opportunely asks the king to reacquaint himself with the subject of Lutheranism. Wolsey appeals to Cromwell for help, but Cromwell reluctantly turns his back on his former mentor. Margaret Tudor dies of tuberculosis, and her widower Charles Brandon shows repentance for his infidelity at her deathbed. | ||||||||
| 10 | 10 | "The Death of Wolsey" | 1530 | Ciaran Donnelly | Michael Hirst | 10 June 2007 | 0.465[11] | |
| Wolsey, now acting solely as the Archbishop of York and living in relative poverty, is repudiated by Anne Boleyn and writes to Queen Katherine instead, trying to gain her support. Thomas More uses his new powers as Chancellor and starts actively persecuting prominent Lutherans- including burning six of them at the stake, to the anger of Thomas Cromwell. King Henry finds his new Privy Counsellors less proficient than Wolsey was in running the country; he threatens to reinstate the Cardinal, spurring Norfolk and Suffolk to find a way to 'end' Wolsey. Henry has also found elements much to his liking in the teachings of Luther, and dispatches Cromwell to canvass various European faculties of theology, hopefully to obtain favourable opinions regarding his intended divorce. Wolsey's secret communication with the Queen is uncovered by Cromwell, and he is arrested by Charles Brandon and charged with high treason. His fall from grace now complete, Wolsey laments his decadent lifestyle and commits suicide in a jail cell en route to London. Anne Boleyn engages Henry in a sexual encounter, but forces him to perform coitus interruptus after which a furious Henry storms off. | ||||||||
Season 2 (2008)
The season two premiere of The Tudors attracted 768,000 viewers to the original broadcast, with an additional 254,000 viewing the reaired broadcast the same night.[12]
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Setting | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | US viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 1 | "Everything Is Beautiful" | 1532 | Jeremy Podeswa | Michael Hirst | 30 March 2008 | 0.768[12] | |
| As he seeks the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, King Henry VIII seeks to appoint himself head of the Church of England. Anne Boleyn insists that Henry remove Queen Catherine from the Court. The new Pope Paul III, not wanting to displease either the king or the Emperor, suggests that Boleyn instead be assassinated. Lutheran clergyman Thomas Cranmer, newly arrived at Court, receives a promotion as the king's chaplain at the behest of Cromwell and the Boleyns. Thomas and George Boleyn bribe a cook to poison the food of Catherine's strongest supporter, Bishop of Rochester John Fisher; however, the bishop survives and the cook, Richard Roose, is boiled alive. King Henry banishes the Queen from court. The Spanish ambassador, Eustace Chapuys, is seen discussing the assassination of Anne with an unknown, hooded man. | ||||||||
| 12 | 2 | "Tears of Blood" | 1532 | Jeremy Podeswa | Michael Hirst | 6 April 2008 | N/A | |
| As the Catholic Church struggles to control Henry VIII's demands for an annulment, the King appoints himself head of the Church of England; initial protests are stifled when Archbishop of Canterbury William Warham officially submits the clergy to Henry. When Anne Boleyn insists Henry break all contacts with Catherine, the Queen is banished from court. The Reformation has begun; depressed by his failure to prevent it, Sir Thomas More resigns as Henry's Chancellor. Charles Brandon's growing hatred for the Boleyns - and his mistrust of Cromwell - causes him to abandon his alliance with them, losing him the King's favour again. Anne is created Marquess of Pembroke before she and Henry visit France to present Anne as the future Queen of England and Henry's future wife. After talks between both Henry and Anne and the French King to secure his support, Anne finally submits sexually to Henry, asking him to help her conceive the son and heir, narrowly avoiding another encounter with the Imperial-hired assassin. | ||||||||
| 13 | 3 | "Checkmate" | 1533 | Colm McCarthy | Michael Hirst | 13 April 2008 | N/A | |
| Henry destroys all ties with authority and the past. After failed attempts to have his marriage to Catherine annulled by the Catholic Church, Henry runs out of patience and marries a pregnant Anne Boleyn in secret. He appoints the young Lutheran Thomas Cranmer to succeed the deceased William Warham as Archbishop of Canterbury and strips Queen Catherine of her title and status, along with Princess Mary; they are henceforth to be known as the Princess Dowager of Wales and the Lady Mary. The Act of Restrain of Appeals is presented to Parliament by Cromwell and passes. Henry gives the position of Chancellor to the pro-Lutheran Thomas Cromwell. Anne Boleyn is crowned Queen before a small crowd, and escapes an assassination attempt. Pope Paul III threatens to excommunicate the king and the church of England if Henry does not return to Catherine; Henry tears the papal edict in half. Henry is also disappointed when Anne gives birth to a daughter, Elizabeth, instead of his desired son, and soon resumes his philandering with ladies of the court despite assuring Anne they will still have a son. | ||||||||
| 14 | 4 | "The Act of Succession" | 1534 | Colm McCarthy | Michael Hirst | 20 April 2008 | N/A | |
| Questions of faith dominate the court. As the infant Princess Elizabeth is baptised, Thomas Cromwell unveils the 'Act of Succession', ruling that only children of Henry and Anne are legitimate successors to the English throne. A law is passed where every royal subject must take an oath, on pain of death, recognising the validity of the King's new marriage and the supremacy of Henry VIII. Although Charles Brandon reluctantly does so – thus restoring him to the King's favour – Bishop Fisher and Sir Thomas More refuse and are imprisoned in the Tower. Catherine lives now in total seclusion, and Lady Mary is sent to be maid to the baby Princess Elizabeth, her half-sister. Anne soon discovers the identity of the King's new mistress and secretly has her brother George banish her. Pregnant again, Anne, at her father's prompting, tacitly approves of the king's infidelity while she is with child, albeit with those of her own choosing. | ||||||||
| 15 | 5 | "His Majesty's Pleasure" | 1535 | Ciaran Donnelly | Michael Hirst | 27 April 2008 | N/A | |
| Attempts to legitimise the King's marriage encounter obstacles as Sir Thomas More and Cardinal Fisher insist that only Christ can head of the church, but both of them are arrested. Meanwhile Henry's eye continues to roam. Queen Anne miscarries her child and fears that the king has lost his love for her. She also fears Lady Mary and Catherine of Aragon, for she feels that Henry may still designate Mary as heir over her own beloved daughter, Elizabeth. Anne's relationship with her older sister Mary deteriorates when Mary marries a commoner in secret, and becomes pregnant without asking her permission; Anne has the pair banished from court when pressured by her father. Imprisoned in the Tower, Cardinal Fisher and Sir Thomas More face execution unless they take the Oath. Both still refuse, even after More received pleas from his family, and are found guilty of high treason and beheaded. Catherine of Aragon's health begins to fail. | ||||||||
| 16 | 6 | "The Definition of Love" | c. 1535 | Ciaran Donnelly | Michael Hirst | 4 May 2008 | 0.649[13] | |
| As the Reformation gathers pace, Sir Thomas Cromwell becomes more powerful as propagandist-in-chief. Henry is haunted by the memory of the executed More, while Queen Anne's insecurities grow. Her husband's affairs continue and an effort to have her daughter Elizabeth betrothed to a French prince fails when the French King refuses to recognise the infant Princess's legitimacy; Anne's interference with policies both foreign and domestic also anger the King, as he expected her to play a more submissive role. Fractures begin to appear in Henry and Anne's marriage. Charles Brandon feels remorse for being unfaithful to his wife, but resumes his friendship with the King. | ||||||||
| 17 | 7 | "Matters of State" | 1536 | Dearbhla Walsh | Michael Hirst | 11 May 2008 | N/A | |
| As Cromwell's ruthless 'reforms' spread terror through the Catholic Church, Anne has nightmares that her position is under threat from former Queen Catherine and her daughter Mary. Catherine's death removes much of the perceived illegitimacy of Anne's position, and a passionate sexual encounter with Henry seems to heal the rift with her husband. However, her quarrels with her former ally Cromwell alarm her father and brother. Meanwhile Henry is occupied by the sad news of Catherine's death and later has an encounter with Lady Jane Seymour. Anne announces to her father that she is pregnant with a son. | ||||||||
| 18 | 8 | "Lady in Waiting" | Spring 1536 | Dearbhla Walsh | Michael Hirst | 18 May 2008 | N/A | |
| At Henry's command Jane Seymour is made a lady-in-waiting to Anne, to the discomfort of the Queen. Emperor Charles indicates through Chapuys his interest in renewing relations with England. However Charles insists on legitimising Lady Mary as Henry's heir, something Cromwell knows Anne will oppose. When Henry is seriously injured while jousting, thoughts turn to who might succeed him. After he recovers, Anne finds Henry kissing Jane, and then has another miscarriage – of a son. Infuriated by yet another failed pregnancy. Henry declares to Cromwell that his marriage with Anne is null and void, saying he was 'bewitched' into marrying her. | ||||||||
| 19 | 9 | "The Act of Treason" | 17 May 1536 | Jon Amiel | Michael Hirst | 25 May 2008 | 0.670[14] | |
| Anne has lost her son and her last chance at a lasting marriage with Henry. The King's affections are shifting: the Seymour family are awarded more luxurious rooms at court and replace the Boleyns as royal favourites. Anne's behaviour becomes more erratic as she is urged by her family to regain favour. Several members of the court, including Charles Brandon, begin to move against her, accusing her of adultery and witchcraft. Arrests are made of suspected lovers, and eventually of Anne herself. Cromwell tortures some of the scapegoats to force a false confession. All of the accused (apart from Thomas Wyatt), including the Queen, are sentenced to death. Four of Anne's supposed lovers, including her trusted friend Mark Smeaton and her brother George, are executed, while a grief-stricken Anne awaits her fate. | ||||||||
| 20 | 10 | "Destiny and Fortune" | 18–19 May 1536 | Jon Amiel | Michael Hirst | 1 June 2008 | 0.852[15] | |
| As Anne awaits her death, Henry visits Jane Seymour and asks for her hand in marriage. Declaring his marriage to Anne null and void means that their daughter Elizabeth becomes illegitimate and no longer in line to the throne, clearing the way for a legitimate heir to come from his new marriage. Lady Mary, delighted at Anne's fall, hopes she will soon be reconciled with her father. Earl Thomas Boleyn is expelled from court. Archbishop Cranmer is still Anne's ally, but he can do nothing for her except protect her daughter and take her final confession, in which she maintains that she was never unfaithful. Despite the roles they played in bringing Anne and her family down, both Charles Brandon and Cromwell show some remorse, feeling that death is too harsh a punishment. Anne is beheaded, going to her death with dignity and some sympathy from the onlookers. Henry breakfasts and looks forward to his third marriage, indifferent to the death of his second queen. | ||||||||
Season 3 (2009)
The third season of The Tudors premiered on 5 April 2009, and attracted 726,000 viewers in the United States, which was a five percent decrease from the previous season's premiere. The premiere bested HBO's In Treatment season two premiere which drew 657,000 viewers, and marks one of the few times that a Showtime original received more viewers than an HBO original.[16] The season finale aired on 24 May 2009, and the original broadcast attained 366,000 viewers.[17]
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Setting | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | US viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 1 | "Civil Unrest" | 30 May 1536 | Ciaran Donnelly | Michael Hirst | 5 April 2009 | 0.726[16] | |
| Days after Anne Boleyn's execution, Henry VIII weds a third time, to shy, demure noblewoman Jane Seymour – a union that he prays will produce a male heir. Henry appears to an apparently pleased court, but secretly Thomas Cromwell and Lord Rich worry about their plans for a reformation. Lady Ursula Misseldon arrives to wait upon the new queen, and is soon mistress to Sir Francis Bryan. Lady Mary is threatened with death unless she submits to her father's authority and, under guidance from the Spanish ambassador, reluctantly complies. A number of Catholics rebel against the dissolution of the monasteries, enraging Henry. | ||||||||
| 22 | 2 | "The Northern Uprising" | Winter 1536 | Ciaran Donnelly | Michael Hirst | 12 April 2009 | N/A | |
| The rebellion now known as the Pilgrimage of Grace in York begins in earnest, with Henry dispatching Brandon to deal with the uprising. Darcy surrenders Pontefract Castle. Bedridden due to the painful ulcerating of his jousting injury, Henry takes a new mistress Lady Ursula Misseldon in his frustration at the Queen's lack of pregnancy. Queen Jane unveils the king's daughter, Lady Mary, at court in a bid to see her restored to the succession. | ||||||||
| 23 | 3 | "Dissension and Punishment" | 1536–1537 | Ciaran Donnelly | Michael Hirst | 19 April 2009 | N/A | |
| Queen Jane and Lady Mary bring the toddler Lady Elizabeth to court, and Henry reconciles with her at the Christmas holiday. He also makes promises of pardons and redress of grievances to the leaders of the Pilgrimage of Grace, while making plans to bring them to heel for their insurrection, then using a further uprising as an excuse to have Charles Brandon put the leaders to death. | ||||||||
| 24 | 4 | "The Death of a Queen" | July–October 1537 | Ciaran Donnelly | Michael Hirst | 26 April 2009 | N/A | |
| The leaders of the Pilgrimage of Grace uprising are put to death, but Brandon is haunted by the cruelty and mercilessness of the suppression and his part in it; Henry celebrates the birth of a son but his joy is short-lived as Queen Jane dies within days. | ||||||||
| 25 | 5 | "Problems in the Reformation" | 1537–1538 | Jeremy Podeswa | Michael Hirst | 3 May 2009 | N/A | |
| Henry remains in seclusion with his jester Will Sommers while mourning the queen's death, an opportunity that enemies of the crown seize to murder several friends of the court; Cromwell is disturbed when Henry does not resist his new church's similarities to Catholicism. Meanwhile Henry ends his depression by having sex with Ursula one more time before she returns to her hometown. | ||||||||
| 26 | 6 | "Search for a New Queen" | 1538–1539 | Jeremy Podeswa | Michael Hirst | 10 May 2009 | N/A | |
| Matchmaking begins in earnest as Cromwell schemes to secure the Reformation by marrying Henry to a Protestant wife – but the king's marital reputation precedes him; the condition of Henry's wounded leg turns life-threatening. | ||||||||
| 27 | 7 | "Protestant Anne of Cleves" | 1539–1540 | Jeremy Podeswa | Michael Hirst | 17 May 2009 | N/A | |
| War looms with France and Spain aligning against England with backing from Rome, so Henry agrees to a politically fortuitous marriage with Anne of Cleves (Joss Stone), a plain and unsophisticated German aristocrat he has never met. | ||||||||
| 28 | 8 | "The Undoing of Cromwell" | Spring – 28 July 1540 | Jeremy Podeswa | Michael Hirst | 24 May 2009 | 0.366[17] | |
| Henry moves swiftly to annul his loveless marriage to Anne of Cleves, and beds a new mistress, 17-year-old Katherine Howard; Princess Mary falls in love with Duke Philip of Bavaria in spite of their religions, only to be heartbroken when he is sent away from court; Cromwell's fall from favour is sudden and dramatic. The season ends with Cromwell's beheading. | ||||||||
Season 4 (2010)
On 10 April 2009, it was announced that Showtime had picked up The Tudors for a fourth and final season,[18] which contained ten episodes and began airing on 11 April 2010.
Maria Doyle Kennedy, Natalie Dormer, and Annabelle Wallis reprise their roles as Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, and Jane Seymour, respectively, in individual dream sequences in the final episode.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Setting | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | US viewers (millions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 1 | "Moment of Nostalgia" | Summer 1540 | Dearbhla Walsh | Michael Hirst | 11 April 2010 | 0.883[19] | |
| Whitehall Palace, London 1540. Thirty years into the reign of King Henry VIII and London is experiencing a hot summer with no rain for two months. But the King’s vigour remains undiminished. The rivalry between Catholics and Lutherans continues, led by Bishop of Winchester and Lord Edward Seymour. Henry has married Katherine Howard, his fifth Queen, who is seventeen years old. Katherine attempts to befriend Henry's children; she befriends his young son, Prince Edward, but receives contempt from Mary while Elizabeth prefers to spend time with Anne of Cleves. Joan Bulmer, the new Queen’s childhood friend, is hired as a lady in waiting; she knows scandalous detail about Katherine’s past. The Queen’s most notable admirer is the King’s new groom Thomas Culpeper, who makes no secret of his desire for the Queen. During a hunting visit by the royal entourage, Culpeper rapes a peasant woman and then murders her husband. Meanwhile, Charles Brandon and his wife Catherine are separated after Charles's actions in defeating the Pilgrimage of Grace. | ||||||||
| 30 | 2 | "Sister" | Winter 1540 | Dearbhla Walsh | Michael Hirst | 18 April 2010 | 0.740[20] | |
| Culpeper continues to make eyes at Katherine. The King spoils his new wife with extravagant gifts. Lady Rochford hears the gossip about her new mistress’s past from Bulmer. When Rochford sleeps with Culpeper, he reveals his desire for the Queen, and she offers to help him seduce Katherine. Lord Surrey goes on a violent drinking binge in one of London’s poor neighbourhoods, and plots against the Seymour brothers, whom he considers mere commoners. At Christmas, Henry invites Anne of Cleves to the palace. He is surprised by her beauty and graciousness. The ageing King goes to bed early and the party then becomes boisterous. Princess Mary and Katherine express their mutual dislike. | ||||||||
| 31 | 3 | "Something for You" | Spring 1541 | Dearbhla Walsh | Michael Hirst | 25 April 2010 | 0.890[21] | |
| Henry VIII is buoyed by the happiness of his young wife. He pardons a criminal, gives blessings and alms to the poor, visits Princess Elizabeth and plans a visit to the North of England; Charles Brandon is ordered to make the preparations. Katherine begins a flirtation with Culpeper. Henry takes his pleasure in the bed of Anne of Cleves, the ex-wife he once thought ugly. A large entourage accompanies the King, Queen and Princess Mary to the city of Lincoln for the royal visit. In appreciation of the warm welcome, Henry forgives the city for its earlier revolt. The King longs to be with his young bride but his troublesome leg makes him tired and irritable and confines him to his room. Culpepper continues his sexual relationship with the Queen. | ||||||||
| 32 | 4 | "Natural Ally" | Summer – Autumn 1541 | Ciarán Donnelly | Michael Hirst | 2 May 2010 | 0.902[22] | |
| Pontefract Castle welcomes Henry and his entourage. Henry receives affection from his subjects during his tour of the north. Charles Brandon continues to be haunted by the memory of his deeds quelling the rebellion. Francis Dereham, one of the men Katherine had sexual liaisons with before she married the King, arrives at court, and demands a job. Threatened with blackmail, she agrees. Meanwhile, after getting snubbed by the King of the Scots, Henry rushes to Prince Edward when he hears that Edward has fallen seriously ill. | ||||||||
| 33 | 5 | "Bottom of the Pot" | Winter 1541 – 13 February 1542 | Ciarán Donnelly | Michael Hirst | 9 May 2010 | 0.929[23] | |
| The King receives an anonymous letter accusing his wife of past sexual relationships with two men, including Francis Dereham. Henry suspects it is a malicious fraud but orders Lord Hertford to investigate. Queen Katherine is confined to and guarded in her apartments. Francis Dereham is arrested and interrogated; Joan Bulmer is questioned, as is the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, at whose home Joan and Katherine lived as young women. Dereham confesses that he and Katherine had planned to get married and that he knew her carnally before she became Queen, but denies subsequent adultery. Henry weeps when told of these discoveries. Nevertheless, Katherine is removed from court and loses her title as Queen. Her pleas for mercy are ignored. Francis Dereham is tortured as Lord Hertford seeks to establish whether Katherine committed adultery. Dereham denies the charge but accuses Culpeper, who is arrested. Henry isolates himself from his court. Katherine, Culpeper, Dereham and Lady Rochford are all executed. The King gives a banquet, attended only by 26 beautiful young women. | ||||||||
| 34 | 6 | "You Have My Permission" | 1542 | Ciarán Donnelly | Michael Hirst | 16 May 2010 | 0.820[24] | |
| The King orders an Act of Parliament to restore the succession of his two daughters, Princess Mary and Princess Elizabeth. Recalling Katherine's fate, Elizabeth vows that she will never marry. The King dispatches Hertford and his enemy the Earl of Surrey north to warn the King of Scotland that any further aggression will be responded to by England’s armies, leading to the Battle of Solway Moss. Meanwhile, both the ambassadors of France and of the Holy Roman Empire seek the support of England. Henry sides with the Catholic Emperor, for the first time since he was married to Catherine of Aragon. Bishop Stephen Gardiner hunts for suspected Calvinists. Henry takes an interest in the twice-married Catherine Parr. She wishes to marry Thomas Seymour, but within hours of her husband’s death, Seymour is transferred to Brussels as Ambassador, and the King proposes marriage. | ||||||||
| 35 | 7 | "Sixth and the Final Wife" | 1543 | Jeremy Podeswa | Michael Hirst | 23 May 2010 | 0.948[25] | |
| Henry marries Catherine Parr, his sixth wife. The wedding is notable for the presence of Henry’s daughters, Princesses Mary and Elizabeth. Catherine is determined to be a loving stepmother to the King’s children. Plans are made for the invasion of France, with Charles Brandon as commander of the English army, following the alliance with the Emperor Charles. As the Catholic influence increases, Bishop Gardiner begins to investigate the new Queen’s religious beliefs. Three hundred ships have been requisitioned to take guns, wagons, horses and the army to France. The King appoints Catherine regent in his absence, protector of the realm and guardian of his children. The Queen rises is well liked and respected. | ||||||||
| 36 | 8 | "As It Should Be" | 1544 | Jeremy Podeswa | Michael Hirst | 6 June 2010 | 0.991[26] | |
| In 1544, led by Henry, the Earl of Surrey and his men attempt to undermine French fortifications at Boulogne. The King entertains in style at his tent. Over two thousand men die of disease and starvation and another three thousand fall ill as ‘the flux’ sweeps the camp. When hope seems lost, engineer Treviso explodes a mine that brings down part of the city walls. The French surrender to Henry, who returns to England in triumph. Charles Brandon finds happiness with a young Frenchwoman, Brigitte, who returns with him from France. Henry decides not to advance further into France. Bishop Gardiner vows to destroy the queen. Henry is angry when the Emperor concludes a separate peace with France. Mary vows that, if ever she becomes queen, she will make England catholic once again. An increasingly frail Henry hears that the French are marching on Boulogne. | ||||||||
| 37 | 9 | "Secrets of the Heart" | 1545–1546 | Ciarán Donnelly | Michael Hirst | 13 June 2010 | 0.724[27] | |
| The Earl of Surrey loses 600 men in an unprovoked battle in France, endangering Henry’s recent success at Boulogne. News arrives that the King of France is preparing for war, and that Emperor Charles, England’s ally, has seized English ships and properties. A Catholic, Wriothesley is appointed Lord Chancellor. A female Lutheran preacher, Anne Askew, is imprisoned and tortured by Wriothesley and then burnt at the stake. Sir Richard Rich brings Mary news that her friend and confidant Eustace Chapuys is dead. Gardiner and his allies determine to trap Queen Catherine. The bishop tells the King that he has proof of her heresy. Henry replies that even if this were true, he would spare her life. The Earl of Surrey fails to convince the Privy Council with his explanation of how so many men were lost in France. His rank is withdrawn and the King refuses to see him. Surrey is arrested on charges of treason, and sentenced to death. | ||||||||
| 38 | 10 | "Death of a Monarchy" | January 1547 | Ciarán Donnelly | Michael Hirst | 20 June 2010 | 0.682[28] | |
| Henry is forced to surrender Boulogne as part of a peace treaty with France. King Francis is dying, and Henry remains in poor health; factions are forming at court as thoughts turn towards succession. Gardiner prepares an arrest warrant for Queen Catherine for heresy; when Wriothesley and his men come to arrest the Queen, they are sent away by Henry. Bishop Gardiner is expelled from court, and Wriothesley switches his allegiance to Seymour. Hearing that Charles Brandon is ill, the King summons him to court; Brandon dies soon after. Henry commissions artist Hans Holbein to do a portrait of him, but rejects the realistic depiction and demands that Holbein repaint it. He sees ghosts of his past wives: Catherine of Aragon, who tells him that Mary should have married and had children; Anne Boleyn, who maintains her innocence, and Jane Seymour, who tells him she is upset at young Edward's being shut away, and that he will die young. Realising his own death is imminent, Henry sends Queen Catherine and his daughters Mary and Elizabeth away, saying he will not see them again. Queen Catherine and Lady Mary weep outside Henry's chamber, but Elizabeth strides away. Henry is called to see his new portrait, which he approves. As he leaves the room, the fates of Henry's children are briefly explained and it is noted that the Tudor dynasty produced the two most famous monarchs in English history: Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. | ||||||||
Home media
| Season | Episodes | DVD release date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | Discs | |||
| Season 1 | 10 | 8 January 2008[29] | 10 December 2007[30] | 4 | ||
| Season 2 | 10 | 11 November 2008[31] (Canada) 6 January 2009[32] (United States) |
13 October 2008[33] | 4 | ||
| Season 3 | 8 | 10 November 2009[34] (Canada) 15 December 2009[35] (United States) |
7 December 2009[36] | 3 | ||
| Season 4 | 10 | 12 October 2010 (United States) 9 November 2010 (Canada) |
21 March 2011[37] | 3 | ||
See also
- Assertio Septem Sacramentorum, book by Henry VIII (Season 1, Episode 4)
References
- "The Tudors: Episodes". Showtime online (sho.com). Archived from the original on 30 March 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2008.
- As established by the series credits and character list on the official website Archived 2007-07-31 at WebCite, the character's name is spelled Katherine with a "K" in contrast to the English language spelling "Catherine" usually used for the actual historical figure.
- Nordyke, Kimberly (3 October 2007). "'Dexter' bow finds blood brothers". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
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- Yanan, Travis (24 April 2007). "Last Night's Results: Sunday 4/22/07". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on 27 June 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2017.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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- Yanan, Travis (8 May 2007). "Last Night's Results: Sunday 5/06/07". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on 27 June 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2017.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
- Yanan, Travis (15 May 2007). "Last Night's Results: Sunday 5/13/07". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2017.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
- Yanan, Travis (22 May 2007). "Last Night's Results: Sunday 5/22/07". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on 2 November 2007. Retrieved 16 July 2017.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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- Berman, Marc (28 May 2008). "Recounton HBO". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on 23 October 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
- Nordyke, Kimberly (3 June 2008). "'Tudors' season finale ratings up". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
- McKenzie, Ben (9 April 2009). "Tuning In to TV". The Washington Times. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- Levin, Gary (28 May 2009). "Nielsens: Ratings slip for Idol". USA Today. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- Broadcasting and Cable 13 April 2009 Showtime Picks Up Fourth And Final Season Of ‘The Tudors'
- Gorman, Bill (13 April 2010). "The Tudors Up In Fourth (and Final) Season Premiere". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
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- Seidman, Robert (4 May 2010). "Oy "Treme," "The Pacific" + "Army Wives" & Other Sunday Cable". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on 10 May 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- Seidman, Robert (11 May 2010). "Sunday Cable: NBA, "Army Wives" Tops With 18–49; "The Pacific" Dives Below 2 Million". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on 14 May 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- "Cable TV Ratings for Week Ending May 16, 2010" (PDF). TV Aholics. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
- Gorman, Bill (25 May 2010). "Sunday Cable: Lakers/Suns NBA Playoff, America: The Story Of US Tops With 18–49". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- Gorman, Bill (8 June 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: NASCAR Pocono, MTV Movie Awards, Army Wives, Breaking Bad & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- Gorman, Bill (14 June 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: True Blood, Breaking Bad, Army Wives, Drop Dead Diva & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- Gorman, Bill (22 June 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: Leverage, True Blood, Army Wives, Drop Dead Diva & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on 25 June 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2010.
- The Tudors: The Complete First Season – Amazon.com
- The Tudors: Complete BBC Series 1 – Amazon.co.uk
- The Tudors: The Complete Second Season – Futureshop.ca
- The Tudors DVD news: Delay for The Tudors – The Complete 2nd Season – TVShowsOnDVD.com Archived 2011-12-28 at the Wayback Machine
- The Tudors: Complete BBC Series 2 – Amazon.co.uk
- The Tudors: The Complete Third Season – TVShowsOnDVD Archived 2011-12-28 at the Wayback Machine
- The Tudors Season 3 DVD – TVShowsOnDVD.com Archived 2011-12-28 at the Wayback Machine
- The Tudors: Complete Third Series – Amazon.co.uk
- The Tudors: The Complete Fourth Season – Amazon.co.uk
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