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The Herald Scotland
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
It has Sean Bean but Tudor murder mystery is as slow as week in Tower
** ENGLAND 1536, and the forecast is for a dark and stormy night with a blizzard of introductory captions. King Henry VIII has broken with the Roman Catholic Church; monasteries are resisting reform; crows caw and swoop as a messenger on a horse thunders through the gloom. By 'eck it's grim out there in STV's new historical drama Shardlake. I say 'new' historical drama but admirers of CJ Sansom's novels will know this period murder mystery has been this way before. It first aired on Disney+ in 2024, but after four episodes the show wasn't renewed; it can be grim out there in streaming land, too. Welcome back, then, to a world of mud, candlelight, intrigue, religion, politics and Sean Bean. We'll get to the mighty Bean in a mo, but first, to the titular young Matthew Shardlake, here earning his crust as a Tudor lawyer/detective. Shardlake is disabled, which puts him at a disadvantage in a society that sees difference as a curse. We know what Shardlake thinks of that, and much else, because he has a handy habit of talking out loud to himself. 'Ready Matthew, ready for what this day might bring?' he asks his reflection in the window. The day has brought a summons from Thomas Cromwell (Sean Bean). A commissioner has been murdered in a distant monastery and Cromwell wants Shardlake to have a gander. Since every Sherlock must have his Watson, Cromwell sends young buck John Barak (Anthony Boyle) to accompany Shardlake, much to our hero's annoyance. Mark Rylance rather made Cromwell his own in Wolf Hall, so all power to Bean's elbow for taking on the gig. His Cromwell is more swaggering than quietly sinister. As for accent, Bean goes for a sort of posh Yorkshire compared to Rylance's soft, indeterminate burr. Either way, these are not men to be messed with. The monastery lot are less than delighted to see the pair, with one brother (Paul Kaye) going so far as to call Cromwell the Antichrist, which rather puts a kink in dinner. But Shardlake has his orders and is determined to stick around and solve the case. What his detractors don't realise is the power Shardlake derives from his disability. 'It is I and I embrace it,' he says in another one-to-one with himself. 'It's my disguise.' It also gives him empathy with society's weak and vulnerable, which in this case means women and a young lad being bullied mercilessly by a senior monk. The attitudes toward disability, the attempts at witty asides, the empathy, makes Shardlake a modern affair, presumably to widen its appeal. But the more talk, less action approach also makes the hour seem as slow as a week in the Tower. Shardlake also wants to have its period cake and eat it, which means lots of gloomy scenes where you can barely make out what is going on. There is always Sean Bean, however, even if the glimpses of him so far have been few and far between, and when he is on screen you half expect him to start banging on about a certain brand of tea. You don't get that with Mark Rylance.
Wales Online
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Reason why hit Sean Bean drama Shardlake isn't returning for season 2
Reason why hit Sean Bean drama Shardlake isn't returning for season 2 Shardlake is set to air on ITV for the first time tonight. Despite garnering glowing reviews, Shardlake won't be back for a second series. The historical drama makes its ITV debut tonight and is adapted from CJ Sansom's acclaimed novel series, starting with Dissolution. The show masterfully weaves fact and fiction, setting its narrative in the tumultuous era of King Henry VIII. Premiering on Disney Plus in 2024, Shardlake now occupies the prime 9pm slot on ITV1, offering an alternative to Maya Jama's Love Island premiere. Starring Sean Bean from Game of Thrones fame, Arthur Hughes as the Tudor lawyer Matthew Shardlake, and Anthony Boyle, the series delves into a gripping mystery. Thomas Cromwell (played by Sean) entrusts Shardlake with solving a murder linked to a monastery's closure, alongside his assistant Jack Barak (Anthony). Shardlake has landed on ITVX (Image: Hulu/YouTube ) Article continues below ITV makes major announcement and it involves Jeremy Clarkson and Ben Shephard READ MORE: Although Shardlake achieved a commendable 81% rating on Disney Plus, it has been confirmed that there will be no follow-up season due to its cancellation by the streaming service. The announcement of its discontinuation came this January, concurrent with the end of superhero comedy Extraordinary, as a Disney Plus representative informed Variety: "Disney+ Original series Extraordinary will not be returning for a third season on the service. "We're so proud of the hilarious, award-winning series brought to life by the incredibly talented British and Irish cast and crew, our production partners at Sid Gentle Films, and the exceptional writing talent of creator Emma Moran. "Disney+ Original series, Shardlake will also not be returning for a second season on the service. "We'd like to thank Stephen Butchard who adapted the late C.J. Sansom's beloved novel for the screen, the entire cast – led by the outstanding Arthur Hughes – and crew, and our production partners The Forge and Runaway Fridge. "We hope to work with all of our partners across these shows again in the future." Sean Bean stars in the historical drama (Image: Hulu/YouTube ) Though the thinking behind the cancellation was not officially confirmed, according to Radio Times, the team behind Shardlake had stressed they were keen to adapt the next book in Sansom's series, Dark Fire. Following Dissolution, the Shardlake novel series continued with Dark Fire, Sovereign, Revelation, Heartstone, Lamentation and Tombland, which was released in 2018. Despite his diagnosis with multiple myeloma in 2012, author Sansom continued writing and planning for future books. In a 2010 interview with The Guardian, he mused: "It would be nice to carry on into Elizabeth's time, and have someone I actually like on the throne. Shardlake meets Elizabeth in Heartstone, when she's just 11. By the time she comes to the throne, he will be long in the tooth and so will I, but I'd like to develop their relationship." However, he sadly died in April 2024 in a hospice near his home in Brighton at the age of 71. Shardlake began streaming on Disney+ just a week after his death. Article continues below Shardlake is available to watch on ITVX.
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Shardlake cast: who are the actors in Sean Bean show?
Shardlake is set to make its debut on ITV - a year after it released on Disney Plus 👀 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Historical mystery Shardlake is coming to ITV1 tonight (June 9). Sean Bean is among the famous faces in the four-part drama. But who else is in the cast and where do you know them from? Television fans who missed out on the thoroughly excellent series Shardlake will get another chance - as it comes to ITV in just a matter of hours. The four-part mystery is based on the series of best selling books of the same name. The Tudor-era thriller originally debuted on Disney Plus just over a year ago, however it is now coming to terrestrial TV. Sean Bean is among the very recognisable faces in the cast. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But who are the other actors in the show - and why has it been cancelled by Disney? Here's all you need to know: When is Shardlake on ITV and how to watch? Having originally debuted on Disney Plus in spring 2024, the four-part historical mystery is set to arrive on terrestrial TV tonight (June 9). The first episode will premiere on ITV1/ STV at 9pm and will run until 10pm, being followed by the nightly news. The full boxset is available to stream right now on ITVX - but the show is also set to be broadcast weekly on TV. The second episode is due to air next Monday (June 16) at the same time of 9pm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Arthur Hughes in Shardlake | The Forge/Runaway Fridge/ITV ITV has in recent years struck up a deal with Disney Plus to bring some of its shows to ITVX. Previous examples include Extraordinary, Andrew Garfield's Under the Banner of Heaven and more. Shardlake is the latest example - and it has also nabbed a prime slot on terrestrial TV. It is well worth watching tonight, if you didn't have access to it on Disney Plus. Who is in the cast of Shardlake? The cast features plenty of familiar faces - not least of all Sean Bean. The cast includes: Arthur Hughes as Matthew Shardlake Anthony Boyle as John "Jack" Barak Sean Bean as Thomas Cromwell Ruby Ashbourne Serkis as Alice Fewterer Joe Barber as Novice Simon Whelplay Miles Barrow as Brother Gabriel Babou Ceesay as Abbot Fabian Peter Firth as Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk Paul Kaye as Brother Jerome Mike Noble as Master Bugge David Pearse as Brother Edwig Irfan Shamji as Brother Guy Matthew Steer as Dr. Goodhap Brian Vernel as Prior Mortimus Michael Rivers as Robin Singleton Ken Nwosu as Snook Hilary Tones as Old Annie Kimberley Nixon as Joan Alex Lowe as Brother Andrew Toby Eden as young Shardlake Where do you know Shardlake cast from? Sean Bean obviously needs no introduction - having played iconic roles such as Sharpe in the ITV series and Boromir in Lord of the Rings. He was also recently in BBC's This City is Ours as well as the first season of the acclaimed drama Time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Arthur Hughes - who is playing Shardlake himself - has had roles on Netflix and BBC in his career so far. He played Liam Ashby in the Jenna Coleman-fronted series The Jetty in 2024, as well as Ryan McDaniel in The Innocents back in 2018. In the Shardlake novels, the titular character has a hunchback and Arthur Hughes has radial dysplasia affecting his right arm. Rounding out the main cast is Anthony Boyle, who you may recognise from Apple TV's Masters of the Air - from the people behind Band of Brothers. He also had roles in films such as The Lost City of Z, Tolkien and 2023's Tetris. During 2024, Anthony also had roles in another Apple TV series Manhunt - playing President Lincoln's assassin John Wilkes Booth. He also played Brendan Hughes in Disney Plus' Say Nothing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Will there be another series of Shardlake? After making its debut on Disney Plus last year, it was revealed back in January that Shardlake would not be returning for a second season. The show only adapted the first of seven books in the series. A rep for the streamer told Variety: ''Shardlake' will also not be returning for a second season on the service. We'd like to thank Stephen Butchard who adapted the late C.J. Sansom's beloved novel for the screen, the entire cast – led by the outstanding Arthur Hughes – and crew, and our production partners The Forge and Runaway Fridge.' Disney Plus also confirmed that superhero comedy Extraordinary would not be coming back for a third series. Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at . It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
You can finally binge all 4 episodes of 'fantastic' historical drama for free
A critically acclaimed historical drama has arrived on a UK streaming service for free – just over a year after it was first released. Shardlake, which was originally released on Disney Plus in May 2024, was based on the 2000s novel series of the same by CJ Sansom. Set in the 16th century, the novels followed both fictional and non-fictional characters during the reign of King Henry VIII – much like BBC drama Wolf Hall. The series starred Game of Thrones actor Sean Bean, William Shakespeare theatre star Arthur Hughes, and Anthony Boyle of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child fame. Production on the four-part miniseries was overseen by The Last Kingdom creator Stephen Butchard and TV director Justin Chadwick, known for EastEnders. The series was cancelled by Disney Plus in January of this year, long after the first season had concluded, with prospective plans for a second season shut down. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video But perhaps there could be fresh hope of a delayed renewal after all – that's if Shardlake takes off again after ITV decided to broadcast all four episodes. The series follows Hughes' character Matthew Shardlake, a fictional 16th-century lawyer who has been asked to solve a mysterious murder at a monastery. Titular character Shardlake is under the employ of Thomas Cromwell, played by Bean, and is 'riddled with scoliosis' according to a synopsis from the Radio Times. Shardlake will be starting its run on ITV tonight at 9pm – episode two will be broadcast on June 16 and 9pm, with episodes three and four presumably going out on June 23 and June 30. All four episodes are currently available to stream on ITVX, however, for those who are excited for the whodunit series and want to binge the whole thing. On X, @The_Perdita commented: 'The mother and I are watching Shardlake – [Disney] are going to hell for not renewing it for another season.' @Monkey_Maisie said: 'ITV is showing a new series, Shardlake, at 9pm Monday. We loved the books so hope it will be good. It has Sean Bean in it!' When it was cancelled, @ChriThor said: 'Predictable really, we can't seem to keep good TV shows and it appears that Shardlake is another one that has been cancelled.' @TariboWest55 bemoaned: 'Really gutted to hear the news – Shardlake won't be returning for a second season. What a missed opportunity. Great cast and fantastic books. Disappointed.' The first Shardlake book, titled Dissolution, was published in 2003, with Dark Fire, Sovereign, and Relevation all coming out later in the same decade. More Trending In the 2010s, the series continued with Heartstone, Lamentation, and Tombland, with the last of the latest books coming out in 2018. No Shardlake books have been released since. Author CJ Sansom was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in his bone marrow cells in 2012, but continued to write and planned to continue the series. However, he sadly grew too unwell to keep on working and died in April 2024, aged 71 – he'd spent his final days in a hospice near his home in Brighton. View More » Watch Shardlake on ITV, Monday, June 9 at 9pm. Watch episodes on ITVX. Shardlake is also available to stream on Disney Plus. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Stephen Mulhern makes major TV mistake for first time in 10 years MORE: Richard Madeley reveals grisly injury live on air after horror fall MORE: Portugal vs Spain TV channel and live stream: How to watch Nations League final in the UK tonight
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Shardlake cast: who are the actors in Sean Bean show?
Shardlake is set to make its debut on ITV - a year after it released on Disney Plus 👀 Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Historical mystery Shardlake is coming to ITV1 tonight (June 9). Sean Bean is among the famous faces in the four-part drama. But who else is in the cast and where do you know them from? Television fans who missed out on the thoroughly excellent series Shardlake will get another chance - as it comes to ITV in just a matter of hours. The four-part mystery is based on the series of best selling books of the same name. The Tudor-era thriller originally debuted on Disney Plus just over a year ago, however it is now coming to terrestrial TV. Sean Bean is among the very recognisable faces in the cast. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But who are the other actors in the show - and why has it been cancelled by Disney? Here's all you need to know: When is Shardlake on ITV and how to watch? Having originally debuted on Disney Plus in spring 2024, the four-part historical mystery is set to arrive on terrestrial TV tonight (June 9). The first episode will premiere on ITV1/ STV at 9pm and will run until 10pm, being followed by the nightly news. The full boxset is available to stream right now on ITVX - but the show is also set to be broadcast weekly on TV. The second episode is due to air next Monday (June 16) at the same time of 9pm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Arthur Hughes in Shardlake | The Forge/Runaway Fridge/ITV ITV has in recent years struck up a deal with Disney Plus to bring some of its shows to ITVX. Previous examples include Extraordinary, Andrew Garfield's Under the Banner of Heaven and more. Shardlake is the latest example - and it has also nabbed a prime slot on terrestrial TV. It is well worth watching tonight, if you didn't have access to it on Disney Plus. Who is in the cast of Shardlake? The cast features plenty of familiar faces - not least of all Sean Bean. The cast includes: Arthur Hughes as Matthew Shardlake Anthony Boyle as John "Jack" Barak Sean Bean as Thomas Cromwell Ruby Ashbourne Serkis as Alice Fewterer Joe Barber as Novice Simon Whelplay Miles Barrow as Brother Gabriel Babou Ceesay as Abbot Fabian Peter Firth as Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk Paul Kaye as Brother Jerome Mike Noble as Master Bugge David Pearse as Brother Edwig Irfan Shamji as Brother Guy Matthew Steer as Dr. Goodhap Brian Vernel as Prior Mortimus Michael Rivers as Robin Singleton Ken Nwosu as Snook Hilary Tones as Old Annie Kimberley Nixon as Joan Alex Lowe as Brother Andrew Toby Eden as young Shardlake Where do you know Shardlake cast from? Sean Bean obviously needs no introduction - having played iconic roles such as Sharpe in the ITV series and Boromir in Lord of the Rings. He was also recently in BBC's This City is Ours as well as the first season of the acclaimed drama Time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Arthur Hughes - who is playing Shardlake himself - has had roles on Netflix and BBC in his career so far. He played Liam Ashby in the Jenna Coleman-fronted series The Jetty in 2024, as well as Ryan McDaniel in The Innocents back in 2018. In the Shardlake novels, the titular character has a hunchback and Arthur Hughes has radial dysplasia affecting his right arm. Rounding out the main cast is Anthony Boyle, who you may recognise from Apple TV's Masters of the Air - from the people behind Band of Brothers. He also had roles in films such as The Lost City of Z, Tolkien and 2023's Tetris. During 2024, Anthony also had roles in another Apple TV series Manhunt - playing President Lincoln's assassin John Wilkes Booth. He also played Brendan Hughes in Disney Plus' Say Nothing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Will there be another series of Shardlake? After making its debut on Disney Plus last year, it was revealed back in January that Shardlake would not be returning for a second season. The show only adapted the first of seven books in the series. A rep for the streamer told Variety: ''Shardlake' will also not be returning for a second season on the service. We'd like to thank Stephen Butchard who adapted the late C.J. Sansom's beloved novel for the screen, the entire cast – led by the outstanding Arthur Hughes – and crew, and our production partners The Forge and Runaway Fridge.' Disney Plus also confirmed that superhero comedy Extraordinary would not be coming back for a third series.
