Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the historical drama?

The widely awaited sequel to the hit BBC series Wolf Hall based on Hilary Mantel's last book in her Tudor trilogy, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light, premiered on March 23, 2025, in the US.

This six-part series continues to unveil the exciting saga of the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell in the hitting court of King Henry VIII. Like the first season, this season stars a magnificent cast, with some returning and some new players.

---

Returning Cast Members in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light

The series sees the return of several key actors reprising their roles from the original Wolf Hall series:

1) Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell: Rylance returns as the intuitive and strategic Cromwell. His performance in Wolf Hall won him a BAFTA and much praise. The situation is tougher in this new part for Cromwell, as he is up against renewed opposition from rivals.

2) Damian Lewis as Henry VIII: With unpredictable charm, Damian returns to the character of unpredictable King Henry VIII. He powerfully portrayed Henry's dominion and caprice in the first season. In The Mirror and the Light, his fight to cement his legacy and the aftermath of his decisions are examined.

3) Kate Phillips as Jane Seymour: Phillips comes on as Jane Seymour, Henry's third wife. The quiet strength and adaptability that Phillips gave to Jane made her a popular character. In time, Jane's power to influence becomes greater, but her position remains troubled with doubts.

4) Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Wolsey: Pryce is back to play Wolsey, whose downfall represents a chance of advancement for Cromwell. While Wolsey's presence in The Mirror and the Light is almost ghostly, his influence on Cromwell's decisions is far-reaching.

5) Lilit Lesser as Lady Mary: Lesser continues her role as Henry's daughter and spends her days renegotiating her place in the court, organized with intrigue and shifting alliances.

6) Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Rafe Sadler: Brodie-Sangster returns as Rafe Sadler, Cromwell's loyal clerk and aide. The character depicts Cromwell's personal loyalties and his difficulty in maneuvering through the turbulence of court politics.

7) Joss Porter as Richard Cromwell: Porter returns as Cromwell's nephew. His role emphasizes the personal sacrifices and family ties that shaped Cromwell's political aspirations.

8) Will Keen as Archbishop Cranmer: Keen continues to play Cromwell's ally in the English Reformation. In this last installment, the unwavering support for Cromwell in religious reforms becomes even more significant.

---

New Additions to the Ensemble of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light

The sequel introduces several notable actors to its ensemble, enriching the narrative with fresh portrayals:

1) Harriet Walter as Lady Margaret Pole: Walter takes on the role of the Catholic Pole house's strong and brave noblewoman and matriarch, steeped in lineage caveats threatening Henry's reign.

2) Timothy Spall as the Duke of Norfolk: Spall takes the role of Anne Boleyn's uncle. He is an impressive and outspoken figure in the government with too much interest in the royal court.

3) Harry Melling as Thomas Wriothesley: Melling represents the ambitious clerk who is mentored by Stephen Gardiner. His ties and actions will determine Cromwell's fate.

4) Alex Jennings as Stephen Gardiner: Jennings plays Cromwell's court rival, the ambassador to France for the king, adding more levels of intrigue to the court's drama.

5) Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Bess Oughtred: Richardson-Sellers plays the widow who is married to Gregory Cromwell and represents the family politics involved.

6) Lydia Leonard as Jane Rochford: Leonard brings to life the kind of noblewoman who is now basking as a widow under George Boleyn, whose career can be both significant and at risk in court.

7) Charlie Rowe as Gregory Cromwell: Cromwell's son is played by Rowe, a son whose marriage and station combine the lines of personal and political aspirations.

8) Corentin Fila as Christophe: Here, we invent an imaginary character from Calais, giving another angle on the narrative.

9) Karim Kadjar as Eustace Chapuys: Kadjar embodies the Spanish ambassador, whose loyalties and actions influence international relations.

10) Lucy Russell as Lady Anne Shelton: Russell represents Anne Boleyn's aunt, caught between the ties she shares with her family and the expectations set by the court.

11) Will Tudor as Edward Seymour: Edward is the brother of Jane Seymour, and Tudor manages to depict his ambition for the royal succession.

12) Viola Prettejohn as Mary Fitzroy: Prettejohn plays the Duchess of Richmond and Somerset, whose position in the court is simultaneously privileged and precarious.

13) Thomas Arnold as Hans Holbein: Arnold brings life to the eminent painter on screen, capturing the visages of people called great in Tudor England.

14) Jordan Kouamé as Martin the Gaoler: Kouamé acts as the prison guard, regulating the fates of those who have fallen from royal favor.

---

Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light will surely take an emotional final walk through Thomas Cromwell's journey, weaving a rich tapestry of returning characters and compelling new additions. The ensemble cast, led by Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis, will help bring to life the intricacies of Hilary Mantel's narrative in the bustling complexity of the Tudor court.

Fans of historical drama will not be disappointed when the series finally reveals its emotionally gripping and stunning visuals.

For more updates, stay tuned to this space.