Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light ending explained – Cromwell’s downfall and execution

Following the story crafted by British writer Hilary Mantel, BBC One released Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, a historical drama that focuses on the final chapter of Thomas Cromwell’s story. It shows Cromwell’s final years as a central figure during the rule of King Henry VIII.

The historical drama also highlights how he climbed the political ladder and carefully handled the dangerous and often unpredictable world of the Tudor court. Being an incredibly intelligent individual, the story dives into Cromwell's political skills and how he stood in favor of the King for a long time.

Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light kicks off during May 1536, when Henry VIII’s second wife, named Anne Boleyn, is executed. From there, the series traces Cromwell's life over the next four years and shows how a son of a blacksmith transformed into one of the most powerful men in England as the king’s chief minister.

Since the drama is set in the old times, it offers viewers a deep exploration of the power struggle, betrayals, and what it takes to survive at court. It also features Cromwell’s involvement in getting Henry VIII married to Jane Seymour.

Want to know how the historical drama concluded? Keep reading!

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Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light ending explained: Cromwell's downfall

Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light ends with the dramatic fall of Thomas Cromwell, once one of the most powerful figures at King Henry VIII’s court. After years of loyal service, Cromwell is accused of treason — a charge rooted mainly in his failed effort to arrange Henry’s marriage to Anne of Cleves, a match the king despised.

Despite Cromwell’s desperate attempts to win back the king’s trust, including sending him a symbolic ring as a gesture of loyalty, nothing could reverse his fate. The final scenes show Cromwell’s arrest, stripping away all his titles, and the grim path to his execution.

Yet, just before the axe falls, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light's ending offers a glimpse of a serene garden, hinting at a kind of spiritual peace or release from the brutal world he navigated throughout his life.

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A trial where people betrayed each other in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light

In the final moments of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light, Cromwell’s trial is shown as a painful story of betrayal and political games. People he once trusted turn against him, and the system he helped build is now being used to destroy him.

He loses all his power and ends up locked in the Tower of London — and what makes it even crueler is that he’s put in the exact room he had once proudly prepared for Anne Boleyn’s coronation celebration. It’s a bitter, heartbreaking twist.

Even though Cromwell knows he’s facing death, he doesn’t break down or act dramatically. Instead, he handles it with quiet strength and dignity. The show doesn’t make his final moments into a big, over-the-top scene. Instead, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light shows them in a simple, realistic way that feels very human.

One of the most emotional parts is when Cromwell says goodbye to his young protégé, Rafe Sadler. Even when Cromwell’s own life is about to end, he still worries about Rafe and gives him advice and comfort. It shows that Cromwell truly cared about the people he mentored, right up until the end.

When it’s time for Cromwell’s execution, the series doesn’t try to turn it into a shocking or sensational event. There’s no dramatic music or wild reactions. Instead, it feels calm and almost personal. Cromwell spends his final moments quietly thinking about his life — about everything he built, the people he loved, and the betrayals he suffered.

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The drama ends with a grand wedding and execution at the same time

As Cromwell is led to execution, there is a royal wedding taking place at the same time. This is a stark reminder in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light that life at court goes on regardless. One great person is swapped for another as if nothing ever occurred.

In his final moments, Cromwell pictures a tranquil garden, an emblem of the quiet, peaceful life he privately desired but was never able to enjoy due to the violent world of politics in which he lived.

What made this historical drama even more impactful is how the story didn't end with a typical bang or loud noises. The events featured are bittersweet, but that's how Cromwell lived his final years.

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