BBC to shoot the final part of "Wolf Hall" trilogy distributed by Banijay

The BBC and Masterpiece PBS have announced that "Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light", based on the final novel in Hilary Mantel’s trilogy, will begin filming shortly. Reuniting the creative team from the BAFTA and Golden Globe winning first series, "Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light" will be directed by Peter Kosminsky ("The Undeclared War"), adapted for television by Peter Straughan ("Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy") and produced by Colin Callender’s Playground ("The Undeclared War") and Company Pictures ("Van Der Valk").

Mark Rylance will return to his role of Thomas Cromwell, with Damian Lewis returning as King Henry VIII, alongside Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Wolsey. Also returning are Kate Phillips as Henry VIII’s third wife Jane Seymour and Lilit Lesser as Princess Mary, the daughter of Henry and his first wife Catherine of Aragon.

"Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light" is a Playground and Company Pictures co-production for the BBC and Masterpiece. The series will be distributed internationally by Banijay Rights.

Director Peter Kosminsky says: “The Mirror and the Light picks up exactly where Wolf Hall ended, with the execution of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn. I'm overjoyed to be able to reunite the extraordinary cast we were lucky enough to assemble for 'Wolf Hall', led by the brilliant Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis, with the original creative team of Gavin Finney (DOP), Pat Campbell (Designer) and Joanna Eatwell (Costume Designer). We are all determined to complete what we started – and to honour the final novel written by one of the greatest literary figures of our age, Hilary Mantel.”

Colin Callender, CEO of Playground, says “Following the success of the BAFTA and Golden Globe winning original television adaptation of the first two books in Hilary Mantel’s acclaimed Wolf Hall trilogy, we are thrilled and honoured that, nine years later, we have been able re-unite Peter Kosminsky and his brilliant team, in front of and behind the camera, to bring Thomas Cromwell‘s final chapter to the screen. Intimate, thrilling, and deeply moving, The Mirror and the Light shines a fresh light on the politics of power and the personal price paid by those who wield it. Cromwell’s story is as contemporary as ever – a story of loyalty and betrayal that just happens to be about people 500 years ago.”

Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer, says: “A stunning and unforgettable adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s sublime novels, 'Wolf Hall' quickly established itself as one of the all-time great television dramas, with millions of adoring viewers across the U.K. and around the World. Almost a decade on we’re delighted to have reunited this exceptional creative team and lead cast to conclude Mantel’s thrilling saga on the BBC.”

Susanne Simpson, Executive Producer of Masterpiece says: “I am incredibly proud to bring 'Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light' to Masterpiece and the American audience. It is thrilling that such brilliant actors as Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis will reprise their roles for this final chapter of Thomas Cromwell’s story. The level of excellence on and off screen for this series is incomparable.”