Damian Lewis reveals playing Henry VIII in Wolf Hall ‘wore him down’ as he admits life can be ‘grey and dithering’ after wife Helen McCrory lost her battle with cancer

Damian Lewis reveals playing Henry VIII in Wolf Hall 'wore him down' as he admits life can be 'grey and dithering' after wife Helen McCrory lost her battle with cancer

As a devoted fan of historical dramas, I am eagerly anticipating the return of “Wolf Hall” with Sir Mark Rylance reprising his role as Thomas Cromwell and Damian Lewis as King Henry VIII. Having witnessed their exceptional performances in the first series, I am intrigued by the darker tone this season promises to convey, reflecting the political turmoil of the period. Yet, I am comforted by the assurance that the show will still captivate us with its sumptuous costumes, settings, and locations.


In his own words, Damian Lewis disclosed that playing Henry VIII in the BBC’s version of Wolf Hall left him feeling exhausted.

The actor, 53, candidly confessed that he usually finds acting very therapeutic but found the role of the Tudor monarch exhausting. 

In her own words, The Homeland actress pointed out that portraying a character with the ability to seemingly act as they wish provided enjoyable instances, as real life seldom mirrors such freedom.

As an utterly smitten admirer, I’d rephrase it this way: “I gleefully shared with Radio Times that the change was refreshing, for I often find reality to be drab and indecisive.

Indeed, I find solace and healing in acting, yet I can’t help but feel that consistently portraying such characters might eventually take a toll on one’s spirit, as they seem to drain energy over the long run.

Damian Lewis reveals playing Henry VIII in Wolf Hall 'wore him down' as he admits life can be 'grey and dithering' after wife Helen McCrory lost her battle with cancer

Damian Lewis reveals playing Henry VIII in Wolf Hall 'wore him down' as he admits life can be 'grey and dithering' after wife Helen McCrory lost her battle with cancer
Damian Lewis reveals playing Henry VIII in Wolf Hall 'wore him down' as he admits life can be 'grey and dithering' after wife Helen McCrory lost her battle with cancer

Absolutely, there’s a certain liberation found in having the ability to act freely as you choose, because quality dramas often delve into extreme situations – showcasing our excesses, internal struggles, and peak achievements. However, life doesn’t always mirror these dramatic extremes. Instead, it can be subtler, with more shades of grey and indecision.

The star made the candid confession three years after the death of his wife Helen McCrory.

Back in April of 2021, I lost a beloved icon when Peaky Blinders’ talented star succumbed to the cruel grasp of breast cancer at just 52 years old. In the face of this heart-wrenching tragedy, Damian has found solace and expression in the beautiful art of music.

The celebrity penned a few extremely intimate songs, some of which appeared on his first studio album, Mission Creep, that dropped the previous year.

Additionally, the star of Billions TV show has been relishing a new form of expression, socializing with fellow artists and putting on shows.

However, Damian emphasized that he’ll persist with his music as along as the audience continues to show interest in it.

The star said: ‘It has to wash its own face,’ and added he would like to keep going if he can. 

Apart from that, he shared that his latest venture into music surpasses his humble beginnings, where he used to play music as a teen outside subway stations.

Damian Lewis reveals playing Henry VIII in Wolf Hall 'wore him down' as he admits life can be 'grey and dithering' after wife Helen McCrory lost her battle with cancer
Damian Lewis reveals playing Henry VIII in Wolf Hall 'wore him down' as he admits life can be 'grey and dithering' after wife Helen McCrory lost her battle with cancer

Damian shared a variety of his classic hits from the past, and the Elvis medley was particularly well-received.

And the star has more than one string to his bow. 

He shared that playing the part of Henry VIII was captivating for him, as it offered a chance to delve deeply into the historical events of that era.

He expressed that he greatly enjoyed studying history, and also enjoys acting at the university. He suggests that, with caution and smart decision-making in choosing roles, one can continue their education throughout their career. If luck favors you, having a variety of role options to choose from is an added benefit.

Indeed, taking on a character such as Henry VIII allows for a deep dive into Tudor history, which is one of the aspects that truly captivates me when selecting roles.

Damian will be starring as the difficult monarch in the BBC’s adaptation of the Wolf Hall trilogy.

According to Dame Hilary Mantel’s novel named Wolf Hall, the continuation titled Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light resumes where the previous series concluded following the execution of Queen Anne Boleyn. Although King Henry VIII is now free to remarry, the court politics have never been more treacherous than they are at this point.

In a more secluded setting, the anxious and determined Thomas Cromwell, portrayed once more by Sir Mark Rylance, grows relentless in his pursuit of maintaining power. At the same time, King Henry, skillfully played by Homeland’s Damian Lewis, becomes progressively suspicious and challenging to satisfy.

Damian Lewis reveals playing Henry VIII in Wolf Hall 'wore him down' as he admits life can be 'grey and dithering' after wife Helen McCrory lost her battle with cancer
Damian Lewis reveals playing Henry VIII in Wolf Hall 'wore him down' as he admits life can be 'grey and dithering' after wife Helen McCrory lost her battle with cancer

The grimmer atmosphere is noticeable in the latest trailer, where the King speaks to Tudor political figure Cromwell, saying, “You have only a few allies, Cromwell,” and “It’s always you with the grim tidings.” In response, Cromwell warns one of his allies, “When diplomacy and concessions no longer work and the only option is to eliminate your adversaries… keep the axe ready.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but feel a thrill at the grittier atmosphere that mirrors the times we’re diving into. Yet, fear not, fellow enthusiasts! The vivid costumes, breathtaking settings, and captivating locations from the first season are here to stay in this new chapter. It’s a darker ride, yes, but it’s still the same enchanting world we fell in love with.

After taking a break from acting to concentrate on his burgeoning music career and tour his first album, the show features Damian.

Earlier, it was disclosed that Damian found a feeling of ease when he put out his album last year, an album containing verses dedicated to his deceased wife, Helen.

During an interview on This Morning in March, the ginger actor shared his thoughts about his music, stating: “Composing a song and having it appear on an album was challenging for me. Writing ten songs seemed like quite a feat.

‘I Iooked at some of my old songs and they were so terrible!’

Damian went on to say: ‘However, I found myself at ease with the concept of Mission Creep. It includes a few personal tracks that reveal details about my late wife, Helen.’

‘So there’s some personal stuff there.’

As a die-hard admirer, I can’t help but share the heartwarming tale of Billions star Damian, whose family life mirrors the intensity of his on-screen roles. Together with Helen, they are proud parents to Manon, 16, and Gulliver, 15. What makes this story even more captivating is that my idol Damian confided that both his children have been incredibly supportive during his career shift towards music.

Damian Lewis reveals playing Henry VIII in Wolf Hall 'wore him down' as he admits life can be 'grey and dithering' after wife Helen McCrory lost her battle with cancer

He explained: ‘They’re being really sweet about it and they are actually really talented musicians themselves.

It’s somewhat frustrating for me when your father is engaged in music, as that’s something I aspire to do myself. However, considering their superior talent compared to mine, I’ve encouraged them to continue pursuing it.

‘There isn’t a chance in hell they will ever [perform] with me.’

It appears that Damian hasn’t explicitly stated which songs relate to Helen, but the emotionally charged track “She Comes” seems to express his feelings of sorrow.

The lyrics include: ‘She comes as a blackbird, she comes as a fox. She sits at the window, she sings from a rock.

‘She is both the radiant sun during the day and the soft glow of the moon at night. She resides within me, even when hidden. She embodies my happiness, my sorrow, and has showered me with her tears.’

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2024-11-05 04:03

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