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Press Releases
91Èȱ¬ Two will show more Tudor revelry
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The 91Èȱ¬ has acquired the second series of the historical drama The Tudors, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, which chronicles the early life of Henry VIII and his close coterie of advisors, minions and lovers.
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George McGhee, Controller of Programme Acquisitions, comments: "We are extremely pleased with our viewers' positive reactions to The Tudors and have subsequently acquired series two for transmission in 2008.
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"Henry VIII and his six wives are still compulsory viewing in the 21st century as portrayed by this young and excellent cast and the 91Èȱ¬ is a great home for the series."
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Written and created by Michael Hirst (Elizabeth), the second series was shot in Ireland this summer with Jonathan Rhys Meyers heading an all-star cast as the young Henry VIII.
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"At the end of the first series of The Tudors, we stood at the edge of the precipice; in the second series we jump right off it! There are old and new conflicts, both at court and outside it, where the rapid changes to social life bring turmoil and sometimes tragedy," says Michael Hirst.
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Among story lines to look forward to is the dramatisation of the cataclysmic events which made up the English Reformation: the destruction of the Catholic Church and revolution in England in the name of freedom, progress and prosperity.
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Having broken from Rome, Henry faces the wrath of the new Pope, Paul III, played by screen legend Peter O'Toole, and goes on to marry Anne Boleyn who delivers a child, but not a longed-for son and heir.
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The new series follows the dramatic and often heart-breaking twists and turns in the story of the royal marriage and introduces a new and destabilising element – Jane Seymour – to the Queen's chamber.
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The Tudors is executive produced by Ben Silverman (Revielle) and Michael Hirst along with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title.
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The series was acquired by Sue Deeks, Head of Series, 91Èȱ¬ Programme Acquisition, and Jane Tranter, Controller, 91Èȱ¬ Fiction.
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The first series, launched on 5 October 2007, has delivered 91Èȱ¬ Two's best Friday peak share for 13 weeks, averaging 3.2m/15.3% – over a million more than the 91Èȱ¬ Two slot average.
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The second series of The Tudors will transmit next year.
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The Tudors is produced by Peace Arch and TM Productions in association with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and Showtime Networks and has been acquired from Sony Pictures Television International.
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GJ
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