Amazon Prime drops all seasons of BBC historical drama hailed a ‘masterpiece’
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A period drama set during the reign of King Henry VIII once called ‘phenomenal’ by fans is now available to binge on Amazon Prime. Premiering in 2007, The Tudors starred Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the monarch, with the first season following the period in his reign in which his ability to rule was put under strain by international conflicts and political power struggles playing out in his own court.
![[Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Showtime/Everett/REX/Shutterstock (649612y) 'The Tudors', Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII, (Season 1), 2007- 'The Tudors' TV series, Season 1 - 2007]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_236921083-0cf7.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
His wife Katharine of Aragon was played by Maria Doyle Kennedy while Natalie Dormer took on the role of his mistress Anne Boleyn. Upon hitting screens, the show became the highest-rating Showtime series debut in three years. It originally aired in the UK on BBC.
![[Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Showtime/Everett/REX/Shutterstock (649612w) 'The Tudors', Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn, (Season 1), 2007- 'The Tudors' TV series, Season 1 - 2007]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_236921013-4b54.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Although reviews were mixed from both critics and fans, the praised the series received from some was glowing. ‘The scandalous history behind King Henry VIII of England and his six wives comes to life in the racy series…’ Time wrote in its review.
![[Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Showtime/Everett/REX/Shutterstock (649612ag) 'The Tudors', Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII, Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn, (Season 1, ep. 5, aired April 29, 2007) 'The Tudors' TV series, Season 1 - 2007]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_236921027-50af.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘This is a solid and historically grounded drama that is dependably entertaining with performances often more riveting than the stories from which they arise,’ The Hollywood reporter declared. Meanwhile The New York Times went a step further: ‘Showtime’s glorious, gorgeous The Tudors is the best series since The Sopranos. Period.’.
Another season followed in 2008, with a third in 2009 and the fourth and final airing in 2010. All four seasons have recently been made available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, while also being available to watch on Channel 4’s streaming service too.
