What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedBring Up the Bodies
Hilary Mantel · Book · 2012
If you loved Bring Up the Bodies, start with Wolf Hall (Peter Straughan, 2015) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 films, 1 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Bring Up the Bodies across media.
If you loved Bring Up the Bodies, you are clearly drawn to the dangerous, high-stakes dance of political survival and calculated ambition.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Wolf Hall
Peter Straughan · Series · 2015
Films on the same thread
The Other Boleyn Girl
Film · 2008
Explores: Royal Intrigue, Sibling Rivalry, Political Ambition.
Like the cold maneuvering found in Bring Up the Bodies, this film captures the volatile environment of the Tudor court where family loyalty is secondary to royal favor.
A Man for All Seasons
Fred Zinnemann · Film · 1966
Explores: Religious Conflict, Moral Dilemma, Power vs. Principle.
This film mirrors the moral complexity of Bring Up the Bodies, focusing on the heavy price paid by individuals caught in the crosshairs of King Henry VIII’s ego.
The Crucible
Nicholas Hytner · Film · 1996
Explores: Religious Fanaticism, Mass Hysteria, False Accusations.
The devastating power of false accusations in this film echoes the lethal political traps set by Thomas Cromwell to orchestrate the downfall of his enemies in Bring Up the Bodies.
Skyfall
Sam Mendes · Film · 2012
Explores: Loyalty vs. Betrayal, Relevance in the Modern World, Past Sins.
While set in the modern day, this film captures the same tension of shifting loyalties and the fragile nature of authority found in the pages of Bring Up the Bodies.
Series on the same thread
Wolf Hall
Peter Straughan · Series · 2015
Explores: Royal Court Intrigue, Power Struggles, Ambition.
As the direct predecessor to Bring Up the Bodies, this series provides the essential context for the political maneuvering and desperate power struggles that define the Tudor era.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
This series offers a rigorous re-examination of power and history, much like the way Bring Up the Bodies forces you to reconsider the accepted narratives of the past.
Slow Burn
Slate Podcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Political scandal, Archival research, Cultural impact.
If you enjoyed the meticulous investigative focus of Bring Up the Bodies, you will appreciate how this series uncovers the hidden scandals and complex characters behind major historical events.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Should I read Wolf Hall before Bring Up the Bodies?
Yes, Bring Up the Bodies is the direct sequel to Wolf Hall. Reading Wolf Hall first provides the necessary background on Thomas Cromwell and the events leading up to the downfall of Anne Boleyn as depicted in the second book of Hilary Mantel's series.
Is Bring Up the Bodies the basis for a TV show?
Yes, Bring Up the Bodies is part of the source material for the television adaptation titled Wolf Hall. This BBC and PBS Masterpiece production features Mark Rylance in the role of Thomas Cromwell and covers the historical events portrayed in the narrative.
What is the historical focus of Bring Up the Bodies?
Bring Up the Bodies focuses on the downfall of Anne Boleyn. The narrative explores this pivotal moment in Tudor history, detailing the political maneuvering of Thomas Cromwell as he navigates the complex and dangerous court of King Henry VIII.
Did Hilary Mantel win an award for Bring Up the Bodies?
Hilary Mantel received the Man Booker Prize for Bring Up the Bodies. This recognition followed the success of the first book in the series, Wolf Hall, which was also a New York Times bestseller and established the author as a prominent voice in historical fiction.