If you loved
Wolf Hall
Peter Straughan · Series · 2015
What hooked you in Wolf Hall was the way the cold, high-stakes maneuvering of power becomes deeply, claustrophobically personal.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
Bring Up the Bodies
Hilary Mantel · Book · 2012
Explores: Machiavellian politics, Court intrigue, Rise and fall of power.
Continue the narrative arc of Thomas Cromwell with this sequel to Wolf Hall, which maintains the same sharp focus on Machiavellian politics and the high cost of royal favor.
The Mirror & the Light
Hilary Mantel · Book · 2021
Explores: Political Intrigue, Power Dynamics, Social Mobility.
Complete your journey through the Tudor era by finishing the trilogy that began with Wolf Hall, further exploring the intricate power dynamics and social mobility of Cromwell's life.
Films on the same thread
The Other Boleyn Girl
Film · 2008
Shares a thread with Wolf Hall: Period Drama.
If you enjoyed the court intrigue of Wolf Hall, this perspective on the Boleyn family provides a different, equally cutthroat look at the same historical period of royal ambition.
The King
David Michôd · Film · 2019
Shares a thread with Wolf Hall: Historical Drama.
Like Wolf Hall, this film examines the crushing weight of the crown and the moral ambiguity inherent in ruling, focusing on the reluctant transition of a young king.
A Man for All Seasons
Fred Zinnemann · Film · 1966
Shares 3 threads with Wolf Hall: Religious Conflict, Historical Drama, Political Drama.
This classic provides a necessary counterpoint to Wolf Hall, pitting the same political machinations against a rigid moral dilemma that tests the integrity of those within the court.
Podcasts on the same thread
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2025
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
For listeners who appreciated the analytical rigor of Wolf Hall, this podcast offers a similarly deep, thoughtful exploration of the human nature and power consequences behind historical events.
The Preamble
Sharon McMahon · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Critical thinking, Media literacy, Civic engagement.
If the political maneuvering in Wolf Hall intrigued you, this show applies that same critical thinking and desire for clarity to the complex systems shaping our own modern world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I read the books related to Wolf Hall?
The television series Wolf Hall is based on the literary trilogy by Hilary Mantel. You should begin with the first novel, Wolf Hall, and follow it with the second book in the series, Bring Up the Bodies, to continue the story of Thomas Cromwell.
Is Wolf Hall based on a true historical period?
Yes, Wolf Hall is set in England during the 1520s. The narrative focuses on the political instability surrounding King Henry VIII and his desire to annul his marriage to secure a male heir, a historical crisis that Thomas Cromwell navigates as a central figure.
How long is the Wolf Hall television series?
The television adaptation of Wolf Hall, written by Peter Straughan, covers the complex political landscape of 1520s England. It depicts the rise of Thomas Cromwell as he manages the King's impasse with the Pope and the potential threat of civil war if no male heir is produced.
Should I read Bring Up the Bodies after watching Wolf Hall?
If you enjoyed the portrayal of Thomas Cromwell in the Wolf Hall television series, reading Bring Up the Bodies is the logical next step. This source material continues the narrative established in the first part of the series, detailing the subsequent events in the life of Cromwell.