If you loved
Wolf Hall
Hilary Mantel · Book · 2021
If Wolf Hall hooked you, it is because you are fascinated by the brutal, high-stakes game of power and calculated political survival.
Start with the source
The source
Wolf Hall
Peter Straughan · Series · 2015
Films on the same thread
The Wolf of Wall Street
Film · 2013
Explores: Greed, Excess, Corruption.
Much like the ruthless social climbing in Wolf Hall, this story tracks a man whose unchecked ambition and corruption drive his rise through a cutthroat world of elite institutions.
Wolfwalkers
Film · 2020
Explores: Nature vs Civilization, Friendship, Transformation.
While shifting to folklore, this mirrors the tension in Wolf Hall between the rigid, established order of the state and the dangerous, transformative power of those living outside it.
GoodFellas
Martin Scorsese · Film · 1990
Explores: Organized Crime, Loyalty and Betrayal, American Dream Corruption.
The rise and fall of figures within a closed, dangerous hierarchy will feel familiar to anyone who followed Thomas Cromwell’s treacherous path through the Tudor court in Wolf Hall.
The Housemaid
Paul Feig · Film · 2025
Explores: Class Conflict, Gaslighting, Identity Theft.
This domestic thriller captures the same psychological intensity as Wolf Hall, focusing on the volatile power dynamics and hidden secrets that define life within a wealthy, influential household.
Series on the same thread
The Tudors
Michael Hirst · Series · 2007
Shares a thread with Wolf Hall: Historical Fiction.
If you enjoyed the historical immersion of Wolf Hall, this series offers a direct look at the same court politics and lust for power that defined Henry VIII’s reign.
House of Cards
Beau Willimon · Series · 2013
Shares 2 threads with Wolf Hall: Power, Ambition.
Frank Underwood’s cold, calculated manipulation of the political machine is a modern reflection of the same ambition and survival instinct that propelled Thomas Cromwell throughout Wolf Hall.
The Man in the High Castle
Frank Spotnitz · Series · 2015
Explores: Totalitarianism, Resistance, Moral Ambiguity.
The atmosphere of moral ambiguity and the struggle to survive under a totalitarian regime echo the high-stakes political tension and constant threat of execution found in Wolf Hall.
Versailles
David Wolstencroft · Series · 2015
Shares a thread with Wolf Hall: Ambition.
This exploration of Louis XIV’s court provides a perfect companion to Wolf Hall, detailing the intricate web of betrayal and power struggles required to consolidate a monarch's absolute authority.
Podcasts on the same thread
Bag Man
Rachel Maddow, MS NOW · Podcast · 2023
Explores: corruption, political scandal, accountability.
Just as Wolf Hall exposes the corruption behind the throne, this investigation reveals how systemic failure and political scandal allow those in power to operate with complete impunity.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2025
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
Those who appreciated the historical analysis of the Tudor era in Wolf Hall will value this deep dive into the moral ambiguity and consequences of power throughout human history.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I read the Wolf Hall trilogy in?
The Wolf Hall trilogy begins with the novel Wolf Hall, followed by the second installment, and concludes with the New York Times bestselling third book, The Mirror & the Light. Reading these in order is recommended to follow the narrative arc of Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII.
Is Wolf Hall a standalone book?
Wolf Hall is not a standalone book. It is the first novel in a magnificent trilogy written by Hilary Mantel. The story continues through two subsequent books, culminating in the final volume, The Mirror & the Light, which completes the historical narrative of Thomas Cromwell.
How can I watch the adaptation of Wolf Hall?
The television adaptation of Wolf Hall was released in 2015. It serves as a visual representation of the events depicted in Hilary Mantel’s novel. You can search for the 2015 series on major streaming platforms or digital retailers to view the screen version of this historical story.
Did the book Wolf Hall win any awards?
Yes, the book Wolf Hall received significant critical acclaim. It was the winner of the 2009 Man Booker Prize and also won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction. These accolades recognize the quality of Mantel's writing in this first volume of her Thomas Cromwell trilogy.