---
title: "Wolf Hall: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/tv/wolf-hall/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/tv/wolf-hall"
critics_score: 89
critics_reviews: 7
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Wolf Hall (2015): what the critics said

Critics' score 89 from 7 reviews: 7 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative.

The critics are of one mind: seven reviews, all of them positive, and a score of 89. The praise clusters almost entirely on Mark Rylance’s Thomas Cromwell, described again and again as quiet, placid and the anchor of the whole series, with Claire Foy’s Anne Boleyn and the wider ensemble close behind. Most also admire Peter Kosminsky’s restraint: natural light, an unhurried pace, and a refusal of the usual Tudor titillation. Several find it unexpectedly funny.

The spread is narrow, and what reservations there are concern tempo. The Times, otherwise among the warmest, thinks the royal melodrama is slowed nearly to a standstill. Vulture, the most measured of the seven, finds some stiffness in the direction and is cooler on one of the lead performances than anyone else. Nobody thinks it fails; the only argument is whether the stillness is a virtue or an indulgence.

## The Times — Andrew Billen

Rating 5/5. 26 February 2015. 

The series provides a rarefied viewing experience like having a bath in champagne. It slows the royal melodrama to listlessness but delivers tremendous performances, especially from Claire Foy and Mark Rylance.

[Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/tv-review-wolf-hall-k3qcfvg8m2v)

## The Guardian

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 26 February 2015. 

The series is a six-week splendour with no weak links in the cast or flaws in direction and writing. The final episode's handling of Anne Boleyn's execution stands out as exceptional.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/feb/26/wolf-hall-review-an-ending-so-great-we-forgot-we-knew-it-was-coming)

## Variety — Brian Lowry

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 April 2015. 

The critic praises the series as a quiet, unromanticized Masterpiece anchored by Mark Rylance’s towering performance as Thomas Cromwell. It singles out the strong ensemble cast and the methodical pace that reveals the underlying treachery and politicking.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/2015/tv/reviews/tv-review-wolf-hall-1201458473/)

## The Hollywood Reporter — Keith Uhlich

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 April 2015. 

The critic calls the miniseries a terrific yarn about the British royals, highlighting the gripping behind-the-scenes political machinations and backstabbing. It singles out Mark Rylance’s placid yet compelling portrayal of Cromwell and the excellent supporting performances.

[Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/wolf-hall-tv-review-786455/)

## Vulture

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 3 April 2015. 

The critic calls Wolf Hall largely excellent prestige television with an unexpected sense of humor and admirable restraint that avoids excess. They single out the strong performances and psychology for praise while noting some stiffness in direction and one lead performance as minor complaints.

[Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2015/04/wolf-hall-tv-review.html)

## Collider — Allison Keene

Rating ★★★★★. 4 April 2015. 

The critic calls it a masterful series full of wit and intrigue, a showcase for Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell. They single out the understated, naturalistic filmmaking and direction by Peter Kosminsky that creates a pristine atmosphere through natural light and focus on the supporting players in the Tudor court.

[Read the review](https://collider.com/wolf-hall-review/)

## Den of Geek — Louisa Mellor

Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 21 January 2015. 

The critic finds Wolf Hall a splendid, well-cast and surprisingly modern political drama that stands out from other historical series for its rich texture and lack of cheap titillation. Praise goes to the nimble script, strong performances especially Mark Rylance's Cromwell, and the robust, sumptuous production design and direction.

[Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/wolf-hall-episode-1-review-three-card-trick/)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/wolf-hall.md