Jonathan Rhys Meyers to star as Henry XIII

The BBC is to broadcast a 10-part drama, The Tudors, starring Bend It Like Beckham actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry XIII. The lavish American production, which has already been a ratings-winner in the US, will centre on the early life of Henry VIII and his close coterie of advisers, minions and lovers. It focuses on the rampant life of Henry VIII during his late 20s and early 30s, when he was still married to the first of his six wives, Catherine of Aragon, played by Irish actress Maria Doyle Kennedy. He was also pursuing Anne Boleyn, who would become his second wife before getting executed, and other pretty faces that caught his wandering eye. Boleyn is played in the series, to be screen on BBC Two this autumn, by English star Natalie Dormer, while Sam Neill will play Cardinal Wolsey. Shot on location in Ireland, it also features Jeremy Northam as Sir Thomas More and Peter O'Toole's daughter Kate as Lady Salisbury. BBC boss Sue Deeks said: "The Tudors is a lavish, highly entertaining and addictive historical drama which takes a fresh look at Henry VIII. "Jonathan Rhys Meyers' sexy and vital monarch completely dispels the image of the older, overweight and infirm ruler. "I know that BBC viewers will really enjoy this contemporary take on the Tudor dynasty." The series has been co-produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner from Working Title, famous for the likes of Bridget Jones's Diary and Love, Actually.