Disney Plus’ much-anticipated period mystery drama ‘Shardlake’ premieres on the streaming giant worldwide on 1st May, 2024. The 4-part series will arrive in India on Disney Plus Hotstar on the same day, along with its US release.
Disney Plus series ‘Shardlake’ is an adaptation of C. J. Sansom’s series of historical mystery novels, set in the reign of Henry VIII in the 16th century. The series follows barrister Matthew Shardlake, who solves crime and tries to avoid getting caught up in political intrigue. Arthur Hughes stars as Matthew Shardlake in the series. Game Of Thrones star Sean Bean plays Thomas Cromwell, who was the Chief Minister of Henry VIII.
The series is adapted by Stephen Butchard and directed by Justin Chadwick. The story of Disney Plus’ Shardlake is set during the time of dissolution of the monasteries in the Tudor era, when Matthew Shardlake is sent by Thomas Cromwell to investigate the death of a commissioner in the remote town of Scarnsea.
Disney Plus’ Shardlake series is adapted from C. J. Sansom’s first novel in the Matthew Shardlake Series, titled ‘Dissolution’. There are six more novels in the series, ample material for Disney Plus to adapt for further seasons, if the streamer so desires.
Besides Arthur Hughes and Sean Bean, the cast of Shardlake includes Irfan Shamji, David Pearse, Miles Barrow, Mike Noble, Kimberley Nixon, Babou Ceesay, Paul Kaye, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, Peter Firth, Matthew Steer, Brian Vernel and Joe Barber, among others.
Multiple attempts have been made to adapt C. J. Sansom’s Shardlake novels into a movie or show since 2003. First producer Stevie Lee planned to make a film on Dissolution with Kenneth Branagh. In 2007, the BBC optioned the adaptation of Dissolution, with Kenneth Branagh still attached to star as Shardlake. The adaptation never materialised, of course, which finally led to this Disney Plus version of Shardlake.
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