Disney Plus has recently unveiled the inaugural trailer for its forthcoming historical drama, “Shardlake,” featuring Sean Bean from Game of Thrones and Anthony Boyle from Masters of the Air, promising an enthralling experience.
Set against the backdrop of Tudor England during the tumultuous dissolution of the monasteries, the series orbits around Matthew Shardlake (portrayed by Arthur Hughes), a hunchbacked lawyer renowned for his unwavering commitment to justice. He serves under the shrewd Lord Thomas Cromwell (played by Bean), the right-hand man of Henry VIII, alongside his audacious assistant Jack Barak (embodied by Boyle).
The trailer commences with the church brethren confiding in Shardlake their apprehension towards both him and Cromwell, evoking an ominous atmosphere.
A glimpse of Bean in a sinister portrayal as the Lord further intensifies the intrigue. It swiftly transpires that a murder has been committed, compelling Cromwell to enlist Shardlake and Barak to delve into the investigation, embarking them on a gripping whodunit journey.
However, before their departure, Cromwell ominously remarks, “You will not fail me… the house must fall,” hinting at underlying complexities within the case.
Disney’s official synopsis outlines the narrative: “Shardlake’s tranquil existence as a lawyer is upended when Cromwell tasks him with probing the murder of one of his commissioners at a monastery in the secluded town of Scarnsea.
The commissioner’s inquiry aimed to shutter the monastery, and now, for Cromwell’s own political survival, it’s imperative that Shardlake not only unravels the murder but also closes down the monastery. Failure is simply not an option, as Cromwell vehemently emphasizes.
Shardlake is accompanied by Barak to Scarnsea, where they encounter monks enveloped in hostility, suspicion, and paranoia, determined to safeguard their order at any cost.”
Adapted from C.J. Sansom’s acclaimed book series, the four-part drama is directed by Justin Chadwick, renowned for his work on the 16th-century historical drama, “The Other Boleyn Girl,” starring Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn.
The stellar cast also features Babou Ceesay, Paul Kaye, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, Peter Firth, Matthew Steer, Irfan Shamji, David Pearse, Miles Barrow, Mike Noble, and Kimberley Nixon.
While a release date for “Shardlake” is yet to be announced, it will be available for streaming on Disney Plus upon its debut. For more updates, explore our guide to the finest upcoming TV shows.
