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'Tudors': Flashy Fiction Is Far From Fact

Historians balk at steamy soap, but fans aren't deterred

By Kate Rockwood,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 30, 2008 7:00 PM CDT
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(Newser) – In the battle of fact versus flair, it’s pretty obvious which side “The Tudors” comes down on. Showtime’s steamy period soap opera, which premiers its second season tonight, trades a chubby, tight-wearing Henry VIII for slim, sexy Jonathan Rhys Meyers. “It’s sloppy filmmaking,” one historian tells ABC News. “Not one female costume in there is correct for the period. It’s so off the mark it’s laughable.”

But the show’s creator, Michael Hirst, calls that “silly criticism.” “It’s not supposed to be history,” he says, citing his desire to create characters who felt relatable rather than remote to modern audiences. “As long as people aren’t wearing jeans or caftans, to me, that’s acceptable.” Nearly 1 million viewers agree with him and tuned in to last season’s premiere, more than three times Showtime’s average primetime audience.

Cast members of Tudors, a sexy Showtime series that drew nearly one million viewers with its premiere.
Cast members of "Tudors," a sexy Showtime series that drew nearly one million viewers with its premiere.   (AP Photo/Showtime)
Queen Mary, looking not quite as hot as in Showtime's period soap.
Queen Mary, looking not quite as hot as in Showtime's period soap.   (Archive Photos)
In this image released by Showtime, Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII and Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn are shown in a scene from Showtime's The Tudors.
In this image released by Showtime, Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII and Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn are shown in a scene from Showtime's "The Tudors".   (AP Photo/Showtime, Jonathan Hession)
The costumes may not be historically accurate, but they sure do catch your eye.
The costumes may not be historically accurate, but they sure do catch your eye.   (Showtime)
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Steamy 'Tudors' recaps to prep for the premiere
ABC News

 
Showtime • soap operas • history • sexy costumes • Jonathan Rhys Meyers • Anne Boleyn • Henry VIII • The Tudors • period drama

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