Wolf Hall is the ideal middle ground between Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones

The terrific British historical drama, which premieres in the U.S. on Sunday, successfully translates Hilary Mantel's acclaimed novels for the small screen

Wolf Hall
(Image credit: (Courtesy of Giles Keyte/Playground & Company Pictures for MASTERPIECE/BBC))

Any American who hasn't taken a class on British history (or watched Showtime's soapy, half-forgotten The Tudors) might not be familiar with the historical events that comprise Masterpiece Theater's latest British period drama, Wolf Hall, as it arrives stateside. Wolf Hall is based on the terrific Man Booker-winning novel by Hilary Mantel (and its sequel, Bring Up the Bodies), which chronicles the court of Henry VIII through the eyes of his infamous adviser, Thomas Cromwell, a much-maligned historical figure who Mantel re-imagines as a pragmatic, ahead-of-his-time hero.

If you feel lost in the first 15 minutes of Wolf Hall's very strong premiere episode on Sunday, hang tough — you'll get there by the end. Once the story settles in, the complex chain of familial connections (and seemingly endless list of people named "Thomas") will start to feel like second nature. This era of television has trained audiences for sprawling period dramas like Wolf Hall, which combines the historical pull of Downton Abbey with the twisty political machinations of Game of Thrones.

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Scott Meslow

Scott Meslow is the entertainment editor for TheWeek.com. He has written about film and television at publications including The Atlantic, POLITICO Magazine, and Vulture.