I feel this is a safe space, so I’d like to confess something: I am reading nothing but historical fiction at the moment. And, by historical fiction, I specifically mean ‘stories about the Tudors’ – because, despite owning all of the Horrible Histories books as a kid, there is apparently no other period in history for me. Sorry not sorry.

Can you imagine how excited I was to learn, then, that a TV adaptation of CJ Sansom’s Matthew Shardlake series is coming to our screens in the not-so-distant future? Ridiculously excited. I may have even let out an unintentional squeak (tell no one). And, once I’ve told you all about it in breathless detail, you’ll undoubtedly feel the same.

So, without further ado…

What’s Shardlake about?

This four-part drama is based on the first novel in Sansom’s series, which means it’s an eerie whodunnit adventure set during the dissolution of the monasteries. Obviously.

Now, our eponymous Matthew Shardlake is a lawyer, living as comfortable a life as he can manage as a scoliosis sufferer in 16th century England. When a commissioner is found dead in the remote town of Scarnsea, though, everything changes – because that commissioner was gathering evidence to close the monastery, and on the orders of Thomas Cromwell, no less.

With Cromwell’s political (and, let’s face it, literal) survival now hanging in the balance, he orders Shardlake to launch an investigation, solve the murder and close the monastery. Failure is not an option. And, as if all that weren’t enough, Cromwell also insists that Shardlake be accompanied by the cocky, good-looking Jack Barak – who could be an innocent assistant, but could just as likely be one of Cromwell’s spies.

“At Scarnsea, the duo are met with hostility, suspicion and paranoia by the monks who fear for their future and will seemingly stop at nothing to preserve their order,” promises the synopsis.

Sold to the woman clutching a battered collection of Philippa Gregory novels!

Who stars in Shardlake?

The Innocents’ Arthur Hughes has been cast as Matthew Shardlake, a character who has been described as being “one of the few honest men in a world beset with scheming and plots”. 

Sean Bean, meanwhile, takes on the role of Thomas Cromwell, the dangerous and all-powerful right-hand man to Henry VIII. 

They are joined by:

• Anthony Boyle as Jack Barak
• Babou Ceesay as Brother Jerome
• Ruby Ashbourne Serkis as Alice
• Peter Firth as Norfolk
• Matthew Steer as Goodhap
• Brian Vernel as Brother Mortimus
• Irfan Shamji as Brother Guy
• David Pearse as Brother Edwig
• Miles Barrow as Brother Gabriel
• Mike Noble as Bugge
• Kimberley Nixon as Joan

Phew.

Who is working behind the scenes on Shardlake?

Adapted for the screen by The Last Kingdom’s Stephen Butchard, Shardlake is executive produced by George Ormond and Mark Pybus for The Forge, Stevie Lee for Runaway Fridge and Lee Mason for Disney+ EMEA. 

The Other Boleyn Girl’s Justin Chadwick is on board to direct the series, with John Griffin as producer.

What are people saying about Shardlake?

“Stephen and Justin’s vision for this chilling tale of murder, mystery and politics promises to thrill and delight, and joins a growing catalogue of unmissable original drama for adults on the service,” says Mason.

Butchard adds: “Writing Shardlake has been nothing short of a joy. CJ Sansom’s novels are incredibly rich in story, character and history; full of intrigue, excitement, cruelty and compassion – and at the centre of it all is Matthew Shardlake, a hero like no other. 

“Although these stories are set in Tudor England, the themes absolutely engage and resonate with today’s world. Hundreds of years may have passed – but humankind and what makes us tick has changed little.”

When and where can we watch Shardlake already?

Production has only just started on Shardlake, with filming taking place in Hungary, Austria and Romania. We imagine, then, that the four-part drama won’t be hitting Disney+ until next year at the very earliest.

As ever, though, we will keep you posted. Promise.

Images: Disney/BBC