Damian Lewis storms out of Wolf Hall interview as he’s quizzed on ‘un-wokeness’ of Henry VIII: ‘Reject that’

Actor Damian Lewis was questioned about the relevance of King Henry VIII and BBC series Wolf Hall, in which he stars as the well-known Tudor monarch, but he later made an early exit from the interview.

Wolf Hall: Mirror and Light is the second in the series which features Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell and Lewis, 53, as Henry VIII. After interpreting one question as being about “wokeness,” the actor didn’t hold back with his thoughts.

During a recent interview about the show, Lewis ended up walking out early after refusing to answer certain questions.

When quizzed about the character of Henry VIII, he began to discuss the “woke” nature of modern audiences as he replied: “Well, I think that someone as historically significant as Henry VIII will always remain significant.”

Speaking to Radio Times, he continued: “Unless your question is suggesting such an un-woke character as Henry VIII, shot through a sort of contemporary prism, should no longer be seen on TV? But I’d obviously have to reject that idea.”

Discussing taking on such a figure, Lewis also commented: “I enjoyed history very much. I enjoy the university of acting.”

He went on to state how the role opened an opportunity to “read extensively” about Tudor history.

“That is certainly partly what interests me about the roles I take,” he added.

However, when he was asked about his personal beliefs, Lewis refused to respond.

He soon told the publication: “I was very clear that I wasn’t doing any profiles and it’s starting to feel a bit like a profile, so I’m going to jump off.”

The BBC recently announced that Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light would be returning following Peter Kosminsky’s critically acclaimed Tudor-set 2015 series.

The second and final six-episode series adapts Hilary Mantel’s third Wolf Hall book, 2020’s The Mirror and Light.

Wolf Hall follows the rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell, who was an advisor to the monarch.

A BBC synopsis for the new series reads: “May, 1536. Anne Boleyn, Henry’s second wife, and five of her coterie are dead.

“As the axe drops, Thomas Cromwell emerges from the bloodbath to continue his climb to power and wealth, while his formidable master, Henry, settles to short-lived happiness with his third queen, Jane Seymour.

“Cromwell, a man with only his wits to rely on, has no great family to back him, and no private army.

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“Navigating the moral complexities that accompany the exercise of power in this brutal and bloody time, Cromwell is caught between his desire to do what is right and his instinct to survive.

“But in the wake of Henry VIII having executed his queen, no one is safe.”

Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light will hit screens BBC One on Sunday, November 10.