Homeland star Damian Lewis reveals how he prepared for BBC
Henry VIII role
The hotly-anticipated Tudor series has a stellar cast
Homeland star Damian Lewis is set to return to our TV screens next week as he plays the leading role of Henry VIII in BBC Two's Tudor drama, Wolf Hall.
Boasting an impressive cast list including Mark Rylance and Sherlock actor Mark Gatiss, the drama is one of the most eagerly anticipated shows of the new year.
Based on Hilary Mantel's novel of the same name, the six-part series will focus on King Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell's rise to power.
However, while the controversial monarch is famed for being obese in modern portraits, Damian argues he didn't gain any weight in preparation for the role because after researching the King, the actor discovered he only had a 32-inch waist.
'The truth is, though it might be an odd thing to mention, Henry had a 32 inch waist - and he remained that way for quite some time. He was the top sportsman in his court," Damian told Radio Times.
In fact, it appears Damian is hoping to change people's perceptions of Henry VIII, who has a reputation for being an unattractive tyrant largely due to his decision to have two of his six wives beheaded in the gallows.
Instead, the Homeland star hopes to highlight the athleticism and good looks Henry reportedly sported in his younger years.
'I think we all have an understanding that Henry was a womanising, syphilitic, bloated, genocidal Elvis character. But in the period I play him he had a 32in waist and was much taller than anyone else. His beautiful pale complexion was often remarked on," the actor explained
Boasting an impressive cast list including Mark Rylance and Sherlock actor Mark Gatiss, the drama is one of the most eagerly anticipated shows of the new year.
Based on Hilary Mantel's novel of the same name, the six-part series will focus on King Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell's rise to power.
However, while the controversial monarch is famed for being obese in modern portraits, Damian argues he didn't gain any weight in preparation for the role because after researching the King, the actor discovered he only had a 32-inch waist.
'The truth is, though it might be an odd thing to mention, Henry had a 32 inch waist - and he remained that way for quite some time. He was the top sportsman in his court," Damian told Radio Times.
In fact, it appears Damian is hoping to change people's perceptions of Henry VIII, who has a reputation for being an unattractive tyrant largely due to his decision to have two of his six wives beheaded in the gallows.
Instead, the Homeland star hopes to highlight the athleticism and good looks Henry reportedly sported in his younger years.
'I think we all have an understanding that Henry was a womanising, syphilitic, bloated, genocidal Elvis character. But in the period I play him he had a 32in waist and was much taller than anyone else. His beautiful pale complexion was often remarked on," the actor explained
Despite not altering his physical appearance, Damian did look back to his school days at Eton when getting into character.
"It think there's no question it helps having had the kind of schooling that I've had to play a king. Just the sort of court structures, hierarchies, the way they're set up. It's something I feel I implicitly understand," he revealed.
Wolf Hall debuts on BBC Two on January 21, at 9pm
"It think there's no question it helps having had the kind of schooling that I've had to play a king. Just the sort of court structures, hierarchies, the way they're set up. It's something I feel I implicitly understand," he revealed.
Wolf Hall debuts on BBC Two on January 21, at 9pm
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