Jonathan Coy stars as the much-married King in this unreliable Tudor history

From his tiny room at Hampton Court, the royal chronicler records the comings and goings of the King of England, his six Queens—and his six mothers-in-law. Introducing us to these redoubtable ladies, he relates the surprising part they played in the destiny of Henry VIII and his unfortunate wives.

We meet Catherine of Aragon's duenna, Dona Elvira, whose introduction of paella, flamenco and bullfighting to his home leads Henry to seek his pleasures elsewhere; Lady Boleyn, whose gentleman admirer threatens danger for her daughter Anne; and Lady Margaret, whose attempt to overturn hundreds of years of tradition leads to a dramatic confrontation. There's also meddling matriarch Mrs Loew, whose devious dealmaking costs Henry dear; good-time grandmother Duchess Agnes, who encourages Catherine Howard to play the field—and neglect her husband; and Catherine Parr's mother, whose impact on the King's court will be life-changing for Henry—and for his Chancellor, Thomas Cromwell...

Created by Barry Grossman (The Attractive Young Rabbi), this tongue-in-cheek historical spoof stars Jonathan Coy as King Henry VIII, with a star cast including Carla Mendonça, Lydia Leonard, Jasmine Hyde, Marcia Warren and Geoffrey McGivern.

Production credits

Created and written by Barry Grossman

Episode 3 written by Jim Eldridge and Episode 4 by Rene Basilico

Produced by John Fawcett Wilson

Music composed by Jim Parker

Cast

Henry VIII - Jonathan Coy

Thomas Cromwell - Milton Johns

Chronicler - Alfred Burke

Catherine of Aragon - Carla Mendonça

Dona Elvira - Sheila Steafel

Wolsey - John Rowe

Pope - Stephen Greif

Lady Boleyn - Diane Fletcher

Anne Boleyn - Lydia Leonard

Maurice Crumb - David Holt

Jane Seymour - Jasmine Hyde

Lady Margaret - Eve Matheson

Sir John - John Webb

Antonio - Jonathan Kydd

Anne of Cleves - Sasha Pick

Mrs Loew - Aletta Lawson

Court fool - Chris Emmett

Hans Holbein/Sir Richard - Peter van Dissel

Catherine Howard - Helen Longworth

Duchess Agnes - Marcia Warren

William of Winchelsea - Geoffrey McGivern

Simon of Southwark - Gyuri Sarossi

Catherine Parr - Rachel Atkins

Mother - Sally Grace

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 17 November-22 December 2003