BBC Wolf Hall's new cast and why several key stars were replaced

Wolf Hall is making a triumphant return to our screens after a lengthy hiatus, with several key roles having been recast for the much-anticipated sequel. The second series - Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light - picks up after Anne Boleyn's execution.

But several stars from the first series won't return. Original star Jessica Raine will not feature, as well as Tom Holland and Bernard Hill.

Below we look at why the stars were replaced.

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Bernard Hill

Timothy Spall steps into the shoes of Bernard Hill as the Duke of Norfolk. Hill sadly died on May 5, 2024.

His final bow came with the second season of BBC drama The Responder, airing unexpectedly on the exact date of his death. Even though Hill was present during the initial stages of production for Wolf Hall's second series back in late 2023, his participation as the Duke of Norfolk was not confirmed, possibly due to health issues or other professional engagements.

Hill's illustrious career spanned numerous beloved film and TV roles, including his performances in Titanic, The Lord of the Rings trilogies, Boys from the Blackstuff, and a range of BBC adaptations of Shakespearean works.

Jessica Raine

Jessica Raine gave a memorable performance in the first season as Lady Jane Rochford – sister-in-law to Anne Boleyn. But for the second series she has been replaced by Lydia Leonard.

Fans of period drama may recognise the actor from Sally Wainwright's acclaimed – but prematurely cancelled – Gentleman Jack, where she appeared opposite Suranne Jones. Interestingly, this is not Leonard's first encounter with Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall saga, having previously played Anne Boleyn in the stage adaptation, Bring Up the Bodies, produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The actor is also known for portraying Cherie Blair in Netflix drama The Crown, plus earlier roles in Ten Percent, Absentia and festive romantic comedy Last Christmas. No official reason has been given for why Jessica Raine does not appear in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, but it was most likely down to a scheduling conflict.

The actor, who rose to fame on BBC One's Call the Midwife, is currently starring opposite Peter Capaldi in Prime Video's supernatural thriller The Devil's Hour – which may have kept her too busy to take on Wolf Hall too. In a recent interview with Radio Times magazine, Raine noted that she tends to avoid being locked into long-running roles due to getting "bored very quickly", so it's also possible that she may have chosen not to return.

Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer tonight (Sunday, November 10) at 9pm.