Stream the Boxset Now on My5

Channel 5’s new three-part psychological thriller Anne Boleyn follows Henry VIII’s most infamous wife in the fatal months before her execution in 1536, told from the perspective of Anne, played by the formidable Jodie Turner-Smith. The first episode premiered on Channel 5 on Tuesday 1st June and the full boxset is available to stream now on My5.

The entire production was filmed in Yorkshire at breath-taking locations, including Bolton Castle. It was one of the first major dramas to go into production using the new COVID safety filming protocols; Screen Yorkshire’s Film Office offered crewing and locations support to Fable Pictures throughout the shoot.

The location scouts were spoilt for choice when searching for screen doubles for Greenwich Palace and the Tower of London. Yorkshire has a wealth of heritage attractions, from castles to country manor houses, that date to the medieval period – some even have real-life connections with Henry VIII or Anne Boleyn’s daughter, Elizabeth I, who went on to rule England after Mary I in the mid 16th century.

Yorkshire was an absolute gift when it came to bringing 'Anne Boleyn' to the screen. In terms of finding the authentic historical locations needed to recreate Tudor England, we were genuinely spoilt for choice. Shooting a high-end period drama under the newly implemented lockdown restrictions felt like a daunting prospect, but it was reassuring to be able to lean on the help and expertise of Screen Yorkshire. As well as providing locations support, their film office helped us to recruit some brilliant local crew, who were vital to ensuring the shoot went without a hitch. I genuinely can't wait to return with another project.

Faye Ward, creative director and producer, Fable Pictures

Watch the trailer

Filming Locations

Anne Boleyn filmed exclusively in Yorkshire. Bolton Castle in Wensleydale played an important role, standing in for both scenes from Greenwich Palace and from the Tower of London. Markenfield Hall near Ripon also featured, along with nearby Ripley Castle, Fountains Hall at Fountains Abbey and Castle Howard.

West Yorkshire locations included Oakwell Hall and Harewood House, as well as the historical gems of East Riddlesden Hall and medieval St Michael’s Church in the village of Emley.

Filming at Oakwell Hall was with the support of our Filming Partners at Kirklees Council.

It was a pleasure to host the cast and crew of 'Anne Boleyn' at Bolton Castle and I look forward to watching the results on screen. Seeing the work that goes on behind the scenes on set design was eye-opening - and the careful collaboration of the production community ensured that the production could shoot safely during the pandemic. The income that we generate through hosting dramas like 'Anne Boleyn' helps us to maintain Bolton Castle for future generations and no doubt we will be welcoming more visitors in the future, keen to follow in the footsteps of the cast and crew.

Tom Orde-Powlett, Bolton Castle

Jodie Turner-Smith as Anne Boleyn. Image © Parisa Taghizadeh for Fable Pictures / Channel 5

Anne Boleyn is written by newcomer Eve Hedderwick Turner, and directed by Lynsey Miller (The Boy with the Top Knot, Deadwater Fell). BAFTA Nominated Fable Pictures produced Anne Boleyn, with Hannah Farrell and Faye Ward as Executive Producers. Historian Dan Jones joins them as an Executive Producer.

The stellar cast is led by Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen & Slim) as Anne Boleyn, with Mark Stanley (White House Farm, Game of Thrones) as Henry VIII. They are joined by Lola Petticrew (Dating Amber, Three Families) as Jane Seymour, Barry Ward (White Lines, Des) as Thomas Cromwell, Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You, Gangs of London) as George Boleyn, Thalissa Teixeira (Too Close, Trigonometry) as Madge Shelton and Jamael Westman (West End’s Hamilton) as Edward Seymour and Amanda Burton (White House Farm, Silent Witness) as Anne Shelton.

Anne Boleyn filmed in Yorkshire with the support of Screen Yorkshire’s Film Office. Get in touch to find out how we can help you film here.

Meet the crew behind the scenes on Anne Boleyn......

Lizzie Warham, Production Secretary