Jude Law and Alicia Vikander join ‘Firebrand’ movie about Henry VIII’s final wife
Filming has commenced on a new movie about Katherine Parr.
Born in 1512, Parr became the last of King Henry VIII’s six wives in 1543.
She was Queen of England and Ireland from until Henry’s death in 1547, and was the final queen consort of the House of Tudor.
Parr herself had four husbands and remains England’s most-married queen. She died aged only 36 in 1548, a year after Henry VIII, due to complications of childbirth.
Alicia Vikander will lead the cast of Firebrand as Katherine Parr.
The 33-year-old Swedish star won an Academy Award for her role in The Danish Girl, and also appeared in The Green Knight, Tomb Raider, and Testament of Youth.
From the executive producer of The Dig, Philomena, and Stan & Ollie, the project was first announced last year with Oscar-nominated American actress Michelle Williams originally set to play Katherine Parr.
Production is now underway in England and the rest of the cast has been officially confirmed, with Jude Law (Fantastic Beasts) playing Henry VIII.
Erin Doherty (Princess Anne from The Crown) plays Anne Askew, and Simon Russell Beale (Operation Mincemeat) is appearing as Bishop Stephen Gardiner.
Sam Riley (Rebecca) and Eddie Marsan (Ridley Road) will play Thomas and Edward Seymour.
Other familiar faces for period drama fans include Ruby Bentall (Verity from Poldark) and Bryony Hannah (Cynthia from Call the Midwife), with Patsy Ferran (Darkest Hour) as Princess Mary.
There’s an amazing selection of talent on board, with the Oscar-winning hair and make-up designer of Elizabeth, Jenny Shircore, the Oscar-winning costume designer of The Duchess, Michael O’Connor, the BAFTA award-winning production designer of Small Axe, Helen Scott, and the casting director of The Power of The Dog, Nina Gold. written by Henrietta and Jessica Ashworth (Killing Eve).
Firebrand has been written by Henrietta and Jessica Ashworth, best known for their work on Killing Eve.
Their script is based on Elizabeth Fremantle’s Queen’s Gambit novel about Katherine Parr – not to be confused with Netflix’s chess drama The Queen’s Gambit!
Director Karim Aïnouz previously commented: “I could not be more excited to be bringing the undiscovered story of Katherine Parr to the screen, a ferociously brilliant woman who I am inspired by deeply and has been largely invisible, or certainly under-represented in English history.”
He added: “Much is known about Henry VIII’s tyrannical reign, and those who perished and suffered at his hands, but my focus here is on a woman who not only managed to survive, but also, to thrive.”
Firebrand is expected to be released in cinemas in late 2022 or early 2023.
Jude Law is currently starring in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, in cinemas now.
Elizabeth Fremantle’s Queen’s Gambit novel is available on Amazon.