The first episode of The Tudors, the glossy drama featuring the rampant early life of a “sexy” King Henry VIII, pulled in 3.2 million viewers, the BBC said. The broadcaster said it was “delighted” with the numbers catching last night’s BBC2 show, which takes a fresh look at the dynasty, replacing a bitter and bloated king with a fit and handsome one.
On BBC1, A Bucket O’ French and Saunders was watched by 2.8 million viewers, while the series return for the award-winning Ugly Betty on Channel 4 won 2.4 million.
ITV1’s gritty drama Rebus beat the other three shows though, with 4.3 million tuning in. The Tudors focuses on the king’s close coterie of advisers, minions and lovers.
It was shot on location in Ireland with a largely British cast, including Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry and Jeremy Northam as Thomas More. The BBC’s website explains: “The Tudors focuses on Henry’s rampant life during his late 20s/early 30s whilst he was still married to his first queen Katherine of Aragon whilst pursuing Anne Boleyn and every other pretty face that caught his wandering eye.
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