MovieChat Forums > The Tudors (2007) Discussion > Best film/series about Katherine of Arag...

Best film/series about Katherine of Aragon?

posted 9 years ago by medoner
6 replies | jump to latest

..or portrayal rather.

I really thought Maria Doyle-Kennedy was excellent in The Tudors (and Anne Boleyn has always been my 'favorite' wife, so I was pleased to learn lots more about Katherine). I have recently purchased about all about Katherine of Aragon (by Alison Weir) actually.

I just wondered what other films or series feature her in a more accurate way? I've not seen Wolf Hall (though want to), I know she was in 3 episodes I believe.

I was just wondering if there is a more fully rounded aspect of her life i.e. not just when Henry was trying to divorce her to marry Anne

[–] Sumseth 9 years ago

The only series I've watched that features her is Isabel. Grown up Katherine (or Catalina, as we Spaniards say) is only in 4 episodes. The writers chose to focus a lot more on her sister Juana, as she was to be much more consequential in Spanish history and also had the whole "mad" legend to use as a dramatic device. I wished they had given Katherine more screentime, though; I quite enjoyed the actress performance.

I know she was also portrayed in the series Carlos Rey Emperador, but I have only watched bits of this show and have never seen that Katherine.

[–] KatharineFanatic 9 years ago

None.

Literally... none.

Every single movie or series sidelines her in favor of Anne, and makes her out to be an old, boring cast-off prude.

She has about ten minutes total in Wolf Hall.

I suspect this is because Anne is the "mother" of English Reform (... sigh) and so the anti-Catholic sentiments in England prevent much exploration of the Catholic monarchs (Mary is given similar treatment -- she's only used as a prop to make way for THE GREAT QUEEN ELIZABETH, WHO LIBERATED ENGLAND FROM DARKNESS).

She IS in "Isabel" for a bit, and has a few scenes in "Carlos Rey Emperador." I'm dying to see that but... no English subtitles yet. :P

[–] Sumseth 9 years ago

It's so unfair that they always portray her that way in English-speaking productions, I didn't know that. Her courage and dignity after all the humiliations she had to endure make her a quite remarkable figure, in my opinion. But I think you are right about Anne and the Reform being the reason for such misjudgement.

Probably Dramafever will have "Carlos" with English subtitles at some point. I must say this series didn't captivate me the way "Isabel" did, which is way I only watched some bits while it aired here.

[–] KatharineFanatic 9 years ago

Yes, it is unfair.

There are a few fiction novels out there about her, but none I've really fallen in love with yet.

I hope DramaFever hurries up, although in truth, I'm really only interested in the English subplot. It's nice to see a light-haired KoA for once. ;)

[–] Sumseth 9 years ago

I agree!! I am glad the Isabel team took the casting task seriously and picked light-haired actors for certain roles. Not only within the Trastámara family, but for example, Philip the Handsome. A much better casting choice than that from the movie "Juana la Loca", in my opinion.

[–] louiseculmer 9 years ago

the episode about her in the old BBC series The six Wives of Henry VIII is very good.