WHAT’S NEW
THE BOLEYNS: A SCANDALOUS FAMILY
LEONARDO NEW SERIES!
Leonardo da Vinci was vegetarian long before it was in fashion. He also found himself playing a central role in quite a few murders that involved poisoning, and experienced his fair share of legal trouble. That is according to Leonardo, the eight-episode drama exploring the secrets and genius of da Vinci (Aidan Turner). Set against the backdrop of Renaissance Italy (and filmed in Rome), the series dives into da Vinci’s life, work and personal struggles while showcasing how he develops into an unparalleled genius and renowned polymath whose work overturned the established order. The series is positioned as a murder/mystery. Each episode is bookended with Stefano Giraldi (executive producer Freddie Highmore) questioning various people, including da Vinci, about the death of Caterina da 12
Cremona (Matilda De Angelis), a close friend of the artist. In between are flashbacks, beginning in Florence before moving to Milan, that trace da Vinci’s work as an apprentice, painter and sculptor, among other things. In addition Matilda De Angelis, Freddie Highmore and to murder, there is plenty of Aidan Turner intrigue, romance, betrayal and politics to keep things interesting. The scenery is striking and there are many spectacles to admire, including Leonardo’s attempt to impress Ludovico Sforza (James D’Arcy), Milanese nobility, with a lavish performance that is interrupted with a public execution. — Paul Doro Premieres on THE CW Tuesdays beginning Aug. 16
The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family: Credit: PBS
This three-part series from the BBC is a compelling period drama/historical documentary hybrid that combines reenactments and interviews with leading experts to tell the story of Britain’s famed Boleyn family. Narrated by actress Shelley Conn, the series focuses on the clan’s peak during the Tudor era when they rapidly reached prominence after Anne Boleyn (portrayed in the reenactments by Rafaëlle Cohen), daughter of ambitious Thomas Boleyn (Max Dowler), became the second wife and queen consort of Henry VIII — and mother to the future Queen Elizabeth I — in 1533. But the family just as quickly fell from power only three years later when Henry had Anne executed. “There’s a thin line between great ambition and lunacy,” Gareth Russell, one of the historians featured in The Boleyns, told the Daily Mail in an interview ahead of the series’ premiere in Britain last year. “To understand Anne’s rise and fall you need to know about her powerhungry family. They’re an extraordinary example of hubris and pain.” The series chronicles that rise and fall, a story of love, sex and betrayal that is told from the family’s unique perspective. Premieres on PBS Sundays beginning Aug. 28
Leonardo: Credit: The CW
NEW SERIES!
