HBO Joins BBC’s New Tudor Drama ‘1536’ Based on the Hit West End Play

HBO and the BBC are officially joining forces for a new historical drama. The two companies will co-produce 1536, a six-episode series based on Ava Pickett’s acclaimed West End play. The project will bring the stage story to television while keeping its focus on the lives of ordinary women during one of the most famous periods in English history.

According to the official announcement, the series is set in Tudor England during the final months of King Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne Boleyn. Instead of following the royal court, the story centers on three working-class women whose lives are deeply affected by the decisions made by those in power.

The official description explains the show’s unique perspective. It reads: “A darkly comic and terrifyingly relevant story about friendship, sisterhood, and a changing world, ‘1536’ explores how the actions of a man in power changes the fate of working-class women on the edges of the country. It asks if a king can murder his queen, what does that mean for women elsewhere and how much have things really changed?”

For Pickett, bringing the story from the stage to television is a major milestone. She shared her excitement about working with both HBO and the BBC, while also praising the creative team behind the project.

“I’m so excited and thrilled to be working with HBO, the BBC and Drama Republic on ‘1536’ and feel very lucky to have them champion this story so fiercely,” Pickett said. “And to be collaborating with the brilliantly talented Molly Manners is a dream come true. I can’t wait to bring this story about power, patriarchy and friendship to a new audience.”

HBO also expressed confidence in the project. Francesca Orsi, the company’s Head of Drama, said the network was eager to help introduce the story to television audiences.

“We’re elated to partner with Ava Pickett and the BBC to bring her first television series to life. Ava is an immense talent, and we couldn’t be more excited and honored to work with her on transforming her singular vision of ‘1536’ from stage to screen,” Orsi said.

The BBC also welcomed the partnership. Lindsay Salt, the broadcaster’s Director of Drama, said the network is looking forward to working with HBO once again while bringing Pickett’s scripts to life.

“We are thrilled to be working once again with the HBO team and look forward to bringing Ava’s brilliantly bold scripts to life together with the team at Drama Republic. We can’t wait for viewers to see these funny, courageous, and iconic female characters on screen,” Salt said.

The series will be produced by Drama Republic, which is part of the Mediawan Group. Pickett will take on several key roles, serving as showrunner, writer, and executive producer. Directing duties will be handled by Molly Manners, whose previous credits include the acclaimed Netflix series One Day. Manners will also executive produce alongside Jude Liknaitzky, Roanna Benn, Rebecca de Souza, Chloe Beeson for Drama Republic, and Anna Ferguson for the BBC.

Although the Tudor period has inspired countless films and television series, 1536 promises a different approach by shifting the spotlight away from kings and queens and onto the ordinary women whose lives were shaped by the political chaos around them. With HBO and the BBC backing the project, the series is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated historical dramas currently in development.

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