The Other Boleyn Girl - Is it accurate? 

Claire: when reading the Other Boleyn Girl “we need to take a pinch of salt” Me: When reading Philippa Gregory we need to take the whole spice rack.

Hopefully you do a video about how accurate “The Tudors” was about Anne Boleyn and whatnot!

Anne and Mary were sisters; George was their brother - I think that's where fact ends and fantasy begins.

Philippa Gregory's novel is akin to those films with the heart-wrenching scenes of Mary of Scotland pleading with Elizabeth I. It's good drama although the two women never met.

I’d love to see more of these done. Hollywood tends to take too many liberties with history

Perhaps a better title might have been “A Load of Tudor Poppycock”. The movie was strictly for entertainment. Thank you for clearing up this mess!

I love reading historical fiction and it usually sparks my interest to research more about the real story.

Thanks, Claire for distinguishing between fiction, focused on entertainment and seeking out historical accuracy. Personally, I prefer historical accuracy because I think the truth is stranger and more entertaining than fiction.

The operative word is "novel", not "biography".

I always thought that the doctors and astrologers were right in saying that Anne was to have a boy when she was pregnant with Elizabeth. She did turn out to be the monarch England needed, a role that a boy was expected to fill.

Two videos in one day! We’re being spoilt! Historical fiction is great, we as readers just need to remember that it is indeed fiction, with a dash of reality, not the other way around. Another great video Claire, thank you.

Hmm, could you do this for "The Tudors" and Natalie Dormer's version of Anne Boleyn?

OMG almost an hour about Anne Boleyn!! Yesss!! Thank you so much Claire! I always love to hear what you think about Anne's life and how she was.

If people are reading Historical FICTION, what part of the word FICTION don't they understand? Why do they need it explained to them? Writers and film makers use their poetic license all the time. Why would anyone mistake it for fact? I'm beginning to think we are living in a world where people can no longer tell the difference between reality and make believe.

I cant stand Philippa Gregory's books. She makes the Boleyns sound like the Kardashians.

Short answer: no

Claire thank you so much for the shout out to Riley. She was so thrilled when she heard it. We just came back from an 18 day adventure to England and Scotland and Riley is eager to see all the photos we took there. Just a beautiful place. Thank you for all your videos just love watching them!

Claire, do you have a compilation on Henry VIII's mistresses? I have seen a couple pop up in my stream, but I really doubted the authenticity. Thank you, you have helped educate me some more.🤗

I’m so thankful to you for bringing the facts about the “incest” charges against her and her family. I turned the movie off when she decided to malign a female character that she tries to claim she champions. The facts that she twists words and creates imaginary thoughts to back up her arguments is sickening.

I liked The Other Boleyn Girl. I get caught up in the period settings and costumes but I've learned that when history is written as historical fiction, facts are usually embellished or distorted for entertainment.

Since I've become more of a skeptic in general, I no longer enjoy historical fiction about a real person. The inaccuracies bother me too much to enjoy the story.

I always learn something in your videos. Thank you for your scholarship and passion. You referred to the expression, "Take it with a grain of salt." A dear friend of mine always referred to gross exaggerations with, "Take it with a salt sandwich!" Thanks again!

Thanks Claire! So enjoyed this. Historical fictions have sparked my interest in so many different directions- but I’ve never enjoyed Phillipa Gregory. Her male characters are the very worst of humanity. If a man wrote women that way, he’d be laughed out of town. IMO.

I’ve always said the Philippa Gregory does not write historical fiction but historical fanfiction. The people she often writes about are so out of character. The fun part about historical fiction is that you fill in the blanks that history has left open. But with PG she takes historical figures and manipulates them into these archetypes that are so shrewish or weak. Her wruting has so much internalized misogyny. And yet she claims to be a feminist! She made Anne Boleyn a one dimensional villain! I’ve seen interviews and the way that Philippa Gregory talks about Anne Boleyn...you would think that Philippa Gregory went back in a time machine talk to Anne Boleyn and was wronged by her in someway. It’s so strange how she hates her characters so much as if they’ve personally wronged her.

You'd need to do a whole series of vids on inaccuracies in "The Spanish Princess." That one darn near drove me to distraction, what very few scenes I've seen from it.

I absolutely LOVED that book! It actually got me interested in history, especially Tudor history, to the point where I pursued a teaching degree. I remember seeing the movie when it came out with my then boyfriend, who was also a huge history buff and while I was thoroughly enjoying the drama before me he is getting more and more irritated because of all the inaccuracies. The most irritating of which, apparently, was the fact that a simple house in the countryside had glass windows. We spent the whole drive home talking about how glass would not have been affordable to anyone besides high nobility. I would put the movie on to annoy him sometimes :)

I haven't read the book yet but I checked out of the movie when Anne begs her brother to sleep with her so he can get her pregnant. SMH

I really lose patience with historical fiction. The truth is vastly more interesting to me.

Many years ago (like 35 or more) I read a book by Phillipa Gregory called Meridian (set in the 1800's)that I found at my local library. An interesting story I really enjoyed about a girl rumored to be from nobility but raised by gypsies. There were hints about something dark about her parentage as to why she ended up with the gypsies but nothing explained really. A year or 2 later I joined Doubleday book club and in it I discovered Meridian was the 3rd book of a trilogy (Wideacre)so I ordered the first 2. OMG not only were her parents siblings but her grandparents were brother and sister. So repulsive. So the Other Boleyn Girl was not her first novel about incest.

Ah, yes. Anne Boleyn is very much interesting. So are the other Queens, but from a 'poll' I put on Wattpad, everyone loves Anne Boleyn more.

My reaction upon just reading the title: No. The movie shows Mary at court, at Anne's execution, walking off with Elizabeth. LOL what? Never happened.

Thanks so much for this Claire. Thoroughly enjoyed this, and your knowledge is, as always, breathtaking. There is no substitute for fact, and the facts about Mary Boleyn could be written on a stamp. I enjoy Philippa Gregory's books (some more than others) mainly because her style is very accessible and they are real pageturners (the curses in The White Queen series are a good example of harmless and compulsively entertaining reading). But I never forget they are fiction and intended to entertain. It is so irritating when novelists assert that their work is historically accurate (Mantel's seem to be well researched although often difficult to read). Gregory's liberties are as nothing compared to a trilogy of historical conspiracy novels I have just been reading about Catherine Howard, her survival of her execution (it was someone else executed in her place), giving birth to Henry's twins in secret (as Henry had gone mad - this part not too unbelievable!) with the help of Anne of Cleves, and the daughter eventually (through a baby substitution) becoming Mary Queen of Scots!!! (who died just before her execution, so they beheaded her dead body). All laugh out loud, unless taken seriously by the uninformed reader, which, I garee, is always the danger. Keep on going Claire - your work is much appreciated!

The Other Boleyn Girl started my passion for the Tudors so i'm glad I read it.

I love "The Other Boleyn Girl" (probably because Mary Boleyn is actually a multiple great grandmother of mine) but I always treat it as a novel.

I have tried to read some of her novels, but I just can't. They irritate me SO much. Especially "The Other Boleyn Girl". And the movie is just awful. The way Anne is portrayed really frustrates me. I've often wondered why she even writes about these women, because it seems like, to me at least, that she doesn't even like them. They're portrayed as conniving, manipulate, bitter shrews instead of strong, intelligent women. While I know they weren't perfect, they certainly weren't all harpies either. What really bothers me about her writing is that she presents herself as an expert and historian, which is very misleading to her readers. She writes fiction, for Pete's sake. While I do enjoy good historical fiction, and like the fact that it piques the interest of readers, and leads them to delve further into the subject, I don't like writers who take wild liberties, and represent themselves as experts on the subject. On another note, I do so enjoy your work, and all the research, time and energy you put into it! My mom started reading some of Gregory's work, after watching the shows on Starz based on her work, and became fascinated by all things Tudor, and now I have her reading my copies of your books that I recently purchased, and she's enjoying them as much as I did! Thank you for sharing your passion for Anne, and all things Tudor with us! We appreciate all that you do!

I'll admit even though I don't like the way Philippa Gregory wrote Anne or Elizabeth her books are entertaining in a way .

I wonder if in 1536 Percy would have said yes we were bethroed, if Cromwell could have made Annes marriage to the King invalid and her life could have been saved.

Can you do Wolf Hall? It was so well-written, but the inaccuracies make you cringe.

Even though The Tudors isn’t the most accurate show on the planet, I adored Anne’s relationship with Elizabeth. The scene where she and young Elizabeth are looking at the fish in the fountain is so adorable, it’s very sweet.

Thanks, thanks a lot for this video! I loved it. I will never understand why a story so extraordinary as Anne Boleyn's life is (born in a modest family, educated in Flanders and Paris, crowned Queen of England and all thanks to her uncomm intelligence and charm) has to be rearrange and changed. It's a general habit (Catherine of Aragon was not a brunette, Elisabeth of York was not a kind of Samantha Jones of the 15 century) but really the Other Boleyn Girl was simply a fictional story based on history. If I may add, it seems that Francis the first not only said that about Mary boleyn but he added that she was a mare that he and his courtisans very much enjoyed to ride. Sorry very brutal for our time, but very normal at the time for a king.

When has Hollywood ever let the truth get in the way of a good story?

Golllllly! (as Gomer Pyle would have said) All that and nobody in the novel was a lesbian???? That seems to be the number one thing in history revisionism. There has to be at least one lesbian. I have Julia Fox's book on Jane Boleyn because Claire recommended it. It is a really good book and maybe the best source to learn all we can about Jane Boleyn. What most of us have a hard time understanding about Tudor times is that people, especially nobles, had much less freedom than we do today. What little freedom there was was restricted by religion and legal strictures. Many times, why people did what they did, has to do with ancient twists in law that we cannot begin to imagine today. I think Jane's apparent actions can be clearly understood in the correct context.

I love that movie. Inaccurate as it may be.😂😁

Aaaah! This is my favorite subject!. Thank you so much for some historical facts! Thanks for being Switzerland in the torrid world of Tudor geography. 😀😁😁 p.s. It is quite easy to create juicy TV worth drama by painting people; long dead and unable to defend their reputations, any lurid colour that one might like. It is a much more difficult task to speak out for their true lives, which must be gleaned from between the lines of hundreds of miles of ink on paper. Thank you so much for being their champion Claire.🚩🏵️🚩🏵️🚩

Something that I was annoyed by was how they portrayed Henry VIII raping Anne in the film version! There is no historical evidence to support that actually happening

Here's my thing with fictionalizing historical figures -- at what point does the "fictionalization" become disrespectful and ultimately unacceptable? These were people, and people shouldn't be defamed whether they're living or dead.

My interest in the Tudors started with “Anne of a Thousand Days” ; I saw that film when I was 14, and then started reading historical fiction novels by Jean Plaidy such as Murder Most Royal which was about Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. However, researching the actual historical events is far more intriguing. I don’t know why film makers distort history so much!!! I saw this film, but I was annoyed. At least the costumes were beautiful to look at.

I think Philippa Gregory had a nasty little agenda when she wrote 'The Other Boleyn Girl'. Gregory obviously hates, indeed despises, Anne Boleyn and seems to have wanted to destroy her in fiction. What is astonishing is that Gregory appeared to have used pseudo-history and scurrilous so-called 'evidence' to support her depiction of Anne. It's not even well written. It's one of the only books that I threw away as soon as I finished it. Treating it 'just as fiction' is OK for those of us who have actually studied the history. But for those who have not, TOBG is a really, really, really bad book to read.

That scene at the end of the movie drove me bonkers! More so than the other inaccuracies

I wish i was sitting in that room with you. I dont know why. I just want to pet your cat, look thru your books and talk Tudors into the night with a hot cup of joe. ( or tea) ❤

The thing that annoys me so much about Phillippa Gregory novels is that people quote what was in her books like it is actual history. So really annoying

Thanks, Claire, for a very lively, funny ("Ewww") and interesting account of the fictional aspects of The Other Boleyn Girl. You didn't have to convince me, since I haven't read the book or seen the film! The Tudors are crazy enough without having to fictionalize them, but Phillipa sells books, so... Oh, I got my On this Day long-sleeved t-shirt in the mail today--I love it!

When this book came out my first thought was, "Oh, that sounds interesting!" but when I started to hear how inaccurate it is I decided to give it a miss. After hearing all this I am glad I did! I understand about historical fiction having to infer a lot of things, but IMO if an author is going to change so much that is factual the setting, names, details in general should be changed to make clear the difference between fact and fiction. But of course the writer wants to have the advantage of the instant interest Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn awake in the reading public. I have little respect for a writer who twists facts so violently. Historical truth is difficult enough to find without making more confusion.

American woman here, coming over to Claire for all the tea after seeing “Other Boleyn Girl.”

Philippa Gregory would make a great soap opera screen writer. Just my humble opinion.

"My brother doesn't spring to mind as someone who can help me out with that" YOUR LOOK! I'm cracking up

Claire, there is a scene where Henry forces himself upon Anne. Do you even remotely think that happened? That scene made me very uneasy. Thanks 😊

I loved the Other Boylen Girl, the book, not the movie. I had no interest in that particular time in history until i read that book. In the back of the book she listed a lot of historical books written by historians, david starkey, allison weir, etc. I read a lot of them and my interest in this period has never waned. I still read everything i can about Anne. I just read a historical fiction book about the French Revolution and i am immersed in that. Historical fiction can spark an interest in so many things that you never knew you'd find interesting.

People are always saying “I’m so glad I grew up before social media so my dirty laundry isn’t everywhere” but it’s hundreds of years later and we’ve got this record of who people were sleeping with and arguably Henry is most famous for all this stuff as opposed to any political or military achievements.

I would love to know what you think of Alison Weir's work? I have not read her books but have been recommend them. I would like to say in defence of Philippa Gregory she has a compelling style of writting. Though historically inaccurate, her books are very emotive. I particularly enjoyed Three Sisters, Three Queens. As I have studied history myself I know to pile on the salt with these kinds of stories and so I tend to set them apart somewhat from from the inspired people/events and take them for what they are, fiction for entertainment. In saying that I do get frustrated when people put more stock in them and use it as a spring board for their argument.

I barked a laugh so abrupt at the title, it made both of my cats jump! 😆 I will watch anything with Eric Bana at least once, though.

I was appalled by the scene in the movie wherein King Henry, tiring of Anne's withholding her favors, roughly grabs her and rapes her. I've never seen any evidence of Henry's rough handling of Anne in this manner.

You keep saying there’s no evidence for this or that, but there wouldn’t be, would there. It’s not like people carved “I was a homosexual” on their tombstone. I agree that much of the popular story is probably fantasy for the drama, but you just never know what the real story was. Anne was most likely not the vixen portrayed in the movie, but I bet she was an intelligent woman who knew what she was doing. Did she plan from the beginning to trap Henry into marriage? No. Did it evolve into that? Yeah, probably. Did she love him? I hope so.

Philippa Gregory made a career of gleefully slandering Anne and Elizabeth with Kardashian-cheap imaginings, ofc only the names were real, the rest was BS.

I’d love to see one of these for the “Tudors!”

Thanks for another interesting and thoughtful analysis. I’m not a huge fan of Phillipa Gregory’s novels. I think it’s very possible to write an interesting novel that is also historically accurate, and her distortions and sensationalism, if anything, diminish the appeal of her books. There is plenty of room for character development, plot additions, dialogue, and other fictional elements within the known historical framework. The actual persons and events of this period (and many others) are so fascinating that, as it is said, “one couldn’t make this stuff up if they tried”.

The premise of Phillipa Gregory's "The Other Boleyn Girl" was "what if there WAS some sort of basis of truth to the charges against Anne Boleyn? How would that have played out? What sort of people would act that way and what would motivate them to do so?" The historical consensus is that the charges against Anne and George Boleyn were baseless and contrived so as to give the king the grounds to execute Anne. Then he could marry Jane Seymour and their children would have no shadow of illegitimacy over them cast by a still-living ex-wife. There were no witnesses put forward to corroborate the charges of incest or that Anne had ever been unfaithful to the king except those obtained by torturing poor Mark Smeaton. Particularly telling is the contrast in King Henry's behavior in the matter of Anne Boleyn and in that of Catherine Howard, where there was evidence of Catherine having had the opportunity to commit adultery and the consistent accounts of multiple witnesses of Catherine having had relations with men before she married the king. During Anne's trial, King Henry was relaxed, unconcerned and focused on Jane. Neither Anne nor George ever confessed to any of the charges and they energetically defended themselves. During the investigation into Catherine Howard, which was never allowed to be heard in open court, the king was distracted, emotional and visibly grief-stricken. He didn't want the charges against Catherine Howard to be true but they were. Catherine also confessed. He wanted Anne to be found guilty and to be dealt with and the verdict was a forgone conclusion irrespective of the actual testimony and evidence.

I hated this movie- they got both girls names right and then ~~~ 🤷🏻‍♀️ it was just far too much creative liberty - I truly hope they didn’t intend accuracy - they failed

A nice presentation of fact, though nothing really new. I never read the novel but I saw the film. I found the 'almost-incest' scene in that film to be thought-provoking, as I simply never before could think of any reason why anyone could or would bring such a charge against George. In the film, Anne has one moment of desperation after her miscarriage when she thinks that she might be able to finesse the delivery date if she can get pregnant again right away - and, since Henry has lost interest - she in one hysterical moment suggests that perhaps her brother - the only man she could trust with such a thing - might do the deed. But she quickly realizes that this is ridiculous. I thought that maybe somehow such a desperate scene was responsible for the charge later appearing...complete nonsense but why choose that crime, of all things??? // As for Mary's children, I like to think that Catherine was fathered by Henry - it would make sense that he would not claim (another) daughter. As for the gifts, etc. to William Carey as a pay-off, well, I guess I'd want to compare and contrast what he received vice others in his position.

I was so relieved to have watched this - there seemed to be rather a good many inaccuracies. I'm not normally a reader of historical novels and expect them to elaborate. This book was one I have actually read, but I couldn't actually manage to the end. I found it far too cringeworthy for my taste. Thank you Claire for pointing out these inaccuracies which I found quite troubling.

Having been interested in Tudor history for a very long time, it is impossible to read Gregory's books without seeing all the inaccuracies. The Other Boleyn Girl is a horrible movie, despite the brilliant casting.

Without watching this video, from the title I can tell you that The Other Boleyn Girl was NOT accurate! Far from it in fact! So much so that I began to watch and it was so awful I couldn’t continue! I know a hell of a lot about Anne Boleyn, probably more than anyone but I won’t bore you all with the story of how and why. But back to the point, other Boleyn girl, no. Don’t waste your time people.

I would love more on Jane Boleyn... such a tragic figure.

I wish they wouldn't write fictional historical books, or create series or movies unless they portray the facts. There is too much artistic license, I absolutely hated "The Tudors" TV series which was a soft porn soap opera!

What about the rape scene between Anne and Henry? Is there any historical evidence to support Henry getting fed up with her “games” and forcing himself on Anne?

Thank you very much for this video! I don't see a lot of people talking about the issues with 'The other Boleyn girl' on youtube so this is great. I will say that I, at the very least, appreciate Gregory's merits as a writer. She's got a way of creating her own interpretations on real historical figures and presenting the essence of the Tudor period in boldness and colour. What annoys me is how far she feels she has to go to twist these real people's characters into what she needs for the stories: Hero, villain, sidekick and love interest. People like Anne Boleyn and her daughter Elizabeth could've been extremely compelling to write about as they were. Embellishments can be made of course but the essence must stay true. Even the way she wrote them was interesting so long as she owns the fact that it's historical fiction. But I digress. Thanks again for these Tudor videos-they're very educational on a rainy day.

Can you ever talk about your house? I just love the background and the passthrough.

For the life of me I will never understand why on earth people imagine that a film, designed purely for entertainment, should be "accurate." The book is historical fiction, the film is historical fiction. Both feature some real people and some real places but neither of them has ever claimed to be a documentary. Both are just imaginary creations of the author/producer, designed to amuse and divert the reader/watcher. Anyone wanting accuracy needs to start reading some of the serious historians on this subject or doing their own research. I'm very glad Claire pointed this out at the beginning of the talk.

When you have finished all the work you can go back to seria " Reign "😁😁😁 minimum 5-6 h material for you and us 🙂

This video is bringing back uncomfortable memories of seeing The Other Boleyn Girl in theaters on a double date, a first date at that. I remember it being bad and my date covering my eyes for the execution scene 😆 but my heavens I think I must have blocked out those horrible incest scenes, though I remember the icky rape scene with Henry and Anne. What was that?! I don’t think we had a clue what we were in for.

Thank you for this video Claire. I disputed someone’s assertion that Thomas Boleyn pimped his daughters on another video yesterday, specifically mentioning that “The Other Boleyn Girl” is rather inaccurate.

This is quite a long video to say, "Oh good sweet Lord, NO!" 😂 I kid, I kid. Philippa Gregory novels are TERRIBLE though. Historically inaccurate, meandering, bloated text, an almost vitriolic bias against Anne and Elizabeth 1. Neither of them were angels, but neither were the people she openly idolizes. And honestly, I could have looked past those things if I didn't also find them BORING. I mean, if other people enjoy them, more for them I suppose. Great breakdown.

Just saw this film again last night on TV. Thanks so much for all this information and explanation. Have become fascinated with the subject upon discovering ancestry, direct descent from Mary Boleyn/Henry Carey... as are no doubt countless others.

This can of worms was opened with the DaVinci code as historical fiction. I would be interested what the English thought when word came of the new world. What of the appearance of our lady of guadalupe in December 1531? What did tge reformers think? I wonder if they thought it was fake. Catherine of Aragon was born during advent.

My thoughts: of course the incest charges were bogus. And also of course neither Thomas B nor Anne could have foreseen the king issuing his own annulment and marrying an English girl of ‘low’ birth. But never the less, why is it that Elisabeth B with her Howard connections and Thomas B with his Butler money and connections did not arrange for a marriage for Mary or Anne in their teens’ ? Quite unusual. We find the Boleyn girls at court, unattached in their 20’s, both beautiful with amazing education for the time. Thomas B was hoping for a Percy situation I think, for both of them, and the king getting in the picture was not a benefit as we have seen with Mary who ended up marrying below Thomas’ expectation. Was William Carey such a good match? Not sure - he had the king’s favor but no title and Mary did find herself in financial difficulties after his death. As for Anne’s good deed taking charge of Henry Carrey, I am not convinced. Mary at that time managed to get money from both her father and the king, a very large amount of 200 Lbs per year, surely enough to raise her kids with the best tutors. But Anne getting the wardship of little Henry also meant she was getting the Carrey’s land income, protected from the creditors. So what Henry was giving Mary with one hand, Anne was getting back. A good deal.

I am angry and very disappointed that an author such as Phillipa Gregory, whom I believed to be a credible historian, should publish an inaccurate reporting of the Anne Boleyn period. What would Anne, Mary, George and their parents think? What would they have to say to us if they had a chance to speak today?

I never cared that it's not 💯 accurate. Because it was what lead me to Anne Boleyn,Henry VIII and the life and story of the Tudors. ❤️

My question is how accurate is Anne of a Thousand Days

Lifelong Anne fan but I HATED that book because it portrays my girl as a one-note bitch. I realize that the book was from Mary’s POV, still I was repelled by the depiction of Anne as a calculating, incestuous monster with no redeeming qualities at all.

I read the book knowing it just fiction so I did not expect it to be historically correct. Also I thought the film entertaining but of course just like the book it was fiction. If it gets people interested in Tudor history that is good thing I think. I tend to watch & read anything with 'Anne Boleyn' in the title lol . Natalie Portman was a very beautiful Anne Boleyn in the film but I hated the ending when she was on the scaffold, Natalie Dormer's performance was magnificent.

I adored Julia Fox's biography of Jane Boleyn. It sounds like she was really maligned throughout history.

Thanks for the clarification. I always see that film as being “Hollywoodised”.

What a beautiful top you are wearing!

I’ve been lurking about this channel. Just wanted to say how much I enjoy being here. I love Tudor history!

The incest story made no sense to me ( great drama for fiction / film) a..a.sadly, the avarice of her father did.... although considering this information, am now in different mindset.

Regarding Anne Boleyn's hair and eye color and complexion in general, she couldn't have been that dark or her daughter would not have had the coloring she did. Elizabeth was noted for her white skin and golden strawberry blond hair. I don't think it makes sense genetically to assert her mother had dark hair and eyes.

Your opinions are not needed in your research and interferes with the facts. Understanding a clever and manipulative woman takes another to know one. You strike me as a goody two shoes and lack understanding of what these women and men can do. Another good storyteller “nasty piece of work”? Defender of the crown? Are you debunking the research of Joseph Gregory Hallet?

Philippa Gregory's books are full of inaccuracies. She's a Yorkist supporter so she depicts the Lancastrians and Tudors as total villains while the Yorks are dynamic, sexy and on the right side of PG.

So basically the movie is not factual at all but the Tudors series is more factual than anything. I heard that there is a another series coming out about Anne Boleyn the series will show Anne Boleyn as black not white

Be careful because if he takes the throne no one is allowed to speak against the King and could be beheaded.