Shardlake full season guide: plot, cast, and more

Shardlake is a Disney Plus TV series based on the hugely popular Tudor murder mystery novels by C.J. Sansom which is released on May 1, 2024. So not long to wait and all the episodes drop at once.

Sadly, Chris Sansom, the Scottish writer of the books, died aged 71 shortly before the series was released. He wrote seven Shardlake novels, plus two more hugely successful historical fiction novels, "Winter in Madrid" and "Dominion".

Shardlake has been critically acclaimed, with the series capturing the spirit of the books.

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Fans of the Shardlake books have been waiting years for them to be adapted, with Kenneth Branagh at one point reported to be working on a TV series.

So, there was huge anticipation for drama, which stars Arthur Hughes (The Innocents, Then Barbara Met Alan) as crime-busting lawyer, Matthew Shardlake. And thankfully fans haven't been disappointed.

Stephen Butchard, who adapted the book, says: "Writing Shardlake has been nothing short of a joy. C.J. Sansom's novels are incredibly rich in story, character and history; full of intrigue, excitement, cruelty and compassion — and at the centre of it all is Matthew Shardlake, a hero like no other. Although these stories are set in Tudor England, the themes absolutely engage and resonate with today’s world. Hundreds of years may have past — but humankind and what makes us tick has changed little."

The trailer sees Shardlake wonder why he "smells secrets and fear" at a place of worship. This ties in with Shardlake investigating a murder at a monastery. "You will not fail me," says Sean Bean's Thomas Cromwell, as he tasks Matthew with finding the killer!

Here's all about the series...

Shardlake TV series release date

Shardlake was released on May 1, 2024, on Disney Plus with all the episodes being made available at the same time. Production took place in Hungary, Austria and Romania.

Shardlake plot

Shardlake is based on the first novel in Sansom's series, "Dissolution", which is set during the dissolution of the monasteries. Teasing the plot, the makers say: "Shardlake's sheltered life as a lawyer is turned upside down when Cromwell instructs him to investigate the murder of one of his commissioners at a monastery in the remote town of Scarnsea.

"The commissioner was gathering evidence to close the monastery and it is now imperative for Cromwell's own political survival that Shardlake both solves the murder and closes the monastery.

"He leaves Shardlake in no doubt that failure is not an option. Cromwell insists that he is accompanied by cocky, good-looking Jack Barak and Shardlake is left unsure whether Barak is an assistant, or Cromwell’s spy.  At Scarnsea, the duo are met with hostility, suspicion and paranoia by the monks who fear for their future and will seemingly stop at nothing to preserve their order."

Teasing the mystery, Arthur Hughes, who plays Shardlake, says: "It’s great! It’s like a medieval cop show. Playing a detective is great especially when you’re the cleverest person in the room which Shardlake often is — and he knows that and he likes to play on that. I think that’s fun, being the one who's figured it all out and who's waiting for everyone else to catch up is a lot of fun! That’s why we like detective shows, we like to be the detective, we like watching along. It’s a great mystery with a great setting in a monastery. It’s spooky and a lot of fun."

How is the Shardlake TV series different from the books?

The makers kept true to the fact that Shardlake has a curvature of the spine, saying: "His position in society is unfavoured due to his appearance, as a person living with scoliosis during the Tudor period, suffering the indignity of being abused as a 'crookback' wherever he turns."

However, in the books, Shardlake makes references to how unattractive he is, but Arthur Hughes cuts a far more dashing figure than you'd imagine from reading the books. To be fair, the character does still have some of his self-loathing.

Shardlake cast

Shardlake boasts an amazing cast, with Arthur Hughes playing the lawyer, while Sean Bean stars as Henry VIII's Chief Minister, Thomas Cromwell. Anthony Boyle (Masters of the Air, Tetris) plays Jack Barak. Other key cast include Babou Ceesay (Wolfe, Damilola) as Abbot Fabian, Paul Kaye (The Stranger, Game of Thrones) as Brother Jerome and Ruby Ashbourne Serkis (The Greatest Beer Run Ever, Becoming Elizabeth) as Alice.

Is there a trailer?

Yes! See above.

Will there be a Shardlake season 2?

There's been no official word yet from Disney on whether they will adapt "Dark Fire", the second book in the series. However, given the positive reaction to Shardlake, it seems a second season could well be on the cards. We will update this feature if we get an announcement either way.