The title might have been more fittingly "Becoming Edward VI," because the eight episodes primarily cover that complicated stretch of English history following Henry VIII’s death. The King, played by Oliver Zetterström, was only nine when he inherited the throne, finding himself with his Roman Catholic sister Mary (Romola Garai) and Protestant Elizabeth (Alicia von Rittberg) flanking him, while his maternal uncle, the Duke of Somerset (John Heffernan), governed the realm. Initially, Mary is kept out of the picture as the series concentrates on the connections between Elizabeth, her stepmother Queen Catherine Parr (Jessica Raine), her new husband, Lord High Admiral and brother to the Protector, Thomas Seymour (Tom Cullen). It's apparent that this character is driven by ambition, which eventually creates conflict with both his brother and the council. His attempt to take control of the King leads to charges of treason, endangering not just himself but also the future of his brother, who’s facing resistance from Princess Mary and the Duke of Northumberland (Jamie Parker). Meanwhile, Elizabeth struggles to stay apart from these schemes, and as the series moves toward the years dominated by Northumberland, she relies more on her friendship with his son Robert (Jamie Blackley) while those in power try to arrange marriages that are inconvenient but strategically important for both sisters. As the show nears its end, it’s clear that the young King isn't going to live a long life and that succession planning won’t unfold as the previous king intended. The production values are good, supporting all the historical intrigue, political maneuvering, and betrayals. However, the pacing feels stretched; it seems like at least four seasons were originally planned, so the story progresses slowly and methodically in a way reminiscent of a soap opera. The writing is rather ordinary, and none of the performances truly stand out, as it takes quite some time to get to know the characters. This could have been easily trimmed down to just the first two episodes, allowing for more attention on the story of Jane Grey and the dangerous sisterly rivalry that was so important for Elizabeth. Since there won't be any additional seasons, it all feels anticlimactic and doesn’t do justice to its vibrant, deceptive, and clever individuals. It’s acceptable entertainment, but among Tudor costume dramas, it’s notably lacking in feeling and is rather bland.

Source on TMDB