With Henry V’s untimely death, the crown goes to his baby boy, who grows up under the care of his uncle, Gloucester (Hugh Bonneville), and eventually becomes Tom Sturridge. Even though others feel they have a better right to rule, England experiences a period of calm while conflicts rage in France against Jean D'Arc (Laura Morgan). As part of complicated discussions, an agreement is made for the young king to marry Margaret of Anjou (Sophie Okonedo), which seems unfair and results in the King losing his French lands. Once the now-adult king returns home, Somerset (Ben Miles) and York (Adrian Dunbar) plot to remove Gloucester from power and reinstate the Plantagenet family on the throne. The king's difficulties are compounded by his wife’s affair with Somerset and accusations of witchcraft against Gloucester's wife (Sally Hawkins)! Sophie Okonedo truly shines as the ambitious and scheming Queen; Bonneville is good, and Dunbar has a role too, but Sturridge doesn't quite make an impact, which means that part one of Henry VI's nearly forty-year reign looks impressive yet feels somewhat weak. Because of its subject matter, this story tends to be less lively and a bit more tedious as it deals with court schemes and betrayals. Richard II & Henry IV (particularly the first installment) offer more visual distractions to prevent the narrative from getting lost in all the talking. This one has fewer elements to entertain that way, so despite an exciting beginning, it feels like a much more routine experience. The second part of the play brings out bolder aspects, but this section sets the stage for even more chaotic times ahead.

Source on TMDB