JONATHAN RHYS-MEYERS TO STAR AS YOUNG HENRY VIII IN NEW SHOWTIME DRAMA SERIES, THE TUDORS

LOS ANGELES (January 19, 2006) – Hot on the heels of his Golden Globe®- winning, tour-de-force performance in the mini-series ELVIS, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers has signed on to play a different King — Henry VIII — in SHOWTIME’s new drama series THE TUDORS, it was announced today by Robert Greenblatt, President of Entertainment for SHOWTIME. Ten episodes have been ordered and Emmy®-winning television director Charles McDougall (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) will helm at least the first two episodes of the series, which will most likely air on the network in early 2007 after filming is completed in Ireland.

Bypassing the typical costume drama for a more scandalous take on the times, THE TUDORS will focus on the rarely dramatized, tumultuous early years of King Henry VIII’s nearly 40-year, omnipotent reign (1509-1547) of England. In addition to dalliances with famous female consorts Catherine of Aragon and the infamous Anne Boleyn, the series delves into Henry’s most notable political relationships, including those with philosopher Sir Thomas More and Thomas Cardinal Wolsey, head of the Catholic Church of England during its break with Rome.

Full press release here