Wolf Hall star Claire Foy admits role as wife of Henry VIII led to corset costume trouble

Wolf Hall period clothing took Claire Foy’s breath away!

It’s been hailed as one of the TV events of the year and historical accuracy is key for the BBC’s big new series, Wolf Hall.

But Claire Foy, who plays Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry VIII, says looking the part has both benefits and drawbacks.

“It’s the most amazing thing as an actor to have clothes made for you,” reveals Claire, who has had period drama experience with roles in Little Dorrit and Upstairs, Downstairs.

“When you have costumes made, you can really make them unique, to have a personality and stand out.

“The way they put the dresses together was so accurate, everything was pinned on nothing was sewn exactly as they would have done it in Anne’s time.

“In the first few weeks it was magical and amazing. But then it gets to July and you’re in a stately home not able to sit down, not really able to breathe and you’re regretting asking the corset to be so tight in the fitting!”

The series, based on Hilary Mantel’s novel, is an intimate portrait of Thomas Cromwell as he manoeuvres through the corridors of power at the Tudor King’s court.

Olivier and Tony award-winning Mark Rylance plays Cromwell, with Damian Lewis, from hit series Homeland, as Henry.

“I did a lot of research but it is difficult with Anne as there are no first-hand accounts of what she was like,” adds Claire.

“Much of the time the information you get is that she wasn’t particularly attractive, all those kinds of clichs with people saying she had six fingers and warts.

“I had to figure that out for myself with the help of the research I did and imagining how mad her life must have been.”