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Damian Lewis has come under fire for dramatically storming out of a Wolf Hall interview. (Image: ITV)
Wolf Hall star Damian Lewis has been criticised after abruptly terminating an interview while promoting the return of the BBC series.
Damian, 53, who portrays Henry VIII in the show, stunned journalist Ginny Dougary when he “walked out” of their chat.
Beginning her article for Radio Times, Ginny writes: “So this is a first. My interviewee has walked out.
“Not in a flounce or in uncontrolled anger but dead casually, as though it’s no real biggy.”
Ginny explains that during the virtual interview, she asked what the relevance of Henry VIII is in 2024.
Damian Lewis plays King Henry VIII in BBC's Wolf Hall. (Image: BBC)
The Homeland star replied: “Well, I think that someone as historically significant as Henry VIII will always remain significant. Unless your question is suggesting such an un-woke character as Henry VIII, shot through a sort of contemporary prism, should no longer be on TV?
“But obviously I’d have to reject that idea.”
Damian then spoke about his love of history and how he has “read extensively” about the Tudor period.
However, when he was asked about his personal beliefs, he bluntly refused to respond.
He told the publication: “I was very clear that I wasn’t doing any profiles and it’s starting to feel a bit like a profile, so I’m going to jump off.”
And with that, he cut the interview dead.
Damian Lewis abruptly left the interview while discussing Henry VIII. (Image: Getty)
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The article has circulated online, with many reacting to the exchange.
One Threads user said the article was “brutal”, while another said his behaviour came across as “pompous”.
A third user wrote: “It does seem that the first question was designed to trigger him though.”
And a fourth commented: “Having done many a movie press junket and ‘celeb’ interview in my time, this is depressingly not unusual.”
Damian's full interview is in this week's Radio Times. (Image: Radio Times)
Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light is the final instalment in the series and comes 10 years after the first one concluded.
Adapted from the third book in Dame Hilary Mantel's historical trilogy, the BBC show will chart the final years of Thomas Cromwell's life as he deals with an increasingly unstable King Henry.
Also returning is Oscar winner Sir Mark Rylance, who earned a Bafta for his portrayal of Cromwell in the first series.
Joining the cast is Killing Eve's Dame Harriet Walter, Timothy Spall and Alex Jennings.
Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light will begin on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on November 10 at 9pm,
English (US) ·