What became of the main characters from Wolf Hall after the events of The Mirror and the Light?

A guide of who withstood the shifting tides of power—and who did not.

The conclusion of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light, both the novel and its screen adaptation, left audiences curious about the fate of several key figures who shaped the Tudor court’s drama.

While the acclaimed trilogy by the late Hilary Mantel remains firmly centered on Thomas Cromwell’s rise and fall as King Henry VIII’s chief minister, it does not extend beyond his execution—leaving the ultimate destinies of other notable characters unexplored within the narrative.

Yet for those intrigued by what became of these influential players after the events of The Mirror and The Light, this guide offers insight into their eventual paths.

The period that followed was as volatile as ever. Some individuals defied expectations and held onto power, while others met tragic ends under the capricious rule of King Henry VIII, portrayed with chilling force by Damian Lewis.

As for the King himself, his later years were marked by a dramatic decline in health and dignity—a fittingly grim epilogue for a reign defined by both grandeur and brutality.

King Henry VIII

Damian Lewis as King Henry VIII in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. BBC/Nick Briggs

What happened to Henry VIII and his courtiers after Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light?