Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Joss Stone set for royal role in The Tudors

Singer Joss Stone is to play Anne of Cleves, fourth wife of Henry VIII, in the racy historical drama The Tudors.

By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor

6:21PM BST 05 Aug 2008

The 21-year-old will appear opposite Jonathan Rhys Meyers' as the king in season three of the Emmy Award-winning TV show, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Joss Stone will play Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII's fourth wife

It is her first TV role, although she did recently grace the small screen as the Cadbury's Flake girl. Stone is keen to establish an acting career and made her debut in 2006 fantasy film Eragon. Her first starring role, in British film Snappers, hits cinemas later this year.

When it comes to the wives of Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves is the least glamorous of them all.

Henry chose her on the strength of a portrait – but was horrified to discover that she was much uglier in the flesh, and famously referred to her as the "Flanders mare".

The marriage went ahead in January 1540 but was annulled, much to Henry's delight, six months later.

They remained on good terms – unlike Henry and his next wife, Catherine Howard, who was executed for treason.

Stone will begin filming her role later this year.

The Tudors is currently in its second series and has been criticised for its lack of historical accuracy.

But Rhys Meyers has defended the show, saying in a recent interview: "We're not making a documentary for universities."

His Henry VIII is a sex-mad young royal, a far cry from the traditional portrayal. The actor insisted: "Having actors with an appealing look is what an audience demands today – especially when there's quite a bit of sexual activity involved."

THE TELEGRAPH