Prime Video Officially Adds Henry Cavill's Steamy Historical Drama Series
Showtime’s steamy historical drama about the scandalous reign of Henry VIII has just arrived on Prime Video.
The 38-episode series is known for its political intrigue, brutal conflicts and scandalous relationships, but there’s another reason it may be worth revisiting in 2026: it features major roles for Henry Cavill and Natalie Dormer years before Man of Steel and Game of Thrones made them household names.
Telling the story of King Henry VIII’s ruthless reign over 16th-century England, The Tudors gets into the details of the King’s personal and political conflicts. This includes his infamous break with the Catholic Church, his obsessive quest to secure a male heir, his six marriages, and the many women who suffered as a result of his wrath.
The show, which first aired in 2007 and ran for four seasons until 2010, was a critical success upon release and remains highly rated on IMDb (8.1) and JustWatch (89%). While Jonathan Rhys Meyers gets top billing as Henry VIII, Cavill plays the monarch’s long-serving friend and confidant, Charles Brandon, across all four seasons. Dormer also has one of the show’s most memorable roles as Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife.
Before Superman, Henry Cavill Built A Fanbase With The Tudors
Before landing his role on The Tudors, Henry Cavill had appeared in movies such as Stardust and The Count of Monte Cristo. But The Tudors helped Cavill build a devoted fanbase several years before Man of Steel turned him into an international star. His four-season performance as Charles Brandon raised his profile before he appeared as Superman in Zack Snyder’s 2013 blockbuster, and subsequent roles in hit titles like The Witcher and Mission: Impossible – Fallout.
In addition to its glossy, sensationalized version of Henry VIII's life, The Tudors became known for its unusually frank approach to sex and violence, often leaning heavily into the excesses and brutality of the historical period.
When asked about the show’s unfiltered content, Cavill noted that while he understood its appeal, it wasn’t what attracted him to the role of Charles Brandon.
"Sex sells, I understand that, and it certainly drew attention to the show […] but what I loved about it was the historical aspect – how much research the writer put into everything. It was so beautifully written, so much depth on every page, and the chance to play a character from history who isn’t really written about that much."
While the show is rated TV-MA and is only intended for mature audiences, The Tudors is a highly recommended show for Cavill devotees—particularly those interested in seeing one of his biggest roles before Superman. Similarly, Natalie Dormer’s performance as Anne Boleyn is also a must-see for anyone who loved her take on Margaery Tyrell in Game of Thrones.
All four seasons of The Tudors are now streaming on Prime Video. For a full list of recently added titles, you can browse through what's new on Prime Video.
