The Tudors chronicles an exciting time in British history when King Henry VIII was young and vibrant, and (at least when the series begins) before he beheaded any of his wives. Jonathan Rhys Meyers stars as England's legendary king -- a sexy, brooding royal with a quick temper, an athletic nature, and a desire to be immortalized. He sleeps with handmaidens, hunts game ferociously, and jousts theatrically. His poor wife, Katherine (Maria Doyle Kennedy), struggles to maintain his attention and assert a modicum of control over their daughter Mary's fate.