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"Wolf Hall" leads nominations for BAFTA TV awards

Xinhua, March 31, 2016 Adjust font size:

The BBC TV series "Wolf Hall" led the way in nominations for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) TV awards shortlist announced on Wednesday.

"Wolf Hall" was nominated in the best drama category and earned three further nominations for members of its cast: Mark Rylance (who won the best supporting actor award last month at the Oscars) as best actor; Claire Foy as best actress; Anton Lesser as best supporting actor.

The historical drama is set in the medieval/renaissance era of England's King Henry VIII. It follows the ruthless rise to power in the King's court of Thomas Cromwell, who served as Henry VIII's chief minister 1532-40. The TV series is based on the first two books in a planned trilogy by writer Hilary Mantell.

"This is England '90", another TV series with a UK background, also stood out among the nominations, with Stephen Graham nominated for lead actor, Chanel Cresswell nominated in the best actress category and a nomination for the program in the best mini-series category.

Acclaimed film and TV actor Ben Whishaw was nominated in the leading actor category for the espionage drama "London Spy", and Idris Elba completes the category for his work in the police thriller series "Luther".

The final series of the global TV hit "Downton Abbey" was ignored by the judges and received no nominations. Throughout its successful five-year run it has failed to win any awards, except for a Special Award.

Film star Sir Ian McKellen, best known for his role as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings films, has been nominated as best supporting actor for "The Dresser". It is his first BAFTA TV nomination, although he has been nominated three times for BAFTA film awards, but he has yet to win one.

The BAFTA TV awards will be handed out at a presentation ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall in London on May 8. Endit