James Frain

"This is a good idea for a thread. I had been thinking myself that Cromwell is depicted in the show as being much nicer than I have always imagined him. AD, I agree with you regarding the two performances you mention. I think both men did an excellent job of portraying Cromwell. I love it in "Anne of a Thousand Days" when Cromwell says "I am a lawyer who reads the law". Then, when he leaves the room after presenting his ideas to Henry and Anne, he breathes this huge sign of relief. I'm assuming Frain has been told to play Cromwell as a more conflicted character. I've never seen him played that way before. It will be interesting to see if his character changes as the season progresses."

You know, Cromwell was the king's functionary. I get the impression that it was difficult to know what he thought about anything. Cromwell the man never revealed himself, which was undoubtedly the smart thing to do in his position. I was surprised to read somewhere (I'll try to find the source) that before his execution, Cromwell affirmed his belief in the old faith. I had always seen him as a Protestant reformer.

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