Discussion: James plays Cromwell too nice

"I think he's going to get much more vicious, especially when he constructs the evidence against Anne Boleyn.
Practically every character is ridiculously attractive, I mean look at Sam Niel as Wolsey! I don't think there's an ugly person cast yet."

"Oh, and I just remembered, he did turn a bit to the dark side in season 1 - when he tore up the letter from Wolsey asking for his help after his arrest. He looked conflicted, which I suspose is natural if Cromwell is going to be played from a perspective that belives he's not inherently evil just a corrupted human being."

"From everything I've read about Cromwell he was a cruel ambitious man. Frain - whom I love - plays him as as thoughtful and contemplative = esp. in his kind treatment towards Thomas More. Also, he's too handsome to be Cromwell."

""... as soon as Cromwell considers Anne to be a liability rather than an asset, he'll distance himself from her, he will be ruthless in removing her and he won't lose any sleep over it. ""

"Anne was his ally in what I agree seems to be a genuine interest for Cromwell, the Reformation. Her becoming a liability to the movement and to him, at least as shown in this drama, happens after two clear attacks on him personally. He is smart enough to realize that yes, this woman could take him down . So, which is he more concerned with - his own survival, or his being around to keep the Reformation going? Is she more of a threat to him or the destruction of the Catholic Church? She does still seem interested in how the Reformation is going.

He could never have "removed" her unless it was by Henry's command. He has not been portrayed as going to Henry and saying anything against Anne after either of the two times she attacks him. The King's reaction to any servant speaking out against his Queen would likely not be tolerated. But as soon as he says to Cromwell - I want her gone, make it happen, then Cromwell has all sorts of motivation not to hesitate in her downfall.

I expect Cromwell has been written as conflicted in this series and I have no clue how the real Cromwell evolved from soldier to ruthless Tudor henchman, but James Frain has always been excellent at bringing humanity to evil characters. And yes, he is certainly much prettier than the real Cromwell!"

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He certainly doesn't seem to have much of a stomach for torture and execution, does he? Kind of odd for a man who "used to be" a mercenary.
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"I've been thinking about this scene. He looks absolutely distraught. I have to think that he may be concerned about a number of things. Is this the right course - for the King?...for the Reformation movement?...for the kingdom? And the BIG what if - what happens if the King is completely mortified about this execution in a week or two, as he has been after other horrible events? If I were Cromwell, I'd be well aware at this point that my head could easily be next. He in fact, had just 4 more years of serving the King before his own trip to the Tower.

Henry himself outlives Anne Bolelyn by just 11 years. A LOT happens in that time. I can't imagine what horrors would have transpired if Henry had lived longer!?"

"I've been thinking about this scene. He looks absolutely distraught. I have to think that he may be concerned about a number of things. Is this the right course - for the King?...for the Reformation movement?...for the kingdom? And the BIG what if - what happens if the King is completely mortified about this execution in a week or two, as he has been after other horrible events? If I were Cromwell, I'd be well aware at this point that my head could easily be next. He in fact, had just 4 more years of serving the King before his own trip to the Tower. "