Autumn, 1552. England is, uneasily, at peace. King Edward VI, now fifteen and mature beyond his years, is already beginning to play an active part in politics. His sister, the Lady Elizabeth, now nineteen, is a prominent figure at court. Edward’s heir, however, is his elder sister Mary. Having refused to renounce her Catholicism in Edward’s increasingly strident Protestant England, she lives in Essex, an unseen but worrying presence. Production has started with filming taking place inHungary, Austria and Romania, which suggests the drama could reach Disney Plus as early as 2024. But Disney is yet to give a firm release date. Shardlake plot However, in the books, Shardlake makes references to how unattractive he is, but in the promo picture for the series, he looks a lot more dashing than he'd appear in the novels. Shardlake cast

From the Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger recipient C. J. Sansom, the highly anticipated new novel in his acclaimed Shardlake series of Tudor mysteries, which have sold two million copies around the world. Shardlake is based on thefirst novel in Sansom's series, "Dissolution", which is set during thedissolution of the monasteries. Teasing the plot, the makers say: "Shardlake's sheltered life as a lawyer is turned upside down when Cromwell instructs him to investigate the murder of one of his commissioners at a monastery in the remote town of Scarnsea.The commissioner was gathering evidence to close the monastery and it is now imperative for Cromwell's own political survival that Shardlake both solves the murder and closes the monastery. Matthew Shardlake has returned to practising law, including matters involving the properties of Elizabeth. A shadow hangs over him, however; he has fallen deeply in love with Liz Partlett, nurse to his adopted daughter Mousey—a love that is reciprocated although Liz, haunted by grim events, feels she can never marry him. Sovereign - Autumn, 1541. As the king embarks on a Royal Progress to York, Shardlake and Barak arrive in the city on a secret mission for Archbishop Cranmer. But soon they are caught up in a murder investigation - and a daring plot to bring down the royal family....

Production of “Shardlake” has already begun, with filming taking place in Hungary, Austria and Romania. Lee Mason, director, scripted content, Disney+, said: “C.J. Sansom’s novels have captivated millions of readers across the globe, and we’re thrilled to be joining forces with The Forge and Runaway Fridge, introducing the exceptional Arthur Hughes as Matthew Shardlake to fans and new audiences alike. Stephen and Justin’s vision for this chilling tale of murder, mystery and politics promises to thrill and delight, and joins a growing catalogue of unmissable original drama for adults on the service.” As colonization and the slave trade dominate world affairs, a group of English merchants, desperate to find new trading opportunities, sets up a Company of Merchant Adventurers to seek a north-east passage to the Far East. The destination of the projected voyage is kept strictly secret lest Spanish spies should learn of it. After the secretary of the Company suddenly dies, Shardlake is recruited to the post as a competent man who can be trusted to keep matters secret.

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Dissolution - Winter, 1537. When a king's commissioner is brutally murdered at Scarnsea monastery, Thomas Cromwell sends Shardlake to investigate. Can he catch the killer before he strikes again?