Anne Boleyn on The Tudors

I think the casting people for the television show The Tudors managed to exploit human psychology in a couple of clever ways, in casting Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn. Specifically, I think they took advantage of the way in which increasing familiarity with someone makes them more attractive, as well as how seeing other people be attracted to someone makes them more attractive to you.

When I first saw her, she struck me as very distinctive but not especially beautiful. After a few episodes, and the operation of those psychological factors, she both seemed extremely attractive and quite distinct from the large cast of very attractive but less individually distinguishable female characters on the show.

Now, if only Zip.ca would send me fewer scratched, unplayable discs!

Author: Milan

In the spring of 2005, I graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in International Relations and a general focus in the area of environmental politics. In the fall of 2005, I began reading for an M.Phil in IR at Wadham College, Oxford. Outside school, I am very interested in photography, writing, and the outdoors. I am writing this blog to keep in touch with friends and family around the world, provide a more personal view of graduate student life in Oxford, and pass on some lessons I've learned here.

11 thoughts on “Anne Boleyn on The Tudors”

  2. You also found her not especially attractive to start with, but more so as the series progressed?

  4. I’ve never seen the show myself. If you’ve got a problem with your disks, I’m pretty sure you can stream seasons I and II for free on CBC.ca. That way you can use your Zip.ca picks for other things.

  9. If you look into it, let me know what you find. I found it to be pretty racy, but I will rent the DVDs if I’m missing anything good!

  10. Unrelated, but interesting:

    Tori Amos also says in her interview on Fade to Red that her song “Crucify” from Little Earthquakes was inspired by Anne Boleyn. “I’ve always had a fascination with the beheading of Anne Boleyn. It’s haunted me. I’ve always had a fascination with baptism, water, and Christianity. That’s haunted me too. Of course, because the Protestant Reformation is entwined with Queen Elizabeth’s mother…I guess I’ve always seen Anne Boleyn as the elicit mistress of the Protestant Reformation. I’ve also really been able to see what a powerful force that she was. Um, to be able to be part of a group that broke away from the Catholic church.”

  11. Racy? yes. One could even say pornographic, which I usually avoid, but for some reason it seemed to be indicated for this incredible story so well told. I am not history scholar enough to know the departures from truth as hinted in the DVD’s blurb, but it sure made me more knowledgable of the whole history package instead of the bits and pieces in school or encyclopedias. With or without those fabulous costumes.

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