Jodie Turner-Smith stars as Anne Boleyn in the reimagined series (Picture: Channel 5)
Anne Boleyn viewers were conflicted over episode one with many praising Jodie Turner-Smith’s performance as the real life Queen of England, while others couldn’t get past the historical inaccuracies.
Jodie, 34, takes the lead as King Henry VIII’s second wife in the Channel 5 series, which has been described as a reimagining of the real life story of Boleyn. Not least for the glaringly obvious fact that Jodie is a Black woman portraying the white royal.
There was a huge reaction to Jodie’s casting but she seems to have impressed most viewers regardless of her race.
One commented: ‘Really enjoying #AnneBoleyn on @channel5_tv. Jodie Smith-Turner is outstanding in the lead role.’
Another agreed: ‘Less than 10 minutes in and I’m genuinely in awe of her screen presence she is every inch the Queen.’
‘Already am I in love with Jodie Turner-Smith’s portrayal of Anne Boleyn,’ another stated.
One viewer joked: ‘I have 0 problem with a black #AnneBoleyn. I have big problems with perpetuating the myth that Henry was unconscious for hours after his fall from a horse.’