BBC's highly popular series "Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light" almost got cancelled by bosses for a very sad reason. The historical drama, based on the novels by Hilary Mantel, is a fictionalised adaptation that focuses on Thomas Cromwell's rise to power in the court of King Henry VIII. Oscar-winning actor Mark Rylance played Cromwell's role, and his performance earned him a for Best Actor. Other accolades include the award for Best Miniseries or Television Film at the and Best Drama Series at the BAFTA Television Awards.

The second series, which aired in December 2024, almost didn't make it onto television screens after the entire production was halted for a heartbreaking reason.

In 2022, author Hilary Mantel died unexpectedly after suffering a stroke at the age of 70. Director Peter Kosminsky told The Hollywood Reporter there were serious discussions to end the historical drama following Mantel's death.

He explained: "If it hadn't been for the support of the BBC and Masterpiece at that point, when our morale was pretty low, I think there might've been a different outcome."

Peter also expressed his shock over Mantel's death on BBC Radio 4, saying: "I can't help feeling that a light has gone out in our rather benighted country. Hilary Mantel was an expert, she spent five years researching Cromwell and the Tudor period before she even put pen to paper. She was erudite on a range of subjects."

"For those who knew her, for her husband Gerald, and all those who adored her books, we're not going to see her like again in our lifetimes."

What's more, the BBC show faced another challenge. According to , there was a significant lack of money behind the project. "Six weeks from production, we were shutting down. There was no way around. We were so far adrift on the money and we had cut and cut and cut," the director added.

Producer Colin Callender shared: "The costs in England for production over the years have escalated astronomically. It's a problem across the whole of the British industry and it's particularly affecting top-end British drama." It was also revealed that writer Peter Straughan and lead actor Rylance took pay cuts.

"Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light" can be streamed on BBC iPlayer.