Jodie Turner-Smith Makes a Striking First Appearance as Anne Boleyn

Long may Jodie Turner-Smith reign.

We just got our first look of the actress in her latest role, starring as Anne Boleyn for a new psychological thriller about the Tudor queen and wife of King Henry VIII. The three-part series will air on the U.K.'s Channel 5 network later this year. In this dramatic sneak peek photo, Turner-Smith's Boleyn wears a velvety black dress with a pearl necklace and veil.

Anne Boleyn will cover the royal's final months from her point of view, "as she struggles to secure a future for her daughter and challenge the powerful patriarchy closing in around her," Variety reports. Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) plays Anne's brother, George Boleyn; Mark Stanley (Game of Thrones) plays Henry VIII; and Lola Petticrew (Dating Amber) plays Jane Seymour, Anne's competition.

Turner-Smith's casting was first announced in October 2020. At the time, she wrote in a statement, "I am so excited to join these exciting filmmakers in bringing the story of one of history’s most controversial queens to the screen. Delving deeper into Anne Boleyn’s immense strengths while examining her fatal weaknesses and vulnerabilities, Eve [Hedderwick Turner]’s scripts immediately captured my imagination.

"In the hands of Lynsey Miller, the legend of this formidable queen and fierce mother will be seen as a deeply human story that is still so relevant for today. I look forward to bringing my heart and spirit into this daring retelling of the fall of this iconic woman."

This isn't he only big Turner-Smith project we have to look forward to. The Queen and Slim star will also lead Netflix's prequel series, The Witcher: Blood Origin, in the role of Éile, an elite warrior figure.