Sangre, sexo y realeza

Boomer here, and American. At first, the show was confusing (modern language, actions and music.) However, once I just accepted the mode of presentation, I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised with finding out new and interesting nuggets, including an expanded context for the creation of the Church of England and other historical information (like the card game!) Much of this info might be old hat to UK viewers, but I ended up enjoying the series.

Regarding the criticisms about "dumbing down" history for modern audiences: perhaps this series should be viewed as a gateway for younger audiences to relate, i.e., "approachable history" that draws them in. I grew up on the insufferably dry stuff, and find a bit of fresh air here. There is an applicable quote from one of humanity's best poets: The Times They Are a-Changin'

This series is like a course of "History made easy for Millennials". Rather than read and have the history portrayed in a way that reflects the era, this version turns it into a modern day Ann who uses dialog and twentieth century slang so as to endear it to the hearts and minds of the generation of communicate in this way. It just seems to cheapen the whole series when done in this way. At any moment in the series one expected that Ann would whip out her smartphone and fire off texts to Henry. Or perhaps they'd arrange a liaison in this way! Modernizing stories is fine as a novel approach, dumbing them down is another matter!

Some reviewers are complaining that this docudrama has been altered for millennials. I would like to take this time to remind everyone that millennials are roughly 30 to 40 years old. Perhaps they're thinking of Gen Zer's.

That said, I would definitely agree that this series has been modernized. I certainly wasn't expecting to hear pop songs and newer slang. However, after an adjustment period, I rather enjoyed it.

I've read a lot of historical fiction and nonfiction about Henry VIII, Anne, and the other "characters" as well as watched movies, documentaries, etc. I very much appreciated hearing the tale told from Anne's POV, and if the modernization makes it more accessible to newer audiences, great. We already have so many traditional forms of this particular section of history; it was rather refreshing to see the creators try something different.

I also really liked the blend of re-enactments with the historians commentary. Overall, I believe this rendition humanized Anne much more than many others have.

I honestly started to turn off the television after a few minutes and it was only my laziness that kept me going.

Then I got intrigued.

It isn't inaccurate, but it feels a bit incomplete historically.

ON THE OTHER HAND, who's to say which interpretations (head canons) best fill in the points between the facts we have?

It isn't what I expected.

ON THE OTHER HAND, once you realize it's basically a mash up of the Tudors and Gossip Girl, you're all right.

I certainly hope no "hip" teacher will try to use this in their history classroom, but ON THE OTHER HAND, I'm perfectly ok with kids finding this on their own.

Figuring out the bare bones of history while being highly entertained.

Again, my impulse was to turn it off, toss it out, put it far away from myself. But if it opens the door and someone decides to read more on the Tudors? It would be a win.

With all the great quirky history series around at the moment - The Serpentine Queen, The Empress, and the black comedy/drama The Great. I think with this Blood, Sex and Royalty series, they wanted to make a quirky series that documented one of the most famous royals of all time - Anne Boleyn, and in doing so appeal perhaps to the ones not so much into their history.

However it just turned into a complete train wreck. As an English history buff, especially when it comes to the Monarchy, I felt quite insulted by this series.

Were they trying to make Blood, Sex and Royalty like an adult version of an episode of Horrible Histories? I'd much rather watch HH and actually learn something.

All that I can hope is that this series if it does catch the eye of English History novices, that they will continue onwards to explore more about the Tudor times and what was one of our most important times in history.