Peter Kosminsky hails novelist behind tale of dark arts in court of Henry VIII as it returns to TV screens after 10 years

The 10-year wait is almost over. Wolf Hall, the hit television series based on Hilary Mantel’s trio of historical novels, will be back on the BBC next Sunday, leading viewers through the dangerous, maze-like political court of Henry VIII. This time, however, the path was darker and lonelier for director Peter Kosminsky, who had to proceed without his guide, the book’s late author.

“It has been much harder, because Hilary is gone,” he told the Observer ahead of the show’s return.