The drama, airing on cable network Showtime in the US, is a 10-part drama featuring the 20-nothing and 30-something life of Henry VIII and his close coterie of advisers, minions and lovers.
It is written by Michael Hirst, who wrote 'Elizabeth', and shot in Ireland with a largely British cast that includes Jeremy Northam, who starred in 'Gosford Park', as Sir Thomas More, and Sam Neill of 'Jurassic Park' fame stars as Cardinal Wolesey.
The first 10 episodes of the series follows Henry's rule as he seeks to divorce Catherine of Aragon for failing to produce a surviving male heir and falls for Anne Boleyn, leading to his break with the Roman Catholic Church. Anne is played by Natalie Dormer, who was most recently seen in 'Casanova'.
The show has just been commissioned for a second season, which tells of Henry's marriage to Boleyn and the birth of their daughter, and future queen Elizabeth, and the intrigue leading to Boleyn's execution, just 11 days before Henry's marriage to Jane Seymour.
'The Tudors' successfully premiered on US premium pay network Showtime in early April, where it delivered the network's best series debut in three years.
Sue Deeks, head of series at BBC programme acquisition, said: "Jonathan Rhys Meyers' sexy and vital monarch completely dispels the image of the older, overweight and infirm ruler -- I know that BBC viewers will really enjoy this contemporary take on the Tudor dynasty."
The series is executive produced by Revielle's Ben Silverman, Michael Hurst along with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title. The series was acquired by Deeks, and Jane Tranter, controller of BBC Fiction.
'The Tudors' will air this autumn on BBC Two.
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