When Wolf Hall first aired in 2015, a number of famous faces were cast alongside Damian Lewis as Henry VIII and Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell. While the duo return in the follow-up, Wolf Hall: The and the Light, several of their co-stars do not.

One of those casting changes is the Duke of Norfolk, who was original played by Bernard Hill but in the new series, Timothy Spall steps in as Anne Boleyn's uncle.

Speaking to press, executive producer Peter Kosminsky shared the heartbreaking reason Bernard did not return. He said: "We made some changes in the cast for a variety of reasons.

"Obviously very, very sadly, Bernard Hill died not long before we got going so it wasn't possible for him to return as the Duke of Norfolk and Tim Spall... I think the Duke of Norfolk is different in the new book. I think Tim fitted that really well."

Bernard sadly died earlier this year at the age of 79.

In the opening minutes of The Mirror and the Light, fans of the drama will realise Tom Holland has been replaced as Cromwell's son Gregory. Since starring in the 2015 series, the actor has gone on to play Spiderman and has recently been busy on stage. He has been replaced by Charlie Rowe.

Peter also spoke about the choice to employ colour-blind casting for the new series. He explained: "There are a number of parts played by people of colour and this is not something we did in the first series. I’m delighted we’ve been able to do it.

"We wanted the very best actors who are available for the show, and we looked at everybody, and we chose the best actors who auditioned for the roles.

"And obviously, we aren’t playing lookalikes in the series. Damian [Lewis] is many things, but he doesn’t resemble Henry VIII particularly. Jonathan Pryce doesn’t particularly resemble Cardinal Wolsey."

The synopsis for the first episode of season two, titled Wreckage, reads: "The Mirror and the Light opens in the heartbeat after Anne Boleyn’s death, as the young queen’s blood is sluiced from the scaffold and Thomas Cromwell picks his way across the wreckage to take up his position as principal councillor to an unpredictable king.

"Despite his lowly beginnings in a Putney blacksmith’s forge, Cromwell has made a reputation for himself as one of England’s most formidable politicians. On the day of the queen’s death, he is at the height of his powers.

"He has found a bloody way for the king to escape his marriage, pinning Anne Boleyn and her circle to crimes they could never have imagined. He has delivered her to the Calais swordsman’s blade. He has smoothed the path for the king’s marriage to his third wife, Jane Seymour. And he has been rewarded well.

"Now both master secretary and lord privy seal, there are few parts of the state’s business that do not pass over his desk. But in rising so high, Cromwell has also attracted powerful enemies."

The Mirror and the Light airs Sundays on One at 9pm.