The second season, which premiered on January 28, 2008, consists of 10 episodes. Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn has ended in tragedy, with Anne's execution on charges of adultery, incest, and treason. The season focuses on Henry's subsequent marriages to Jane Seymour (played by Erin Cressida Wilson) and Anne of Cleves (played by Joss Stone). Meanwhile, Thomas Cromwell rises to power, becoming a key advisor to the king. The season also explores the struggles of Mary I (played by Samantha Bond), Henry's daughter with Catherine of Aragon, as she navigates the complexities of her faith and her relationships with her family.