A TV adaptation based on the first novel in the Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom is screening in May. Set during the Tudor era, it follows Matthew Shardlake (Arthur Hughes), a lawyer tasked to investigate a vicious killing at a monastery at the order of Henry VIII’s powerful right-hand man Thomas Cromwell (Sean Bean).
Digging deeper into the mystery of the murder, which he discovers isn’t the first, Shardlake must navigate an insidious path to uncover the truth, but not without putting himself in serious, irreversible danger.
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Where to watch Shardlake TV series in Australia?
Fans of the Shardlake series of books can finally see the first story brought to life and straight to your screens. In Australia, all four episodes have been confirmed to premiere on Disney Plus.
In addition to original programming, Disney Plus offers an extensive catalogue of content from Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, Pixar, National Geographic and Star.
| TV show | Streaming | Available? |
|---|---|---|
| Shardlake (2024) | Disney+ | Yes – with Disney+ subscription |
Shardlake TV series release date
The murder-mystery will be available to watch on Disney+ from May 1, with all episodes rolling out at once.
You can sign up to Disney+ today so you can instantly stream the show once it arrives.
| Shardlake Season 1 | Release Date | Streaming Service |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Wed, 1 May 2024 | Disney Plus |
| Episode 2 | Wed, 1 May 2024 | Disney Plus |
| Episode 3 | Wed, 1 May 2024 | Disney Plus |
| Episode 4 | Wed, 1 May 2024 | Disney Plus |
Watch Shardlake series on Disney Plus
Every episode will be available to watch on Disney+ in Australia, which screens the Tudor-set whodunnit series from May 1. For exclusive access to the Shardlake series, as well as to the entire Disney+’s TV and movie library, new customers can choose between the monthly and the yearly plan.
There are two plans on Disney+ you can choose from – Disney’s Standard plan allows streaming on up to two screens for $13.99 per month, or $139.99 if you prefer pre-paying for a year in exchange for some savings. With recently Disney+ introducing another tier, the previously 4K streaming included at this price point is no longer offered. You’ll get up to 1080p Full HD video quality with the Standard plan instead.
If you need 4K streaming with Dolby Atmos audio and four concurrent streams, you’ll need to upgrade your subscription with Disney Premium at $17.99 monthly or $179.99 annually.
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What is the plot of the Shardlake series?
When a commissioner is killed while gathering evidence to close a monastery in the remote town of Scarnsea, honest and good-natured lawyer Matthew Shardlake is sent to investigate. He answers to his superior, Thomas Cromwell, who expects nothing but results.
This means not only does he need to solve the baffling murder, which is later revealed to be not the first time, he must also finish what the commissioner didn’t – close the monastery for good. Joining him in his perilous journey is Cromwell’s assistant Jack Barak, who Shardlake thinks is actually Cromwell’s spy.
Arriving at the monastery, the monks instantly express their disdain, treating them with aversion and paranoia. Since Shardlake and Barak’s presence in Scarnsea threaten their existence and their future, the monks will do anything and everything if it means they can preserve their order.
With corruption and deceit manipulating events, Shardlake must stand his ground despite being entangled in a world dictated by constant scheming and deception.
But will he uncover the truth and survive the ordeal unscathed?
The Shardlake TV show is directed by Justin Chadwick from a screenplay written by Stephen Butchard. It is based on C. J. Sansom’s Shardlake series.
Is there a Shardlake trailer?
Hulu in the US has released the first official trailer for the new Shardlake series adaptation, which you can watch below:
Cast of Shardlake TV series
The murder-mystery drama stars Arthur Hughes (The Innocents), Anthony Boyle (Masters of the Air), and Sean Bean (Game of Thrones).
You can find the announced cast list of the Shardlake series here:
Similar shows to Shardlake you might like
Shows that keep you on the edge of your seat make for a gripping watch. If you’ve enjoyed Disney+’s new series Shardlake, chances are you’ll also like similar programs across streaming TV, such as Ripper Street, Bodies, 1899, The Alienist, Murdoch Mysteries, The Pembrokeshire Murders, and more.
You can also explore more mystery TV shows to watch by using the streaming search bar below.
