Viewers left 'traumatised' by graphic opening scenes as hit BBC drama returns after nine years

BBC viewers were left shocked after seeing one of the opening scenes of Wolf Hall's second season.

The Tudor period drama is back, more than nine years after the finale of season one, with the likes of Mark Rylance returning as main character Thomas Cromwell, Damian Lewis as King Henry VIII, and Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn (for a brief time).

Wolf Hall follows the rise of Cromwell to King Henry VIII, as he helps free him from his marriage to Anne Boleyn.

Fans of the BBC show are ecstatic after a near-decade wait for the follow-up season, which has been called Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light.

It is intended to be the final season of the broadcaster's adaptation of Hilary Mantel's historical novel set in Tudor times.

So, how disturbing is this early scene, really?

Well, as Cromwell manages to get the King out of his second marriage by accusing her of treason, she is sentenced to a beheading - the standard procedure about 500 years ago in the UK.

The chilling thing about this scene is how it is contrasted and cut between the King getting married to his third wife, Jane Seymour, in a lavish gold outfit.

The dark scene with Boleyn, played by The Crown's Claire Foy, shows her being being brought to her death on a row boat, before getting to the location and being blindfolded.

A crowd looks on, as a French swordsman swings back, before chopping her head clean off, though this action isn't shown in the scene, instead focusing on the reaction of Cromwell and the crowd.

Her ladies-in-waiting are clearly distraught and upset, gently picking up her head and body before placing it into a coffin.

The scene is a re-cut version filmed in the finale of season one, but the music, editing, and acting have gotten fans excited of what's to come.

Viewers shared their thoughts on the return of Wolf Hall on social media.

One user said: "Have watched Wolf Hall three times. This clip always makes me cry."

Another commented: "Me every time Henry VIII comes on screen: 'TRAITOR!'"

A third said: "I've just watched this as a prelude to the return of Wolf Hall this weekend on BBC one.

"Such powerful TV, such evocative scenes, such fine acting.

"British drama at its very best."

The first episode of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light is available to stream on iPlayer.