When we reviewed series one of The Tudors last year the consensus was that it was a darned good costume romp as long as you weren’t after historical accuracy.

Well hang on to your Domesday Book because The Tudors returns to BBC Two this Friday for a second 10-part series.

The Tudors is at it again on the historical accuracy front, recruiting Peter O’Toole to play Pope Paul III, who opposed Henry Tudor’s remarriage to Anne Boleyn. Except it wasn’t Paul III at all, but his predecessor.

Still never let the facts get in the way of a good story, they always say, and it’s never been truer than with The Tudors. It must be a successful formula though – Jonathan Rhys Meyers is already fully engaged shooting the third season, and producers Showtime have declared their intention to film the whole saga of Henry VIII.

The Tudors: BBC Two, Friday 1 August, 9pm