(Re)Imagining the past: Race & the representation of Anne Boleyn

Over the past two decades, numerous mediums have attempted to capture the allure of the Tudor dynasty. These popular representations are consequential because they capitalize on that allure to challenge or affirm public understandings of the past. Historical dramas like Showtime’s The Tudors (2007-2010) and Channel 5’s Anne Boleyn miniseries (2021) shape the way audiences(re)imagine Henry VIII’s court, including the way we think about sex and race. For example, the casting of Jodie Turner-Smith, a black actress, as Anne Boleyn has caused some controversy.

Yet controversy over Anne’s sexuality and skin color is nothing new. This talk explores the role Anne Boleyn plays in Tudor race-making, then and now. In doing so, Yasmine Hachimi will consider the limitations of color-conscious casting in historical dramas about the Tudors, the white-washing of history, and the importance of diversifying our understanding of Tudor England.

About the speaker

Yasmine Hachimi is an advanced PhD candidate in English Literature at UC Davis. She is currently writing a dissertation on the eroticization and racialization of Tudor queens, which explores a range of popular genres from early modern letters and plays, to tv shows and fanfiction today. When she’s not working on her dissertation, you can find Yasmine immersing herself in acts of joy centered around rest, reading, and community.

This talk is part of the IPUP seminar series and is open to all. The talk will last c. 45 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of questions and discussion with the audience. The event will be held via Zoom and the link and password will be circulated to all attendees two days prior to the event.

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