BBC series Wolf Hall has finally returned after nine years, with multiple actors also coming back to the historic drama.
One of the returning actors to Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light is Lilit Lesser who plays Princess Mary. Once declared illegitimate after Henry’s break with Rome, the 20-year-old daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon is currently being held by the crown.
Viewers will see she has refused to swear an oath of obedience to her father as the head of the Church of England, choosing to remain loyal to her dead mother and to her catholic faith. Princess Mary serves as a key figure in Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light and its actress Lilit Lesser previously in the series as Lady Mary.
Lesser is a rising star on British TV thanks to some minor roles in popular TV shows and even has a famous acting father you may recognise.
Here is what we know about Lilit Lessser, her career to date and her famous father.
Early life and career of Lilit Lesser
Also known as Lily, she is the daughter of actor Anton Lesser and wife Madeleine. She also has a brother called Harry.
With a love for acting, Lilit Lesser trained at École internationale de théâtre Jacques Lecoq, Carnesky’s Radical Cabaret School and the National Youth Theatre.
She went on to appear in various plays including Weight of the Light of the World for Queer Upstairs at the Royal Court, Macbeth at the Bridge, The Dybbuk at the Almeida and Lilit for the Vaults Festival.
What are Lilit Lesser’s most famous roles?
Lilit Lesser’s biggest role to date is Princess Mary in the BBC series Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light. She initially played Lady Mary in the first series nine years ago.
As well as appearing as Ravenna Mackenzie in the fifth season of Endeavour, the young actress also starred alongside her father in Wolf Hall – playing Princess Mary Tudor in the six-part series.
Away from working with family members, Lily has also added a few other impressive roles to her acting portfolio.
In 2020, she appeared in the smash-hit Netflix original, The Queen’s Gambit – playing an unnamed character referred to as ‘Girl in Lunchroom’ on IMDB.
Lily has also racked up cameos in shows such as The Frankenstein Chronicles, where she played Ada Byron, The Alienist and Vanity Fair. She has also appeared in Medusa Deluxe, Moonhaven and Domina.
Who is Lilit Lesser’s famous dad?
Lilit has a famous father who is none other than Game of Thrones and Endeavour star Anton Lesser.
The 72-year-old actor has appeared in many popular films and TV shows over the years – including portraying Qyburn in Game of Thrones and Harold Macmillan in The Crown.
The dad-of-two was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2015 for his role of Thomas More in BBC Two drama, Wolf Hall.
Anton said about working on Endeavour: “This is just like a family now. That’s why I love coming back because all elements of the production, the hair, the make-up, the props, the detail, the costumes, the sets.
“They’re all attended to with immaculate care and love and attention. As long as they keep asking me, I’m going to keep coming back because I love doing it.”