Wolf Hall, the new BBC2 drama based on the Booker Prize winning novel by Hilary Mantel, premiered on Wednesday night (January 21) and appeared to polarise audiences. While the performances of Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis were acclaimed in the press, the vast swathe of Twitter users bemoaned the dim lighting and shifting narrative.

Mark RylanceMark Rylance leads the cast in the BBCs Wolf Hall

Speaking at a recent BFI screening, director Peter Kosminsky discussed the new cameras used to give Wolf Hall an authentic feel and help the cast fully immerse themselves in roles.

More: Man Booker Prize: at least two judges "strongly backed" Wilf Self over Hilary Mantel

"So we were lighting a room that existed at the time in the way it was designed to be lit all those years ago," he said. An interesting concept for sure, but did it ultimately decrease enjoyment for the viewer?

"Trying to watch #WolfHall but can't see a fecking thing! #morecandlesplease #spoileralert #cromwelldies," tweeted the comedian Jason Manford.

"Not entirely persuaded by the lighting strategy #WolfHall," said former Labour spin-doctor Alistair Campbell.

Damian LewisDamian Lewis co-stars in Wolf Hall, which drew a mixed response from viewers

"Okay, I admit it, I gave up on #WolfHall. Great on paper, dark and dull in reality. Characters not introduced properly and lighting was hell," said Fiona Shoop.

"Wish my tele wasn't so small and the screen so dark, literally can't see a thing with all this natural lighting #WolfHall," wrote Bella Howard.

More: check out our Claire Foy pictures

Claire Foy, the actress who plays Anne Boleyn in the drama, had previously admitted bumping into props in the "incredible but bonkers" darkness on-set, while the author Mantel added that candlelight "does something amazing to your imagination".

Not everyone agreed with the lighting issue. Actor Colin Salmon tweeted, "Wolf Hall was stunning ; lighting, pace, acting, design & direction. Peter Kosminsky looks & finds the soul of the story. Heartening."

The first episode of six pulled in 3.89 million on Wednesday night - the highest audience for a BBC2 original drama series launch in a decade.