How To Watch Sky’s New Period Drama Mary & George
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2 months ago
And there's a new trailer to watch in the meantime
Scandal, scheming and seduction: this buzzy new period drama has piqued our attention – particularly as buzzy rising star Nicholas Galitzine plays the lead. Coming soon to Sky Atlantic is Mary & George, a seven-part miniseries which charts the real-life love affair between King James VI of Scotland (Tony Curran) and George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham (Galitzine). Read on for the lowdown – plus, when it’ll arrive on our screens.
Mary & George: Everything We Know
What Is Mary & George About?
Mary & George is based on a 2017 book by Benjamin Woolley, The King’s Assassin, set in 17th century England. It chronicles George Villiers’ rise to power – helped by his mother, the ruthless Mary Villiers, played by Hollywood legend Julianne Moore. Together the pair mastermind a plot to climb up in the ranks, which involves George seducing King James.
As Sky Atlantic summarises: ‘Mary & George is inspired by the unbelievable true story of Mary Villiers, who moulded her beautiful and charismatic son, George, to seduce King James VI of Scotland and I of England and become his all-powerful lover.
SKY UK
‘Through outrageous scheming, the pair rose from humble beginnings to become the richest, most titled and influential players the English court had ever seen, and the King’s most trusted advisors. And with England’s place on the world stage under threat from a Spanish invasion and rioters taking to the streets to denounce the King, the stakes could not have been higher.
‘Prepared to stop at nothing and armed with her ruthless political steel, Mary married her way up the ranks, bribed politicians, colluded with criminals and clawed her way into the heart of the Establishment, making it her own. Mary & George is a dangerously daring historical psychodrama about an outrageous mother and son who schemed, seduced, and killed to conquer the court of England and the bed of King James.’
Who Is Nicholas Galitzine?
Playing George is Nicholas Galitzine, an up-and-coming British actor who you might recognise from another royal series, Red, White and Royal Blue, currently streaming on Prime Video. The 28-year-old star plays Prince Henry in the show, which is an adaptation of an LGBTQ+ romance novel about the son of an American president who falls in love with a British prince. Before then, Galitzine has featured in films including the 2021 version of Cinderella, and Netflix hit Purple Hearts.
SKY UK
Who Else Stars In Mary & George?
Alongside Galitzine and Moore as the leads, the cast includes Scottish actor Tony Curran (Doctor Who, Outlaw King) as King James I. Trine Dyrholm is playing Queen Anne, Laurie Davidson stars Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset, and Tom Victor is taking on the role of John Villers, 1st Viscount Purbeck. Other actors set to feature include Mirren Mack (The Nest), Nicola Walker (The Split), Niamh Algar (Malpractice) and Simon Russell Beale (The Hollow Crown). The full cast is as follows:
- Julianne Moore as Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham
- Nicholas Galitzine as George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
- Tony Curran as James VI and I
- Laurie Davidson as Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset
- Nicola Walker as Elizabeth Hatton
- Niamh Algar as Sandie
- Trine Dyrholm as Queen Anne
- Sean Gilder as Sir Thomas Compton
- Adrian Rawlins as Edward Coke
- Mark O’Halloran as Francis Bacon
- Samuel Blenkin as Charles I of England
- Jacob McCarthy as Christopher Villiers, 1st Earl of Anglesey
- Tom Victor as John Villiers, 1st Viscount Purbeck
- Alice Grant as Susan Feilding, Countess of Denbigh
- Amelia Gething as Frances Coke, Viscountess Purbeck
- Mirren Mack as Katherine Villiers, Duchess of Buckingham
- Rina Mahoney as Laura Ashcattle
- Simon Russell Beale as Sir George Villiers
- Daniel Jordan as Funeral Priest
Is There A Trailer?
Yes, the trailer for Mary & George dropped shortly before the show’s release – and it’s very intriguing. Watch below:
When Is The Release Date?
Mary & George will premiere on 5 March on Sky in the UK, and on 5 April on STARZ in the US. It is expected that two episodes will air for three consecutive weeks before the seventh and finale episode on its own.
Where Is It Streaming In The UK?
UK viewers can stream all episodes of Mary & George now on Sky and on NOW. sky.com | nowtv.com
Where Is It Streaming In The US?
UK viewers can stream all episodes of Mary & George from 5 April on STARZ. starz.com
