Sky's latest drama Mary & George tells the extraordinary true story of mother and son duo Mary and George Villiers, who became one of the most powerful families in England during the reign of King James I.
Starring Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore and Red, White & Royal Blue's Nicholas Galitzine as the titular mother and son duo, the series tells of how Mary molded her charismatic son to scheme, seduce, and kill in a bid to conquer the Court of England and King James VI of Scotland and I of England, and become his all-powerful lover. Intrigued? Keep reading for all you need to know about the gripping new drama.
Billed as a "historical psychodrama", the seven-parter is adapted from Benjamin Wooley's 2017 nonfiction book The King's Assassin, a nonfiction novel that details the conspiracy to kill King James I by his lover, the Duke of Buckingham - a crime kept "hidden for 400 years".
It follows Mary, a woman of humble beginnings and huge ambition who sets out to exploit the King's "voracious appetite for fine wine, fine company and fine men," using her "naïvely beautiful" son George. But the duo's quest for power has consequences for their relationship.
© SKY UKThe official synopsis reads: "Always the smartest person in the room, Mary was never able to realise her full potential - until she spots an opportunity to take advantage of the king’s voracious appetite for fine wine, fine company and fine men.
"George, naïvely beautiful and charismatic, is thrust into the spotlight as his mother masterminds their pursuit of the king. Through audacious scheming and seduction, Mary and George claw their way to the centre of Court to become the most powerful family in England.
© Rory Mulvey/ SKY UK"But as George grows in power, his relationship with his mother will be pushed to the very limits. George must prove to himself that he can be defined by more than just his beauty. He must make his mark on history, no matter the consequences."
© Rory Mulvey/ SKY UKThe series features an impressive ensemble cast, including Unforgotten star Nicola Walker, Malpractice actress Niamh Algar and Queen of Hearts' Trine Dyrholm.
Sean Gilder (Sherwood, Slow Horses), Adrian Rawlins (Living, Chernobyl), Mark O'Halloran (The Miracle Club, The Virtues), Laurie Davidson (Masters of the Air, Guilty Party), Samuel Blenkin (Atlanta, The Witcher: Blood Origin) and Jacob McCarthy (SAS: Rogue Heroes, The Tragedy of Macbeth) also appear in the series.
© SKY UKRounding out the cast are Tom Victor (Consent), Alice Grant (Anthem at Almeida Theatre), Amelia Gething (Emily, The Amelia Gething Complex), Mirren Mack (The Nest, The Witcher: Blood Origin), Rina Mahoney (Happy Valley, Cobra) and Simon Russell Beale (The Death of Stalin, The Outfit).
Mary & George premieres on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Tuesday 5 March. The series arrives on Starz on 5 April in the United States.
