The new Sky drama Mary & George is a riveting treat for history buffs and fans of actor Nicholas Galitzine who seems to be having a moment in show business right now.
The royal drama miniseries created by the ingenious mind D.C. Moore and helmed by Oliver Hermanus, Alex Winckler and Florian Cossen takes viewers to the early 1600s into the world of intrigue, ambition, power and almost infectious sexual energy. The plot unfurls the saga of Mary Villiers, portrayed by the captivating Julianne Moore, and her magnetic son, George, brought to life by Nicholas Galitzine. Together, they concoct a daring scheme – sex, flattery and charm – to ascend to the highest ranks of the aristocratic hierarchy.
Drawing inspiration from Benjamin Woolley’s gripping book, The King’s Assassin: The Fatal Affair of George Villiers and James I, this Jacobean-era masterpiece traces George’s improbable rise from relative nobility to the esteemed chambers of King James VI and I in 1615. However, as the title of Woolley’s book subtly hints, the narrative takes a perilous turn.
So, what’s the true story behind Mary and George Villiers’ royal game? Here’s unravelling the enigma that surrounds this provocative drama and everything else you need to know about these historical figures.
Mary and George Villiers: Were they real people?
Indeed, Mary and George Villiers were rather significant figures in history, and the web series Mary & George draws heavily from the mother and son’s remarkable story. In 1603, with James VI‘s ascension to the English throne, a wave of Scottish courtiers flooded the royal court, raising concerns among English courtiers about the lack of English influence. Sensing an opportunity, the duo conspired to introduce George Villiers to the king’s inner circle, with the unwavering support of his mother, Mary Villiers.
By 1614/15, George had captured the king’s attention, soon becoming his favourite, securing a prominent place in court and reaching unprecedented heights of power.
Separating facts from fiction: Is ‘Mary & George’ a true story?
Yes, Mary & George draws extensively from historical accounts, finding its origins in Benjamin Woolley’s 2017 book The King’s Assassin: The Fatal Affair of George Villiers and James I. Woolley stumbled upon the story of Mary and George during his research on the death of King James VI and I.
The drama plunges viewers into the early life of George Villiers, the second son of a family straddling the fringes of royal favour. His mother Mary Villiers’ thirst for status and power propels her son’s ascent.
Mary’s relentless ambition shaped George’s trajectory. Following the demise of her first husband, also named George, she strategically entered into two advantageous marriages, allowing her to settle debts and climb the social ladder. Among her children, she identified George’s charm and allure as key assets for success. Drawing closer to court circles, she orchestrated his journey from France, where he honed courtly manners, to the royal court, where he captivated King James’s attention who was believed to be queer and having a special affinity towards cultured young men.
Woolley sheds light on James’s relationships with young Scottish men, highlighting the absence of English companions in his inner circle. George, wielded as a tool by Mary, seamlessly filled this void, rising to prominence with remarkable efficacy.
The convergence of historical accounts and dramatic portrayal in Mary & George offers an intriguing glimpse into a tumultuous era, where ambition and power intertwine with the threads of reality and sexuality.
‘The Idea Of You’ True Story: Is The Upcoming Rom-Com Based On Harry Styles?
The True Story Behind ‘American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders’ Crime Documentary
King James VI and I’s relationship with George Villiers and other favourites
Dubbed ‘the cradle king’, King James VI and I’s (portrayed by Tony Curran) ascent to the Scottish throne at just 13 months old was marred by instability, marked by the tragic murder of his father, Lord Darnley, and the captivity and execution of his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots. From a young age, James was groomed to believe in his divine right as God’s representative on earth, fostering an intellectual prowess that shaped his reign.
In Mary & George, audiences encounter James in his later years, after his ascension to the English throne, portrayed with a blend of loudness, vulnerability and neurosis. The period drama unveils his intimate relationships with male favourites, hinting at the complexities that permeated behind the closed doors of his bedchamber.
The fateful encounter between King James and George Villiers took place at the esteemed Apethorpe estate in Northamptonshire during a royal visit in 1614. George, introduced as a cupbearer, swiftly caught the king’s attention with his mesmerising dance moves, sparking a bond that would challenge the reign of James’s existing favourite, the Scottish noble, Earl of Somerset, Robert Carr (played by Laurie Davidson).
Despite the ambiguity, James and his favourites wielded considerable influence, shaping royal policy and acting as conduits between the king and his court.
As Mary & George unravels the intricate dynamics between the monarch and his favourites, it delves into a realm where political alliances blur with personal attachments.
Mary and George Villiers’ alleged role in the King’s demise
View this post on Instagram
The passing of King James at Theobalds Palace in Hertfordshire on 27 March 1625 remains shrouded in ambiguity. Official records attribute his death to dysentery, compounded by prevalent diseases of the time such as malaria or typhus. Yet, the mysterious circumstances surrounding his final days fuelled rampant speculation.
Amidst the whispers and conjecture, the presence of Mary and George Villiers in the king’s sick room became a focal point for their political adversaries. Allegations swirled, accusing the mother-son duo of poisoning the King and orchestrating his demise, a notion underscored by scholars Alastair Bellany and Thomas Cogswell in BBC History Magazine.
The intrigue deepens as Benjamin Woolley delves into the treatments administered to manage James’s condition. Despite the king’s disdain for conventional medicine, George Villiers, in consultation with his mother, procured a plaster purportedly to alleviate the king’s suffering. This clandestine intervention raised suspicions and cast a shadow over the Villiers family.
In the aftermath of James’s passing, George faced outright accusations of regicide, with Woolley conceding the likelihood of his involvement in the king’s demise. However, conclusive evidence remains elusive, leaving the historical royal narrative veiled in uncertainty.
Where to watch ‘Mary & George’
Mary & George is currently airing on Sky Atlantic, released in the UK and Australia on 5 March 2024, with a forthcoming debut on Starz in the US on 5 April.
The cast of this royal drama miniseries includes 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 and Khalil Ben Gharbia as Jean among other supporting actors.
Best Period Dramas To Watch While Waiting For ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3
11 Chinese Period Dramas To Stream Instead Of Your Usual K-Dramas
Meanwhile, check out the trailer for ‘Mary & George’ below:
(Header and feature image courtesy: IMDb/Mary & George)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Is Mary & George based on a true story?
Yes, Mary & George is inspired by real historical events surrounding Mary and George Villiers, as documented in Benjamin Woolley’s book, The King’s Assassin: The Fatal Affair of George Villiers and James I.
– Where can I watch Mary & George?
Mary & George is airing on Sky Atlantic in the UK and Australia and will be available on Starz in the US starting April 5.
– Who was Mary Villiers?
Mary Villiers was an ambitious figure in the Jacobean era, known for her strategic manoeuvres to elevate her family’s status. She orchestrated her son George Villiers’ rise to power in the royal court by charming his way to King James VI and I’s heart and bed, as depicted in Mary & George.
