So let’s break down the true story behind Mary & George, explore the cast and characters, dive into the episodes, and unpack what it all says about power, ambition, and desire at the English court.
The Real History Behind Mary and George
The series is based on Benjamin Woolley’s nonfiction book The King’s Assassin: The Fatal Affair of George Villiers and James I. The core of the story is this: Mary Villiers, a widowed mother from a not-so-powerful family, decided her path to power would be through her beautiful son, George. She set him up to catch the attention of King James I of England.
And it worked, spectacularly.
George Villiers rose from obscurity to become the Duke of Buckingham, the King’s favorite, and one of the most powerful men in the kingdom. Mary, meanwhile, maneuvered her way into wealth, titles, and influence. The court whispered, the politicians fumed, and the scandals piled up.
What makes this story fascinating is that it isn’t just royal gossip, it changed history. George Villiers wasn’t just arm candy for a lonely king. He influenced politics, foreign policy, and even wars. And Mary? She pulled strings every step of the way.
How Much of Mary & George Is True?
Like any prestige drama, the series takes creative liberties. Historical records confirm James I had intimate relationships with several male favorites, and George Villiers was certainly one of them. The love letters, the lavish gifts, and the political promotions all point to something far deeper than just friendship.
But the show leans into the steamy, sometimes outrageous side of things. Did Mary literally teach George how to seduce the King? The historical record is less explicit, but her ambition and role in orchestrating George’s rise are well-documented.
Here’s the rule of thumb: the ambition, the scandal, the rise to power, all true. The dialogue, the exact bedroom scenes, the step-by-step coaching, that’s where dramatization fills in the gaps.
Mary Villiers: Julianne Moore’s Razor-Sharp Performance
Julianne Moore plays Mary Villiers with a chilling mix of elegance and ruthlessness. She’s not the doting mother you’d expect, she’s a strategist, a survivor, and, frankly, a shark.
History paints Mary as fiercely ambitious. After her second husband’s death, she clawed her way up by arranging marriages, forging alliances, and using her children as pieces on the chessboard of power. Her goal wasn’t just comfort, it was dominance in a world where women weren’t supposed to wield that kind of control.
Moore nails that duality: Mary is both protective and exploitative of George. She’s grooming him for power while constantly reminding him he owes it all to her. The performance is one of those “sit back and just watch the master work” situations.
George Villiers: Nicholas Galitzine Steps Into the Spotlight
Nicholas Galitzine has been on a hot streak, Red, White & Royal Blue, Purple Hearts, and now Mary & George. Here, he sheds the charming boy-next-door image to play George Villiers, the man who seduced a king.
In real life, George Villiers wasn’t just a pretty face. He became the Duke of Buckingham, was showered with wealth, and essentially became the second most powerful man in England. He was also deeply unpopular among nobles, Parliament, and the public. His influence led to disastrous foreign policies, and he was eventually assassinated in 1628.
Galitzine plays George with a mix of vulnerability and arrogance, perfect for a man constantly balancing genuine intimacy with the King and ruthless political ambition. The show doesn’t shy away from the tension: was George really in love, or just doing his mother’s bidding?
King James I: Desire and Dependence
Tony Curran portrays King James I, and he’s not your standard regal monarch. This James is needy, lustful, and often insecure. That might sound like dramatic exaggeration, but honestly? It’s pretty accurate.
Historically, James I was known for his relationships with young male courtiers, most notably Robert Carr and George Villiers. His affection for George was intense, he once called him “my sweet child and wife.” That’s not a metaphor you forget.
In Mary & George, James is shown as both powerful and pitiable. He’s the King, but he’s also desperate for love, flattery, and physical affection. That desperation made him vulnerable, which Mary and George exploited.
Did George Love King James?
This is one of the big questions both the show and history wrestle with. Did George Villiers truly love King James, or was it all manipulation?
Letters from James to George are undeniably affectionate, even romantic. George’s responses are more restrained, which fuels the debate. Some historians argue George cared for James in his own way but was primarily motivated by ambition. Others suggest the relationship was genuine but complicated by the politics of the time.
The show leans into the ambiguity. At times, George seems genuinely torn, wanting power but also caught in real affection. And honestly, that’s what makes it compelling.
Did George Villiers Marry?
Yes, George Villiers married Lady Katherine Manners in 1620. She was one of the wealthiest women in England, and the marriage cemented his status. They had several children, ensuring the Villiers line continued even after his assassination.
In the series, his marriage isn’t ignored, but it’s overshadowed by his entanglement with James. Which makes sense, the marriage was politically important, but the relationship with the King was the heart of George’s power.
The Point of Mary & George: Themes That Hit Hard
So what’s the point of all this royal scheming, sex, and betrayal? At its core, Mary & George is about ambition and survival in a world where love and power are constantly colliding.
Ambition and Manipulation: Mary embodies the idea that power isn’t given, it’s taken. Her use of George as a pawn is both horrifying and oddly admirable.
Love vs. Strategy: George’s relationship with James is constantly on the edge of sincerity and strategy, showing how messy power dynamics can get when intimacy is involved.
Corruption at Court: The series doesn’t glamorize the royal court, it shows it as toxic, dangerous, and driven by self-interest.
It’s a reminder that the hunger for influence is timeless. Swap the crowns for corporate offices, and you’d still recognize the dynamics.
Episodes: A Quick Breakdown
The series is seven episodes long, and each chapter builds on George’s rise:
Mary’s Plan: Introduces Mary’s ambition and George’s transformation into a courtly seducer.
Catching the King’s Eye: George enters court and begins his ascent.
The Favorite: James and George’s relationship deepens, sparking jealousy.
Marriage and Maneuvering: George’s wedding complicates his bond with James.
Enemies Everywhere: Nobles and Parliament push back against George’s influence.
The Breaking Point: Power struggles escalate; Mary faces consequences.
Legacy and Loss: The conclusion sets up George’s eventual downfall, even as he cements his place in history.
Each episode balances historical beats with modern-style tension, keeping it binge-worthy while rooted in real events.
Cinematic Style: Costumes, Lighting, and Tone
One thing that stands out in Mary & George is how lush it looks. The costumes drip with extravagance, the sets feel authentic, and the cinematography leans into candlelit intimacy.
But it’s not just pretty. The direction emphasizes contrast, public grandeur versus private desperation. In crowded court scenes, George looks like a jewel; in intimate moments, he looks trapped. That kind of visual storytelling adds layers beyond the dialogue.
Trailer, Reception, and Why It Stands Out
The trailer set the tone early: this wasn’t your grandmother’s historical drama. It was sharp, provocative, and unapologetically sexual. Some critics praised its boldness, while others felt it leaned too much into scandal at the expense of subtlety.
But love it or hate it, the show got people talking. And in today’s crowded streaming landscape, that’s half the battle.
Why This Story Resonates Today
At first glance, Mary & George might feel like distant history. But peel it back, and you see themes that still matter:
How ambition drives people to use those closest to them.
How love and power can be hopelessly entangled.
How the pursuit of influence often ends in tragedy.
It’s a cautionary tale wrapped in a sexy, scandalous package. And maybe that’s why it hits so hard, it feels both alien and familiar.
Final Thoughts
Mary & George is the kind of show that makes you want to fact-check after every episode. Did that really happen? Was it really that intense? And while not every detail is historically exact, the heart of it is: Mary and George Villiers rose from nothing to reshape the English court through seduction, ambition, and ruthless strategy.
Julianne Moore delivers one of her sharpest performances in years, Nicholas Galitzine proves he can handle complex, adult roles, and Tony Curran gives us a King James who feels painfully human.
If you’re into prestige dramas with a dangerous edge, think The Favourite meets House of Cards, this is one worth watching.
I am Jeremy Jahns – Your Cinematic Explorer
Immerse in movie reviews, Hollywood insights, and behind-the-scenes stories.