Sky has released first look pictures of its upcoming historical psychodrama Mary and George, which details the lives and calculated acts of Mary and George Villiers.
Julianne Moore (Still Alice) and Nicholas Galitzine (Purple Hearts) will play Mary and George, the mother and son who schemed, bribed, and seduced their way from penniless minor gentry to the heart of Britain’s ruling classes.
Mary acts as a puppet master to her handsome and charismatic son, as she marries and murders his way into the English Court. Once there, George works his way into King James VI’s bed, becoming his ‘favourite’ and one of the richest, most trusted, and powerful members of the 16th century royal court.
As George rose, so did his mother and siblings, with Mary successfully clawing her way into a position of political significance.
Tony Curran (Mayflies) will take the role of King James VI, with the ensemble cast made up of Nicola Walker (Unforgotten), Niamh Algar (The Wonder), Trine Dyrholm (The Legacy), Sean Gilder (Slow Horses), Adrian Rawlins (Chernobyl), Mark O’Halloran (The Miracle Club), Laurie Davidson (Guilty Party) and Samuel Blenkin (The Witcher: Blood Origin).
Jacob McCarthy (SAS: Rogue Heroes), Tom Victor (Consent), Alice Grant (Anthem at Almeida Theatre), Amelia Gething (Emily), Mirren Mack (The Witcher: Blood Origin), Rina Mahoney (Happy Valley) and Simon Russell Beale (The Death of Stalin) will also feature.
The series has been adapted from Benjamin Woolley’s non-fiction novel The Kings Assassin by Killing Eve’s DC Moore. Oliver Hermanus (Living) is lead director, with Annie Symons (My Policeman) being the mastermind behind the Jacobean costuming.
The eight-part series does not yet have a release date but will premiere on Sky Atlantic and NOW later in 2023.
