Nicholas Galitzine is set to have a massive year. The ‘Red, White and Royal Blue’ star will not only star opposite Anne Hathaway in the highly anticipated film “The Idea of You,” which is set to close SXSW 2024, but he is also the lead in the upcoming series “Mary & George.” In it, he will also star opposite another acclaimed actress, Julianne Moore.
The period drama, which doesn’t have an official premiere date but it’s expected to be released this spring, chronicles the affair between King James I and George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham. The series will be available to watch on Starz, and it’s set to compete with other shows of the genre, such as ‘Bridgerton,’ ‘The Gilded Age’ or ‘The Buccaneers.’
Curiously, this romance is referenced in Casey McQuiston’s novel that was the basis of “Red, White & Royal Blue,” in which Galitzine portrays broody Prince Henry. If you want to watch him again involved in a royal drama, here’s what you need to know about the show.
Is Mary & George based on a true story?
Yes, the series is an adaptation of The King’s Assassin by Benjamin Woolley. This nonfiction work explores the plot to assassinate King James I, orchestrated by his lover, the Duke of Buckingham and his mother, Mary Villiers, which will be portrayed by Moore.
According to the press release, Villiers influenced her son George to seduce King James VI of Scotland and I of England. Thanks to their scheming, they rose from humble beginnings to become some powerful players in the English court.
The series, which will consist of seven episodes, is described as an “historical psychodrama” which will be filled with scheming, seduction and murder from a pair that had no scruples to claw their way into the heart of the Establishment.
Who else is in the cast?
Julianne Moore stars as Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham
Nicholas Galitzine stars as George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
Tony Curran as King James I
Laurie Davidson as Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset
Trine Dyrholm as Queen Anne
Tom Victor as John Villers, 1st Viscount Purbeck
Amelia Gething as Frances Coke, Viscountess Purbeck
Sean Gilder as Sir Thomas Compton
Jacob McCarthy as Christopher “Kit” Villers, 1st Earl of Anglese
Alice Grant as Susan Villers, a.k.a Susan Feilding, Countess of Denbigh
Niamh Algar as Sandie
Nicola Walker as Elizabeth Hatton
Samuel Blenkin as King Charles I
Mirren Mack as Katherine Villiers, Duchess of Buckingham
Rina Mahoney as Laura Ashcattle
Adrian Rawlins as Sir Edward Coke
Simon Russell Beale as Sir George Villiers