Sensational period drama is sexy and sensual | TV & | UK News

‘Scandalous’, ‘steamy’, and ‘entertaining’ are phrases often used to describe the British period drama Mary & George. Created by DC Moore and based on Benjamin Woolley’s guide The King’s Assassin, the historic tv sequence has impressed critics and audiences alike.

Directed by Alex Winckler, Oliver Hermanus, and Florian Cossen, the show explores the ability dynamics of Seventeenth-century England and takes a nearer look at the relationships and energy play being orchestrated behind the scenes.

The show shines a mild on the advanced romance between James VI and I and George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. Its synopsis reads: “The story of the Countess of Buckingham who moulded her son to seduce King James I and become his all-powerful lover, through intrigue, becoming richer, more titled and influential than England has ever seen.”

Mary & George first premiered on Sky Atlantic in the United Kingdom on March 5, 2024, and stars Julianne Moore as Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham, and Nicholas Galitzine as George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. The lead pair is supported by Tony Curran, Laurie Davidson, Sean Gilder, Mark O’Halloran, and Pearl Chanda.

Speaking to IndieWire about why she took on the position, Julianne Moore said: “The character leapt off the page. This person who didn’t seem to have any kind of filter at all. She speaks everything that she’s feeling, which is unusual. It had this tone to it that was almost comedic at times, but where the stakes were really, really high. It had this wildly ambitious tone to the language, and then historically she ended up buried in Westminster Abbey. All of it felt incredibly challenging and daunting as well.”

The show boasts a smashing 94 per cent critics approval ranking on review aggregator web site Rotten Tomatoes, with one critic writing: “Starz’s latest prestige limited series, ‘Mary and George,’ is not your average historical period piece. It’s a sensational tale of sex and deception woven by the most nefarious queer mother-son pairing this side of the English Channel.”

While another reviewer commented: “Mary & George is sexy and soapy, and the show refreshingly doesn’t pretend to be anything more than what it is.”

A 3rd critic said: “Imbued with a historical kick, the new Starz limited series boasts juicy performances from Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine and a level of debauchery that makes Bridgerton look like a Sunday-school romp.”

While another counseled the lead pair: “Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine are a dynamite pair in this steamy, bitingly funny miniseries.”

Yet another daring review of the show said: “It’s a brilliant showcase of how our minds and our loins fuel one another–an arsenic-laced, horny delight.”

Viewers also had great issues to say about the seven-part miniseries, with one writing: “Exceptionally well acted, written, directed and produced. I was completely entertained by this out of the box story that is surprisingly also a connect the dots history of bawdy, literary, corrupt, royal and not so royal Jacobean England. Fascinating, relevant and fun.”

While another fan gushed: “Utterly fabulous. Glued from beginning to end. Incredible acting and love it’s based on history. SO WELL DONE.”

Mary and George is out there to stream on NOW TV.