‘Mary & George’ Proves Pretty Privilege Was A Thing Even Back In The Day [TV REVIEW]

I’ve been seeing clips of Mary & George for quite some time on social media. The D.C. Moore created series based on work by Benjamin Woolley premiered as a Sky Original, a UK based channel, back in early March with all 7 episodes. I wasn’t crazy interested in the show although I enjoy a period piece drama every now and then, but my curiosity got the best of me after the internet cookies kept suggesting the show and offering up deals for streaming Starz. I took the bait and reinstalled my Starz subscription in order to be ready for the U.S. release date of Mary & George on Friday, April 5.

The show stars Julianne Moore as Mary Villiers, the Countess of Buckingham, who molds her easy on the eyes son George, played by current Hollywood It boy Nicholas Galitzine, to seduce King James I (Tony Curran) in order to gain power and status. The premiere episode, titled “The Second Son,” quickly sets up the dynamics of the relationship between Mary and George. Mary knows her second son serves no real purpose because he’s not the next male heir in line, but his striking good looks can be of use because beauty is power, especially for a king who craves it. George is resentful of all of this and often tries to unalive himself until he is sent off to France in an effort to refine himself and emerge into all his glory.

Nicholas Galitzine as George Villiers in “Mary & George.” Photo: Starz

George returns back to England later in the premiere episode with his doe eyes and luscious lips ready to use his pretty face to his advantage because “a body is a body.” The sexuality is fluid in this show, as it was back in those times, and while the first episode was pretty tame in my opinion, when it came to sex scenes (there was a passing orgy and full-frontal male nudity) the intimate scenes are only expected to get more graphic. I say…bring it on.

Julianne Moore as Mary Villiers in “Mary & George.” Photo: Starz

There is a list of films that I’ve seen Julianne Moore in, but I don’t think I’ve enjoyed her as much as I know I will as her playing Mary Villiers. The instance she graced the scene it was something about her presence that commanded attention and left me instantly tickled at the same time. Throughout the first episode she had so many subtle comedic moments that had me literally laughing out loud. I can’t wait to see where this character goes. As mentioned above I’ve seen clips circulating social media but in context I’m sure they will be more enjoyable.

Now on to Mr. Nicholas. I’ve seen “Bottoms” and Nic was a huge part of why that movie was so hilarious to me. I struggled through “Red, White & Royal Blue” and didn’t get the appeal of Nicholas. I’m very excited to see him in “The Idea of You” playing boy band lead Hayes Campbell next month, but I was still getting goofy when I saw him. After that Mary & George premiere I started to see what the fuss is about. Nic does a good job at playing a vulnerable and green man not sure of himself in the first half of “The Second Son” episode and by the end we get to see him at the beginning stages of homing in on the power of his pretty. I love to see it. The scenes between him and Julianne were particularly hilarious, and I can tell their dynamic is only going to get more chaotic and I can’t wait!

The only thing I hate about this show, so far, is how Starz decided to do a weekly roll out instead of dropping all the episodes because I want this story now! I want all these episodes now! Mary & George is my new obsession.

The first episode of Mary & George is now available to watch on Starz and new episodes drops Fridays through May 17.

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