Fans of acclaimed historical dramas like The Tudors should definitely check out this acclaimed recent series on Sky. A British historical drama that's similar to the BBC's epic 16th Century series The Tudors is a must-watch for Sky streamers.
An Outrageously Entertaining Period Piece
Beginning in 1612, this outrageously entertaining and boundary-pushing account of two prominent aristocrats thrilled viewers back in 2024 and is highly recommended as a bingeable limited series. The seven-part drama is led by rising star Nicholas Galitzine, who has become a talent to watch out for thanks to his iconic roles in Red, White and Royal Blue and The Idea of You, as well as taking on the highly anticipated blockbuster He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.
Star-Studded Cast
Galitzine stars as George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, opposite Hollywood legend Julianne Moore (Sirens, May December) as his mother Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham. The eye-opening series delves into George's complex relationship with James VI and I (played by Tony Curran). While historical accounts differ, he is widely believed to have been a lover of the King of England and Scotland who rose through the ranks of the British nobility thanks to his role as the King's 'favourite'.
Critical Acclaim
Mary & George, created by D. C. Moore and inspired by Benjamin Woolley's book The King's Assassin, offers an exaggerated and raunchy portrayal of the intricate web of sex, politics, and intrigue that took the determined mother and son duo to the top of Britain's 17th Century hierarchy before a cataclysmic downfall. It received five stars from The Guardian and an incredible 94 percent critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so fans can rest assured it's one of the finest costume dramas to hit screens in recent years - just be prepared for plenty of explicit scenes and colourful language.
Fan Reactions
One very positive review from an IMDb user calls Mary & George 'a worthy sequel to THE TUDORS' and adds: 'This is a very enjoyable and enlightening drama about relationships, ambition and power. The story could be set in Wall Street, Dallas or modern day London but it's in the fascinating and dynamic days of the early 1600s.'
'What makes this different to the historical dramas we're used to [is the] profundity of swearing and quite a lot of sex,' they warned. 'That might put a few people off but its bawdy script does capture a certain mood which was a characteristic of James' court. It is therefore a refreshingly accurate depiction of England at the start of the seventeenth century and good fun.'
Someone else praised the series' 'masterful storytelling', calling it a 'theatrical quality level 7 hour film' with 'superb performances' led by a 'very juicy [and] diabolical' Moore. And a final fan 'absolutely loved' it and was 'hooked from the opening scene'. They went on: 'Julianne Moore is wonderful as always in her role as Mary. The costuming and sets are wonderful as so is the acting. I don't have any problem with the script.'
Where to Watch
All seven episodes are available to watch on Sky in the UK and it comes strongly recommended from enthusiasts of other historical series such as The Tudors and Wolf Hall. Mary & George is available to stream on Sky and NOW.
