‘Masterpiece’ Period Drama Is Now Streaming for Fans of The Tudors and Wolf Hall

The seven-part British historical drama Mary & George offers a provocative look at ambition, power and scandal in the early 17th century

Fans of lavish historical dramas such as The Tudors and Wolf Hall have another series to add to their watchlist.

The British period drama Mary & George, which first captivated audiences in 2024, tells the extraordinary story of two ambitious aristocrats whose rise through the British court was shaped by political manoeuvring, personal relationships and an increasingly dangerous pursuit of power.

Set from 1612 onwards, the seven-part limited series has earned strong critical praise and is available to stream on Sky and NOW in the UK.

Nicholas Galitzine and Julianne Moore lead the cast

Countess Mary Villiers schemes her way to the top (Image: SKY)

The series stars Nicholas Galitzine as George Villiers, who would become the 1st Duke of Buckingham.

Galitzine, who has gained attention for his performances in Red, White and Royal Blue and The Idea of You, stars opposite Hollywood actress Julianne Moore, who plays his mother, Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham.

The series also features Tony Curran as James VI and I, whose relationship with George becomes central to the story.

George’s connection with the king plays a crucial role in his extraordinary rise. Although historical accounts differ, he is widely understood to have been a lover of the King of England and Scotland and to have risen through the aristocracy after becoming the monarch’s favourite.

A story of ambition, sex and political intrigue

Created by D. C. Moore and inspired by Benjamin Woolley’s book The King’s Assassin, Mary & George takes an intentionally bold approach to its historical subject matter.

At its centre is the relationship between Mary and her son as they attempt to secure their place at the top of Britain’s 17th-century social hierarchy.

The drama explores the intricate combination of sex, politics and scheming that helped drive their ambitions before their spectacular fall from grace.

Its provocative approach has also become one of its defining characteristics. The series contains explicit scenes, nudity and strong language, so it may not appeal to every viewer.

Critics and viewers have praised the series

Nicholas Galitzine is fast becoming an A-list star (Image: SKY)

The drama received five stars from The Guardian and holds a 94 percent critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it among the more highly regarded costume dramas of recent years.

Viewers have also responded enthusiastically.

One IMDb reviewer called the series a “worthy sequel to THE TUDORS”, praising its exploration of relationships, ambition and power. The same viewer noted that the story’s themes could easily fit into a modern setting, despite being rooted in the early 1600s.

The show’s frank use of profanity and sex was also highlighted as something that distinguishes it from more traditional historical dramas. According to the reviewer, its bawdy approach helps capture the atmosphere associated with James’s court while offering a distinctive portrayal of England at the beginning of the 17th century.

Another viewer praised the show’s “masterful storytelling”, comparing it to a seven-hour film with a theatrical quality and highlighting its performances, particularly Julianne Moore’s portrayal of Mary.

A separate enthusiastic review described being “hooked from the opening scene”, while praising Moore, the costumes, sets and acting. The viewer also recommended the series to fans of historical dramas, while acknowledging that its graphic content may be too much for some audiences.

Where to watch Mary & George

With all seven episodes available, Mary & George offers a complete limited-series story for viewers looking for a historical drama filled with aristocratic ambition, political intrigue and scandal.

Mary & George is available to stream on Sky and NOW in the UK.