Mary & George: Sex, power, and the royal court – with a whole lot of butts

Forget what your high school textbooks told you about 17th-century England being all stiff collars, buttoned-up bodices and boring political manoeuvres. Mary & George, coming to M-Net (Channel 101) on Wednesday, 16 April at 10pm, is here to blow the powdered wig off that perception and replace it with something far juicier: sex, scandal, and serious ambition.

Yes, we’re talking about a historical drama where sex is not just steamy background noise – it’s practically a weapon of mass seduction. And wielding it with precision? None other than Julianne Moore (hello Oscar winner) as the fierce and fabulously conniving Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham.

Based on Benjamin Woolley’s book The King’s Assassin: The Fatal Affair of George Villiers and James I (now that’s a title that promises drama), the series is a delightfully bold retelling of how Mary orchestrated her son George’s rise to power – by pushing him into the arms (and bed) of King James I. Honestly, who needs LinkedIn when you’ve got cheekbones and court access?

Playing George is Nicholas Galitzine (yep, the one from Red, White & Royal Blue), and he’s perfectly cast as the beautiful, brooding courtier who goes from Royal Cup-Bearer (basically the guy who makes sure the king doesn’t get poisoned) to the King’s right-hand man… in all senses of the word. Tony Curran (Your Honour) plays the rather indulgent King James I, who seems more than happy to welcome George – and his, ahem, talents – into his inner circle.

If all this sounds deliciously dramatic, wait till you hear who’s directing the first three episodes: South Africa’s own Oliver Hermanus (Living, Moffie) making his TV debut with all the visual flair and simmering tension you’d expect from a big-screen auteur. Think opulence, candlelit glances, and enough lace and leather to make a Renaissance fair blush.

But don’t just take our word for it. Critics are loving it too. Melanie McFarland of Salon.com calls it “a lusty, wickedly fun gallop through history.” (Lusty gallop – now there’s a phrase you don’t hear every day.) And Sophie Butcher from Empire says of Moore’s performance: “She spits out profanities and ultimatums in a clipped, crisp accent, wearing a series of increasingly to-die-for costumes and never faltering in the face of those above her on the societal ladder.”

And perhaps the best summary comes from Christina Escobar at rogerebert.com: “Upon completion, Mary & George leaves a lingering sense of questions. Not about right or wrong but about how power works, the dangers of ego, and the nature of greed. In those aspects, the show is smart and provocative. Oh, and it shows a lot of butts too.”

So, if you’re in the mood for palace intrigue, power-hungry parents, forbidden love, and a heavy dose of 17th-century sass, Mary & George is your next watch. Set your reminders, prep your snacks, and maybe close the curtains – this one’s not shy.

Catch the premiere on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) at 10pm on Wednesday, 16 April, and stream it on DStv Catch Up or DStv Stream if you miss it. And yes, there will be butts.