POWER games

NICHOLAS GALITZINE and JULIANNE MOORE on playing a son and mother courting controversy

- STEVEN PERKINS

MARY & GEORGE NEW TUE, 9PM, SKY ATLANTIC & SKY SHOWCASE DRAMA (BOX SET, SKY BOX SETS/NOW)

A scandalous, little-known slice of Jacobean history takes centre stage in lavish new Sky Atlantic drama Mary & George. Based on Benjamin Woolley’s 2017 non-fiction book The King’s Assassin, the seven-part series sees Oscar-winning American actor Julianne Moore portray Mary Villiers, a mother looking to improve her family’s financial security.

After learning that King James I (Mayflies star Tony Curran) is attracted to men, ambitious Mary plots for her son George (Red, White & Royal Blue’s Nicholas Galitzine) to become the new royal favourite. Sure enough, the monarch soon becomes smitten with handsome and charming George – but Mary’s battle for power is only just beginning.

The star-spangled saga also features Nicola Walker (Annika) as indomitable Lady Hatton and Niamh Algar (Malpractice) as Mary’s confidante Sandie Brookes.

Here, Julianne, 63, and Nicholas, 29, give us their take…

So, how are we introduced to Mary and George? JULIANNE