GEORGE MACKAY Man of the Moment

The whole world has fallen for this British actor – especially us!

The UK’s new leading man George MacKay is in demand these days. And after the success of his harrowing role as young soldier William Schofield in 1917, he’s picking some very different characters to play.

Next up for the 27-year-old is a little light relief: A Guide To Second Date Sex, a romantic comedy about a couple who are struggling to cope with new love.

And in case you don’t think he’s versatile, he also came Down Under to make the biopic True History of the Kelly Gang with Russell Crowe, which tells the story of legendary Australian bushranger Ned Kelly (and George single-handedly brings back the mullet). ‘I was trying to grow a beard and it just wasn’t happening,’ he laughs. ‘So the director said, “Don’t worry. We’ll give him a mullet instead.”’

HONORARY AUSSIE

The bushranger isn’t his only connection to Australia. George was born in London to an Adelaide-born dad and an English mum who both worked in theatre. Thanks to them, George began acting at a young age. ‘I absolutely loved drama as a kid and I was very passionate about it,’ he tells.

And the passion paid off early. In 2003, when he was just 10, George was discovered by a casting agent and ended up as one of the Lost Boys in the movie Peter Pan, which was filmed in Oz. (See? He’s pretty much an honorary Aussie!)