The new series<\/a> centres on Mary and George Villiers<\/a>, played by Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine<\/a>, but the show also chronicles the relationship between George and the king, who has a penchant for alcohol, hunting and having a loyal group of favourites.<\/p>\n Chatting exclusively to RadioTimes.com<\/a> about his role in Mary & George, Curran said:\u00a0\u201cIt seems to be quite a powerful show. I\u2019m very proud to be part of it, I think it was quite an ambitious project.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a real pleasure to be part of it, to be asked to play King James which is \u2013 I\u2019ve never played anyone like him before. There was a lot of facets to that man, to that King, to that husband, to that father, to that lover. It was a riot.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued: \u201cI would look at pictures of him and think \u2018he doesn\u2019t really want to be here, he doesn\u2019t want to be sitting on that throne\u2019. I do feel like he is an under-appreciated monarch. There\u2019s the Elizabethans, the Tudors, you hear a lot more about that \u2013 but he was not a warring King.\u201d<\/p>\n As well as being the son of Mary Queen of Scots and succeeding to the Scottish throne at just 13 months old, there was a lot of tragedy and loss in James\u2019s life, Curran admits. But how was it to get into the mindset of a king for this new series?<\/p>\n Curran says: \u201cWithin all that, to get into his shoes, was very much the trauma that he suffered and I think that trauma comes to the fore with the loneliness that he feels. There\u2019s a term: Absolute power corrupts absolutely and the more power you have, sometimes the more lonely you can be.<\/p>\n \u201cI think there was a longing and a loneliness to James that we convey in the show that no matter what sort of background you come from, I think you can maybe empathise with what he was going through and the pressures. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, you know? The vulnerability of him was an important factor to touch on.\u201d<\/p> Of course, Curran is known for his roles in Mayflies<\/a> and Your Honor, and is set to star in upcoming Outlander prequel Blood of my Blood<\/a>. In Mary & George, though, we follow Curran\u2019s James as he\u2019s introduced to George.<\/p>\n After catching the king\u2019s attention, George soon becomes one of his most trusted confidantes, much to other people\u2019s dismay. The drama very much centres on this triangle of characters \u2013 George, Mary and James \u2013 as power is never far from anyone\u2019s actions, and the Villiers are soon bestowed with the highest of titles and accolades.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The series synopsis reads: \u201cAlways the smartest person in the room, Mary was never able to realise her full potential until she spots an opportunity to take advantage of the King\u2019s voracious appetite for fine wine, fine company and fine men. George, na\u00efvely beautiful and charismatic, is thrust into the spotlight as his mother masterminds their pursuit of the King.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough audacious scheming and seduction, Mary and George claw their way to the centre of Court to become the most powerful family in England. But as George grows in power, his relationship with his mother will be pushed to the very limits. George must prove to himself that he can be defined by more than just his beauty. He must make his mark on history, no matter the consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n The Mary & George cast also includes Nicola Walker (Unforgotten<\/a>), Niamh Algar (Malpractice<\/a>), Trine Dyrholm (Queen of Hearts<\/a>), as well as Sean Gilder (Shameless), Samuel Blenkin (Black Mirror) and Adrian Rawlins (Chernobyl).<\/p>\n![\"Nicholas](\"https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/MaryAndGeorgeNicholasGalitzineTonyCurran-30bc32c.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413\" "\\"Mary")
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