Missed The Great? Its Perfect Replacement with 95% Tomatometer is Already on Hulu

In 2023, all fans of historical dramas received bad news – Hulu canceled The Great with Elle Fanning after the third season. The news shocked viewers – the show had high ratings and nothing foreshadowed that the story of an undoubtedly outstanding project would be so short.

As The Great proved, what is happening with history in cinema and TV today is the same as with adaptations of literary classics several years ago: both directors and viewers are clearly fed up with the literal reproduction of the classic texts and historical facts.

Instead of transferring history directly to the screen, the concept of interpretation is making a comeback, which means looking for points of contact between a classical text and modernity.

On April 5, a project was released that follows this approach and can fill the void in the hearts of those who still miss The Great.

What is Mary & George About?

The miniseries Mary & George is based on a very real story: England and Scotland are ruled for the first time by a common king – James I. Everyone knows his preferences, and the affairs of the court are run by his favorite, the Earl of Somerset.

At this time, somewhere in the provinces, Lady Mary Villiers becomes a widow – and finds herself in an almost hopeless situation. The marriage was poor and unhappy; before he died, the grumpy husband left the house to his brother; the eldest son was born with a mental illness, and there's a string of younger offspring behind him; moreover, Mary herself is hiding a terrible secret.

But Lady Villiers is a calculating woman who is finally free to run her own life. She has a simple plan: place her second son, the handsome George, at the royal court and use him to climb the social ladder.

Mary & George Has an Impressive Cast

Julianne Moore is at her most comfortable as an ambitious, mature woman in a cruel world of men and rules. Lady Mary is a shark who will stop at nothing to get what she wants, and the actress perfectly conveys the caution and analytical mind of her heroine. Another reason to watch the show is George – he's played by Nicholas Galitzine, Britain's fast rising star.

Mary & George is a Spicy Historical Drama

Another key component of the series is passion. "Bodies are just bodies," George learns while studying in France, and the language of the show confirms it. In court intrigue, the body, beauty and youth are exactly the same resources as connections and money.

One of the screenwriters of Mary & George is D.C. Moore, one of the authors of Killing Eve. However, there will be no charming killers, but medieval hunting, blackmail, brothels, sex, revenge and murder, in general, everything that people enjoyed 400 years ago.

Where to Stream Mary & George?

Episodes of Mary & George air every Friday and are available on Hulu and Prime Video.