Julianne Moore opens up about the pressure and freedom of playing a real-life villain in her scandalous new historical drama

EntertainmentTVDrama ShowsJulianne Moore opens up about the pressure and freedom of playing a real-life villain in her scandalous new historical dramaWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. EntertainmentTVDrama ShowsJulianne Moore opens up about the pressure and freedom of playing a real-life villain in her scandalous new historical dramaWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: SKY UK) Just months afterMay Decemberhit our screens, Julianne Moore is back playing another unconventional mother. But this time, she’s tackling historical drama as 1600s momager Mary Villers. The real-life historical figure is the subject of a new Sky series, Mary & George, which follows Jacobean Countess Mary Villers, known for coercing her son into having a sexual relationship with King James VI of Scotland and I of England for financial gain and power. It is easy to paint Mary as a villain due to her inappropriate parenting techniques and the exploitation of her son. But despite her complexities, Moore approached the character with empathy and brought a human aspect to Mary. Moore tells GamesRadar+, “She was someone who did struggle against what the expectations were for her.” “I think she’s someone who has, at this point in her life, has got these young adult children that she has to place, she has to care for. And I think as a parent, we all have concerns about how our children will do and how we’ll educate them.” Born into humble beginnings, the real Mary understood her disadvantage as a woman in the Jacobean times and did everything in her power to be independent for herself and her children. Often regarded as the smartest person in the room, Mary married her way up the ranks, bribed politicians, and colluded with criminals in order for her and George to become influential players in the English court and the King’s most trusted advisors. Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox Moore explains: “I think when you are up against an actual memory or real person, it’s much more difficult as an actor because you have a responsibility to be as exact as possible because people won’t believe you unless you match the cadence of the person’s movements, that physicality. When there is no memory, you have a lot of freedom.” Mary & George is available to watch now on Sky Atlantic and is streaming on NOW in the UK, and will hit Starz on April 5 in the US. For more, check out our rankings of thebest TV showsof all time, or keep up to date withupcoming TV showsheading your way this year. 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