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Mary & George parents guide: This LGBTQ+ period drama is not one for the kids

If you were thinking about watching Mary & George with the kids around, think again. This series deserves its TV-MA rating.

By Alexandria Ingham

Mary & George is inspired by the unbelievable true story of Mary Villiers, who moulded her beautiful and charismatic son, George, to seduce King James VI of Scotland and I of England and become his all-powerful lover. Through outrageous scheming, the pair rose from humble beginnings to become the richest, most titled and influential players the English court had ever seen, and the King’s most trusted advisors. And with England’s place on the world stage under threat from a Spanish invasion
Mary & George is inspired by the unbelievable true story of Mary Villiers, who moulded her beautiful and charismatic son, George, to seduce King James VI of Scotland and I of England and become his all-powerful lover. Through outrageous scheming, the pair rose from humble beginnings to become the richest, most titled and influential players the English court had ever seen, and the King’s most trusted advisors. And with England’s place on the world stage under threat from a Spanish invasion /
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When it comes to period dramas, Starz has a niche. Mary & George is the latest series to fill that niche, bringing us a gay love affair between George Villiers and King James I of England.

This is definitely a series fans of British history will want to check out. It is loosely based on real events. Yes, King James has been connected to George Villiers. There are books by historians about it. This series does add fictional events to the story, though. After all, it is a drama series, and we don’t know all the conversations that went on behind closed doors.

The series itself is rated TV-MA, and it certainly earns that rating in just the first episode alone. Things only get more graphic and gratuitous throughout the limited series, though we won't spoil episodes past the premiere.

Mary & George parents guide: Explaining the TV-MA rating

If you know Starz shows, you have an idea of what to expect. Starz doesn’t shy away from the realities of love and violence. That’s what we see in Mary & George.

Sex & nudity: Don’t expect the series to shy away from the sex in the story. After all, this is all about an LGBTQ+ love affair. The sex starts from the very beginning of the series as George seduces the king. While the sex scenes are on the gratuitous side, they are not distasteful or exploitative. They are real and exciting. Expect a lot of naked bodies of all shapes and sizes, and plenty of orgies and more LGBTQ+ pairings.

Violence: As with anything set during the Stuart dynasty, there is a lot of violence and gore. This was a time when executions were a public spectacle. In the first scene alone, there is a bloody birth and a hanging. The show does not shy away from the realities of the time period. Later episodes do get more graphic when it comes to violence as the are more betrayals, more conspiracies, and more executions.

Language: The opening moments of the series give you an idea of the language to expect in this series. The F-bomb is dropped multiple times, and it continues like this. The only word I’ve not heard is the C-word.

Alcohol & drugs: Drinking is everywhere in Mary & George. In case you don't know, alcohol was safer than water during the time period, and it’s something that was accessible to many. They didn’t have health warnings at the time. Drug use is minimal.

Overall verdict: Who is Mary & George appropriate for?

This series is not one for children. I wouldn’t even recommend it for older teenagers. It’s packed full of visual, thrilling sex, bloody violence, and conniving characters. It’s a fun romp, though, and it’s a wonderful LGBTQ+ series that should be added to your list. Just not the list that doubles as your family's streaming queue.

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Mary & George airs Fridays on Starz.

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