From ‘shy’ rugby player to LGBTQ+ icon: Nicholas Galitzine, who ‘descends from Russian nobility’, becomes a queer heartthrob in VERY raunchy royal drama Mary and George opposite Julianne Moore

He established himself as an on-screen heartthrob after appearing in Red, White & Royal Blue, the LGBTQ+ rom-com that secured the affection of fans around the world despite being labeled ‘bland’ by critics.

Now Nicholas Galitzine, 29, looks to warm viewers’ hearts once again in his new queer period drama Mary & George, starring Hollywood’s Julianne Moore.

Based on the book The King’s Assassin by Benjamin Woolley, the Sky series tells the true story of Mary Villiers, who commissioned her charming and handsome son, George, to seduce King James VI of Scotland and I of England and kill his powerful lover. become.

The ‘dangerously daring historical psychodrama’ is a very steamy account of the private life of the eccentric King James I (played by Tony Curran), with the first trailer for the seven-part miniseries showing plenty of sex scenes and risqué moments.

It appears to be a more menacing role for Nicholas after his leading role in Red, White & Royal Blue, in which the once ‘shy boy’ played British Prince Henry who falls in love with the son of US President Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez ).

The heartthrob, who is said to be descended from Russian nobility, has been in the spotlight since his breakout role in the 2021 live-action remake of Cinderella.

His career went from strength to strength after landing a slew of roles, including opposite A-lister Anne Hathaway in Amazon Prime’s upcoming romantic drama The Idea of ​​You, which is expected to be released in late 2023 or early 2024.

Despite his success, Nicholas has not always shown an interest in becoming an actor and instead had high hopes of playing professional rugby.

He was a “shy kid” whose father urged him to act at his first acting audition, which he eventually did in an attempt to impress a girl.

London-born Nicholas, raised by his Greek mother and Russian father, thrived in his royal roles, perhaps thanks to his own impressive family lineage.

Internet sleuths have pieced together the star’s legacy to reveal that he is descended from the House of Golitsyn – one of the largest princely families under Tsar-ruled Russia.

It is thought that his own ancestors were forced to flee to Britain amid the political and social unrest of the Russian Revolution that raged between 1917 and 1923.

Nicholas, whose parents both work in finance, attended an all-boys school and grew up dreaming of becoming a professional rugby player.

By his own account, the 6-foot-2 star was hanging out with the “sporty crowd” and acting was the furthest thing from his mind.

But when he finally got into it, his family remained supportive – and Nicholas remained close to his parents and older sister Lexi, who works as an artist.

He has also frequently credited his father with “convincing” him to attend his first audition.

Speaking about his initial reluctance, he shared The last magazine: ‘At first I was very shy because the idea of ​​performing just terrified me.

“I was always a bit introverted and a shy kid, so the idea of ​​performing was terrifying, but I had just graduated and it was a fun summer vacation plan, so I auditioned for it.

‘Hilariously – my dad will never let me experience this – but I was outside the cinema and I called him up and asked, ‘What the hell am I doing here?’ I’m not an actor, I’ve never done this before, this is stupid, I have to come home.

“He convinced me that it would at least be a fun, new experience and that I would probably regret it if I didn’t do it.”

Speaking to Wonderland Magazine in 2019, he said: ‘There was a girl who went to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival who I really liked. I did [the festival] so I could chase this girl. And I came back with this acting agency.”

Nicholas said he had never considered an acting career and worried about his parents, adding: “I’m sure they were so happy after paying for my education that I was following the path of an unemployed, broke actor .’

But nevertheless, it was a career path he ultimately decided to follow and he landed his first role in the 2014 comedy-drama The Beat Beneath My Feet. Numerous other roles soon followed, including in the romantic comedy High Strung and the drama Handsome Devil.

Despite the simmering success, Nicholas undoubtedly got his big break when he was cast as Prince Robert in Amazon’s live action adaptation of Cinderella opposite Camila Cabello, who took on the role of the Disney princess.

In the wake of his Cinderella success, Nicholas then landed a starring role in Netflix’s Purple Hearts – which revolves around a troubled Marine and a strong-willed singer who fake a marriage for money despite their ideologically opposing views.

Although it was met with controversy, it quickly became the platform’s most successful title of 2022, propelling Nicholas’ career to new heights.

But throughout his success, he continued to credit his father for giving him the push he needed.

On Father’s Day 2021, Nicholas shared a photo with father Geoffrey with the caption: ‘To the man who raised me, drove me to rugby matches across the country, let me fly a plane when I was nine, convinced me to to go to the audition for the play where I would be scouted and start a career as an actor, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!

‘Your courage and your drive inspire me more than you know. You have been there for me every step of the way and I couldn’t ask for better. I love you, Big G.”

Nicholas — who has been dubbed a “queer icon” by fans after playing several LGBTQ+ character roles — has never directly addressed his own sexuality, but has previously discussed his desire to accurately represent the LGBTQ+ community.

Speaking with the Just for variety podcast about authentic casting in relation to Red, White and Royal Blue in particular, he said: ‘I think it is a very sensitive subject.

“I think the most important thing for me was to let Matthew know that I loved who Henry was as a person, and I empathized with him as a character, and I just wanted to try to give as honest a performance as possible – never a caricature – if I could.’

His latest drama, Mary & George, is set in 17th century England and chronicles George Villiers’ rise to power, aided by his ruthless mother Mary Villiers, played by Julianne Moore.

Sky Atlantic Oceanvia Country and Town House, explained: ‘Through outrageous scheming, the couple rose from humble beginnings to become the wealthiest, 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 threatened by a Spanish invasion and rioters taking to the streets to denounce the King, the stakes could not be higher.

‘Willing to stop at nothing and armed with her ruthless political steel, Mary married her way up the ranks, bribed politicians, colluded with criminals and clawed her way into the heart of the establishment, making it her own.

‘Mary & George is a dangerously daring historical psychodrama about an outrageous mother and son who plotted, seduced and murdered to conquer the court of England and the bed of King James.’