Have you seen that trailer? Yes, Mary & George is the latest period drama to hit our screens, so get set to grab the popcorn and binge-watch the lot on Sky Atlantic. Expect treachery, schemes, and plots so twisted, we could hardly believe it was based on a true story, but do you know what we could believe? That our very own Kent was once again chosen as one of the starring locations.
Telling the true story of Mary Villiers and her son, George as they rose from rags to riches through ruthlessness and seduction to ultimately become some of the most influential and trusted people within the Court of England, Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine had us glued to our seats, while the likes of Dover Castle and Knole had us screaming, “I’ve been there, I’ve been there!”
Ready to be starstruck? Read on…
For even more information about filming for Mary & George, plus many more of Kent's on-screen roles, be sure to check out the The Kent Film Office.
(c) John Miller
Knole
You know the drill, they tell us the setting is King James’ Palace but we know those impressive halls and sumptuous interiors can be found at none other than the National Trust’s Knole in Sevenoaks. While it was never the home of King James, Knole was an important residence, built in 1456 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and later a royal residence for King Henry VIII. At the time of King James I’s rule, this stunning stately home was in the hands of the Sackville family, and oh boy, did they use it to show off their wealth and status! Visit the manor today and you’ll still see that world class collection of Royal Stuart furniture, textiles and paintings, plus letters written at the time of Mary and George.
Dover Castle
High up on those White Cliffs, our very own Dover Castle is an icon in its own right, but for this production, it stood in for a very different British landmark, The Tower of London. As the Tower, it makes quite the impression, with characters sent here to meet their fate, face imprisonment, or worse still, the axe. This English Heritage castle has a history dating back far beyond the Jacobean period, built in the 1180s under Henry II’s reign, with must-sees including the Medieval tower, Roman ruins and secret World War II tunnels, which were actually the setting for Operation Dynamo, the plan to evacuate Dunkirk, but that’s a story for another time...
Cobham Hall
Set in 150 acres of Grade II listed parkland, with a historic house at its heart, Cobham Hall made for another perfect location for this epic period drama. But as a private school, we’re afraid this one if off limits to visitors hoping for a closer look at some of those incredible sets. Instead, we recommend taking a peek through their back catalogue of starring roles in the likes of the Hetty Feather series, The Crown and High End Yaariyaan in which the Hall’s ballroom, library, formal gardens and cobbled courtyards can all be spotted.
Don't fancy setting the remote down just yet? Take a look at more of Kent's starring roles...
