Tony Curran is the sort of journeyman actor you’ve seen dotted around in plenty of projects but might not necessarily know his name. Well, after “Mary & George,” you will definitely know the name of Curran, who plays King James I in the Starz mini-series.
The show follows Julianne Moore as Mary Villiers, the Countess of Buckingham, who groomed her son (Nicholas Galitzine‘s George Villiers) to seduce Curran’s King James I. The series is a delicious slice of Jacobean history and while Moore and Galitzine will receive the larger share of the plaudits, Curran’s performance should not be overlooked. He brings an appropriate gravitas to the King while also embuing a sense of vulnerability, tenderness, and pain. It’s a wonderful, full-bodied supporting role that completes a trifecta of brilliant performances in “Mary & George,” as noted by critics.
Alastair James (Attitude) proclaimed: “Tony Curran delivers a remarkable performance as King James. Few probably know much of England’s queer monarch, and here Curran gets to explore all facets of the man including his more tender and emotional side. Curran is measured in his performance boldly throwing himself into everything and creating a relatable and authentic queer character. Together and in each pair the central three cast members exhibit a wonderful and natural chemistry that helps lift the story from the page and keeps the audience engaged.”
Mark Turnbull (Historia) wrote: “The undoubted star of the show was Tony Curran in his role as King James. As the series progresses, Curran captures the emotional anguish at the king’s core. The actor’s eyes convincingly portray the scarring pain of James’s childhood, which was full of abuse, and the terror it instilled in him thereafter… I came away sensing that Curran had successfully captured an essence of the king and his complexities.”
That critical acclaim will be the bedrock of an Emmys campaign for Curran, who has never been nominated before. But TV academy voters should still be familiar with him despite that. He’s featured in many notable projects, including a trio of roles in Marvel films and TV shows: Odin’s father Bor in “Thor: The Dark World,” Derrik Weatherby in “Secret Invasion,” and Finn Cooley in “Daredevil.” He’s also had key roles in TV shows “Ray Donovan,” “Your Honor,” and “The Flash” and films “Mary Queen of Scots” and “Outlaw Kings.” Many know him best for his wonderful turn as Vincent van Gogh in “Doctor Who,” an appearance which quickly became a fan favorite for its touching and poignant storyline.
Curran’s filmography is the work of an actor who has always been solid and reliable but has never received the spotlight he deserves. That should change here as Curran bids for an Emmy bid for Best TV Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actor. This type of actor is often nominated in this category, with previous such nominees and winners including Murray Bartlett (“The White Lotus”), Steve Zahn (“The White Lotus”), Michael Stuhlbarg (“The Looming Tower”), David Thewlis (“Fargo”), Bill Camp (“The Night Of”), and Dennis O’Hare (“American Horror Story: Murder House”).
Curran’s performance is also a classic supporting one — big, bold, and scenery-chewing. These performances often get nominated in this category. Examples include Bartlett in both “Welcome to Chippendales” and “The White Lotus,” Jim Parsons in “Hollywood,” Ben Whishaw in “A Very English Scandal,” John Travolta in “The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” and Finn Wittrock in “American Horror Story: Freak Show.” Curran’s role fits in well with these ones and more.
And, typically, portraying a real person is a solid way to earn a bid in this category. Recent nominees who earned bids for depicting real people include Jesse Plemons (“Love & Death”), Richard Jenkins (“Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”), Bartlett (“Welcome to Chippendales”), Paul Walter Hauser (“Black Bird”), Seth Rogen (“Pam & Tommy”), and “Dopesick” duo Stuhlbarg and Will Poulter.
The fact that Curran is able to hold his own and match the sheer powerhouse performance of Moore and the up-and-coming allure of Galitzine is a feat that should not be overlooked. The Scottish actor has finally been given a role that matches his talents and he should be rewarded for that.
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