British actor (born 1992)
George MacKay
Born George Andrew J. MacKay
[ 1] (1992-03-13 ) 13 March 1992 (age 32) Occupation Actor Years active 2002–present Spouse
Children 2
George Andrew J. MacKay (;[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] born 13 March 1992) is an English actor. He began his career as a child actor in Peter Pan (2003). He had starring roles in the British war drama Private Peaceful (2012), the romantic film How I Live Now (2013), For Those in Peril (2013), for which he won a BAFTA Scotland Award and was nominated for the BAFTA Rising Star Award , and Marrowbone (2017). He gained wider recognition for his leading role in the war film 1917 (2019) and won a British Independent Film Award for his performance in Femme (2023) .
Early life and education
MacKay was born in Hammersmith , London to Kim Baker, a British costume designer from London, and Paul MacKay, an Australian working in lighting and stage management. He grew up in Barnes with his younger sister.[ 5] [ 6] [ 7] [ 8] He is of Irish descent on his mother's side, his maternal grandmother being from Cork .[ 9]
MacKay attended The Harrodian School , a private school in London.[ 10] When he was 17, he unsuccessfully auditioned for entrance to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art .[ 11]
Career
2002–2012: Child acting
MacKay at the premiere for The Boys are Back in 2009
In 2002, MacKay was spotted at school by an acting scout who asked him to audition for a role in P. J. Hogan 's 2003 film adaptation of Peter Pan . He attended a workshop and won the role of one of the Lost Boys , Curly, in what was his first professional acting job.
In 2005, at the age of 13, he won the role of Riccio in The Thief Lord , the film adaptation of Cornelia Funke 's best-selling children's novel. He was also cast in the lead role in Johnny and the Bomb , a BBC three-part television drama adapted from Terry Pratchett 's novel of the same name . MacKay also had some work in television, including roles in Rose and Maloney , Footprints in the Snow and The Brief . In the 2008 film Defiance , MacKay played Aron , the youngest of the four Bielski brothers . In 2009 he portrayed Harry in The Boys Are Back starring Clive Owen . MacKay co-starred in the Marc Evans -directed musical film Hunky Dory opposite Minnie Driver , Aneurin Barnard and Kimberley Nixon , which is set in 1970s Swansea .[ 12]
2012–present
In 2012, he played the main character, Private Tommo Peaceful, in Private Peaceful , and appeared as a paralyzed soldier in the inspirational film The Best of Men .[ 13] In 2013, MacKay portrayed Eddie in How I Live Now opposite Saoirse Ronan and directed by Kevin Macdonald , and starred as Davy in the musical film Sunshine on Leith , featuring songs by The Proclaimers , directed by Dexter Fletcher . In 2014, MacKay played the role of Joe, a 20-year-old struggling to come out in a homophobic Britain in 1984 in the film Pride (based on a true story) also starring Bill Nighy .
MacKay at the Premiere for Pride in 2014
In 2015, Mackay took the lead role as Richard Miller in Eugene O'Neill 's coming-of-age play, Ah, Wilderness! directed by Natalie Abrahami at Young Vic . In July 2015, MacKay filled the title role of Lewis Aldridge in the BBC's two-part television adaptation of Sadie Jones ’ debut novel The Outcast .[ 14] In February 2016, he portrayed the part of Bill Turcotte in the Hulu production of Stephen King 's sci-fi/thriller 11.22.63 .
From 29 March to 14 May 2016, MacKay performed the part of Mick in Harold Pinter 's play The Caretaker directed by Matthew Warchus at The Old Vic Theatre in London opposite Timothy Spall and Daniel Mays . In the 2016 film Captain Fantastic , MacKay portrayed Bodevan, eldest son of Ben Cash (Viggo Mortensen ). In 2017, he played Jack, the main character in Marrowbone , a psychological horror film directed and written by Sergio G. Sánchez , and also starring Anya Taylor-Joy , Charlie Heaton and Mia Goth . MacKay portrayed Prince Hamlet in Ophelia , a 2018 film retelling the story of Shakespeare's play from the perspective of the young female character Ophelia . The film premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival , and included Daisy Ridley , Naomi Watts , Clive Owen , and Tom Felton in the cast. In the 2018 film Where Hands Touch , MacKay portrayed Lutz, a member of the Hitler Youth in Nazi Germany who falls in love with a biracial girl, portrayed by Amandla Stenberg .
In a 2019 release, MacKay interpreted the role of outlaw Ned Kelly in True History of the Kelly Gang , directed by Justin Kurzel .[ 15] Adapted from the novel of the same name by Peter Carey , the film premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival .[ 16] That same year, MacKay played the lead role of lance corporal William Schofield, a young British World War I soldier in 1917 , directed by Sam Mendes .[ 17] 1917 was nominated for Best Picture in the 92nd Academy Awards , along with nominations in nine other categories, winning three technical awards.[ 18] MacKay stars in Nathalie Biancheri's film Wolf alongside Lily-Rose Depp , for which principal photography began in Ireland in August 2020.[ 19] The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2021 as the entry for Ireland ,[ 20] and was theatrically released in December 2021.[ 21] His acting in Wolf was called by IndieWire as "the best performance of his still-rising career".[ 22]
In October 2021, MacKay was cast in a Golden Age musical film The End along with Tilda Swinton and Stephen Graham, directed by Joshua Oppenheimer,[ 23] and in 2022, he starred in Christian Schwochow 's film Munich – The Edge of War for Netflix .[ 24] In 2023, Mackay starred in LGBT revenge thriller Femme alongside Nathan Stewart-Jarrett , for which he won Best Joint Lead Performance in the British Independent Film Awards .[ 25] Also in 2023 MacKay starred in the science fiction film The Beast .[ 26]
MacKay at the premiere for How I Live Now in 2013
MacKay cites actors Eddie Marsan and Viggo Mortensen as influences for his work.[ 27] [ 28] He credits Marsan as an influence in pursuing acting full-time.[ 29] MacKay describes acting as being "done ultimately in a very safe environment" and "rooted in some kind of experience."[ 1] MacKay has been called a method actor by several publications.[ 30] [ 31] Flaunt writer Elizabeth Aubrey stated that MacKay's roles are "chosen by a desire to push the boundaries of storytelling, to ask challenging questions about identity, and leave audiences with more questions than answers via stories that start important cultural conversations."[ 28] The Last Magazine writer Jonathan Shia called MacKay's body of work "notable for both its length and its breadth."[ 32] The Independent writer Alexandra Pollard wrote that MacKay's roles are tactically "chosen to broaden his perspective on the world" and that he is "clearly intensely thoughtful, in both conversation and in his career."[ 33]
Personal life
In November 2023, Mackay married his long-term girlfriend Doone Forsyth,[ 34] a makeup artist and hair stylist, with whom he has two children. The couple met on the set of 1917 .[ 35]
In January 2023, Mackay was one of almost 100 film and TV industry figures in the UK to sign a letter calling on the government to take "immediate action" against Iran's executions.[ 36]
Works
Key
†
Denotes projects that have not yet been released
Film
Television
Stage
Audio
Awards and nominations
Notes
References
^ a b "GEORGE MACKAY: "YOU CAN'T DREAM UP SOMETHING YOU HAVEN'T FELT" " . The Talks . 13 May 2020. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021 .
^ Wells, John C. (2008). "Mackay, McKay". Longman Pronunciation Dictionary (3rd ed.). Longman. ISBN 978-1-4058-8118-0 . (i) mə ˈkaɪ [...] In British English usually (i).
^ Jones, Daniel (2011). Roach, Peter ; Setter, Jane ; Esling, John (eds.). "Mackay(e), MacKay(e)". Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary (18th ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-15255-6 . məˈkaɪ, məˈkeɪ Note: /məˈkeɪ/ mainly in the US.
^ " '1917' Cast & Creators Discuss Making The Ambitious One-Shot Film" . Entertainment Weekly . 23 December 2019. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2020 .
^ Brown, Emma (14 December 2015). "The Lost Boy" . Interview Magazine . Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ Aftab, Kaleem (27 June 2018). " 'I'm trying to be more political': George MacKay on how acting in NHS drama 'To Provide All People' was a wake-up call" . Independent . Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020 .
^ Siobhan Synnot (30 September 2013). "Interview: George MacKay, star of Sunshine on Leith" . The Scotsman . Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015 .
^ "IN PERSON: GEORGE MACKAY" . Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020 .
^ Brady, Tara (26 February 2020). "George MacKay: 'My influences? Conor McGregor and wallabies' " . The Irish Times . Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2021 .
^ "The Harrodian Eye – December 2010" . Harrodian.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015 .
^ Charles Gant (3 October 2013). "George MacKay: yours sincerely" . The Guardian . Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2016 .
^ "It's All Hunky Dory as Graduates Come Home" . rwcmd.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2020 .
^ "The Best of Men, BBC Two, review" . Telegraph. 16 August 2012. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2012 .
^ "BBC One: The Outcast: Episode 1 credits" . BBC. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 20 July 2015 .
^ "George MacKay: 'My influences? Conor McGregor and wallabies' " . The Irish Times . Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021 .
^ "True History of the Kelly Gang" . tiff.net . Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2020 .
^ "DREAMWORKS PICTURES TO BEGIN PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY ON 1917" . FilmInk . 29 March 2019. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2019 .
^ "Oscars: The Complete Winners List" . Hollywood Reporter . 9 February 2020. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020 .
^ "George MacKay & Lily-Rose Depp To Star In Genre Film 'Wolf' " . Deadline . 12 February 2020. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020 .
^ "Irish film Wolf to world premiere at 2021 Toronto International Film Festival" . 29 July 2021. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021 .
^ Stanger, Joseph (29 May 2021). "Focus Features Sets December Release Date for George MacKay and Lily-Rose Depp Drama, 'Wolf' " . Archived from the original on 30 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021 .
^ Erbland, Kate (17 September 2021). " 'Wolf' Review: George MacKay and Lily-Rose Depp Give Full-Bodied Performances in Identity Drama" . www.indiewire.com . Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021 .
^ "Tilda Swinton, George MacKay and Stephen Graham Starring in Musical 'The End' for Neon" . Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021 .
^ Grater, Tom (3 November 2020). "Jeremy Irons, George McKay Starring In Robert Harris Adaptation 'Munich' For Netflix" . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020 .
^ a b Yossman, K. J. (6 May 2022). " '1917's' George MacKay, 'Candyman's' Nathan Stewart-Jarrett Set to Star in Drag Queen Revenge Thriller 'Femme' " . Variety . Archived from the original on 28 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022 .
^ Croll, Ben (3 September 2023). "Director Bertrand Bonello Explains the Shocking, Incel Inspiration for 'The Beast,' Starring Lea Seydoux, George MacKay (EXCLUSIVE)" . Variety . Retrieved 17 October 2023 .
^ "Interview: George MacKay, star of The True History of The Kelly Gang " . The Scotsman . Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021 .
^ a b "George MacKay - A Forging of Contexts, A Conceding of Knowledge" . Flaunt . Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021 .
^ "Britain's hard-working, soulful MacKay keeps films coming" . Reuters . 6 October 2014. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021 .
^ "George Mackay Lived in Ned Kelly's Mind for True History of the Kelly Gang " . W . 22 April 2020. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021 .
^ "Wolf : How George MacKay Totally Transformed Himself for a 'Universal' Exploration of Personal Identity" . IndieWire . 15 September 2021. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021 .
^ "George MacKay - Interview" . The Last Magazine . 29 February 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021 .
^ "George MacKay interview: 'I didn't realise there was a gender imbalance, because that imbalance served me' " . The Independent . 26 January 2020. Archived from the original on 20 November 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021 .
^ @carlybannerman_ (19 November 2023). "The best day celebrating the perfect pair" – via Instagram .
^ Maher, Kevin (29 November 2023). "George MacKay: I question what it means to be a man" . The Times . Retrieved 20 October 2024 .
^ Ritman, Alex (16 January 2023). "Olivia Colman, Martin McDonagh, Jessie Buckley Among 90-Plus Names Calling on U.K. to Take "Immediate Action" Against Iran Over Executions" . The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 21 November 2023 .
^ "Peter Pan (2003): Full Production Credits" . Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2012 .
^ Smith, Neil (23 May 2006). "The Thief Lord (2006)" . BBC . Archived from the original on 27 October 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2020 .
^ "Defiance (15)" . British Board of Film Classification . 11 November 2008. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2016 .
^ "BBC - Film Network - Features - the Boys Are Back: Interviews" . Archived from the original on 19 January 2010. Retrieved 14 January 2010 .
^ "It's All Hunky Dory as Graduates Come Home" . rwcmd.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2011 .
^ Scheck, Frank (30 October 2014). " 'Private Peaceful': Film Review" . The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017 .
^ "How I Live Now" . TIFF . Archived from the original on 16 August 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2013 .
^ "Toronto Adds 75+ Titles To 2013 Edition" . Indiewire . 13 August 2013. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2013 .
^ Bradshaw, Peter (18 May 2013). "Cannes 2013: For Those In Peril – first look review" . The Guardian . Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2020 .
^ Bradshaw, Peter (21 November 2013). "Breakfast With Jonny Wilkinson – review" . The Guardian . Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020 .
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^ Barraclough, Leo (8 February 2017). "First Look: Amandla Stenberg, George MacKay in Amma Asante's 'Where Hands Touch' (EXCLUSIVE)" . Variety . Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017 .
^ Mitchell, Robert (7 May 2017). "Cannes: First Look at British Musical 'Been So Long' (EXCLUSIVE)" . Variety.com . Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018 .
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^ McNary, Dave (6 November 2017). "Russell Crowe, Nicholas Hoult, George MacKay Join 'True History of the Kelly Gang' " . Variety . Penske Business Media, LLC. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018 .
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^ Moore, Kasey (22 October 2021). "Netflix Originals Coming to Netflix in January 2022" . Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021 .
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^ "Line Of Duty Fans Will Love Netflix's New Thriller 'I Came By' " . 21 July 2021. Archived from the original on 21 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021 .
^ Keslassy, Elsa (16 May 2022). "George MacKay, Lea Seydoux to Star in Bertrand Bonello's Sci-Fi Romance 'The Beast' (EXCLUSIVE)" . Variety . Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022 .
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (4 October 2021). "Tilda Swinton, George Mackay And Stephen Graham Board Neon Musical The End " . Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023 .
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