Where Have You Seen George MacKay?
Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 5:03PM 
The young British actor George MacKay is getting many star-in-the making reviews for leading Sam Mendes’ 1917, which screened to press last weekend in New York and LA. Some are even saying he’s a shoo-in for an Oscar nomination in the crowded best actor category. But have you seen him in any movies yet? He’s certainly hasn’t made this big of an impression in his previous movies. Here are 3 movies where you might have seen MacKay...
Captain Fantastic (2016)
He was Viggo Mortensen’s eldest son Bo. His was the most developed character of the children and the movie was interested in his burgeoning sexuality. That allowed MacKay to shine a bit if perhaps not make an indelible impression since the movie is really all about Mortensen.
Pride (2014)
He was a young activist in that story of LGBTQ activists who support the miners strike in a Welsh village. I assume based on this picture. While I love this movie and cherished it when t came out I can’t say I remember MacKay in it at all. I’m more mystified by why Jessica Gunning’s career hasn’t skyrocketed after her warm and funny performance in this movie.
How I Live Now (2013)
In this little seen film about a futuristic apocalyptic war, MacKay shares a tender love story with the rebellious teenager at the center of the film, played by Saoirse Ronan. They had sexy rapport and you can see a glimmer of the actor he becomes with 1917. The film also starred Tom Holland. And maybe one day it will be a trivia question about the early careers of these three young stars.
Reader Comments (24)
Pride deserved better. Globe nod was a nice surprise though.
He reminds me of the school shooter in Vox Lux, which is saying something (unsettling).
He was amazing in 11.22.63.
He's the lead in Pride, and I thought pretty great in it.
Didnt care much for him in Captain Fantastic though
Mike in Canada - wow... then let's just say he didn't register as a lead should've. I honestly do not remember him in that film at all. Good news though anyone who sees 1917 will not forget him.
He was the *lead* in PRIDE - I'm surprised you don't remember him!
I was also aware of him from SUNSHINE ON LEITH, THE BOYS ARE BACK, OPHELIA and the upcoming TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG.
He's one of those actors who's been all over the place the last 5 years and I'm always surprised when people don't seem to know who he is! 1917 may be a breakthrough for him but he's hardly a newcomer.
I think he's fantastic and he will have a long career.
I love him. But I've been ttoally thrown by the notion that he could show up in Best Actor. I just think the performance is way too physical and recessive for that with all these (comparatively) giant stars with more typically meaty parts roaming about on the campaign trail.
He's hot and talented, but he won't get in the acting races. Waaaaay too many people who have bigger narratives then him.
Also, How I Live Now is really weird and not very good outside of Ronan (and kinda sorta Holland, but he's not in it enough).
I first saw him in Been So Long, a quirky musical by Michaela Coel. I’m not sure anyone else saw it though. It’s on Netflix, check it out.
I've seen him in Pride (damn good film) and Captain Fantastic (another damn good film). I hope he gets to break out big but not become Eddie Redmayne. Ugh...
I must check out "Pride"
I was just reminded the other day that he’s the male lead of Amma Asante’s Where Hands Touch, which I only know through the infamous “n****r music” clip that went viral.
I don’t know why I haven’t seen Pride or Captain Fantastic yet since I like many of the actors involved.
He was great in both PRIDE (how could you not remember him?) and CAPTAIN FANTASTIC. Glad he has this awesome showcase in this new film it seems.
That's on you if you can't remember him in "Pride!" He was the closeted teen with the oppressive family who is our surrogate to the world of the activists.
Murtada don’t go drying bussys now ya hear.
I've seen all of these: I don't remember him specifically outside of "Captain Fantastic", which it seems I felt was much more about the father-son (or parent-older child) dynamic than most, as I think he was great in his scenes with Viggo, and that that was the most poignant relationship in the movie.
Chris - saying "How I Live Now" is 'really weird and not very good' is both hilarious and generous.
I liked Pride, but honestly I don't remember him in it (whereas I remember loving Ben Schnetzer and Imelda Stauton in it, and liking Paddy Considine, Andrew Scott, Freddie Fox, and Bill Nighy). I mostly remember him from Captain Fantastic - a movie that I think he totally stole (although sure, Viggo was very good).
I also remember him (given his distinctive bone structure) as one of the Lost Boys in P.J. Hogan's Peter Pan. Was wondering if that'd get a reference on this week's This Had Oscar Buzz (on Joe Wright's Pan), but if it did, I missed it.
He was also in last year's 'The Seagull' playing Annette Bening's son!
I've seen two of those three films but I don't remember much about his performances. You're right: The teenage son is mostly a plot device/foil for the dad in Captain Fantastic.
He's incredible in 11.22.63
I had commented on a previous post how much I adore MacKay, and this article is a long time coming! :)
I’ve hunted down everything he’s ever done ever since 2003’s Peter Pan, but I have to recommend the little seen Scottish film, For Those in Peril. He is absolutely devastating in it, and the ending is still one of the most beautiful sequences I’ve ever seen. He’s lovely in Marrowbone, a very underrated experience as well.
I look forward to seeing him in True History of the Kelly Gang, where he looks to be in prime form.
Loved George in "Best Of Men" and "Pride". Brilliant actor.