Nicholas Galitzine: Prince Specialist

A new star has been shining brightly in Hollywood, and his name is Nicholas Galitzine. At 29, this young actor has rapidly risen to fame with a string of successful projects that have captivated audiences worldwide.  

In the summer blockbuster of 2023, "Red, White & Royal Blue", Galitzine portrayed a charming yet awkward British prince who falls in love with the son of the U.S. president. Their pure yet intense romance left viewers enthralled. Following this, in March, he starred alongside Julianne Moore in the hit series "Mary & George". This seven-episode mini-series delves into the story of Mary, a favorite of the British royal family, who guides her handsome son George in seducing King James I to gain immense power. Their journey from social obscurity to becoming one of the most influential mother-son duos in England's history is nothing short of compelling. This month, Galitzine appeared in the romantic film "The Idea of You", playing a 24-year-old pop idol who engages in a passionate relationship with a 40-year-old divorced mother played by Anne Hathaway.  

Though these projects may not be the pinnacle of Hollywood's offerings, their global popularity has catapulted Galitzine to stardom and further solidified his status as a hot new talent in Hollywood. 

A frequently searched question about Nicholas Galitzine is whether he is an actual prince, owing to his frequent portrayal of royal characters on screen. Even Julianne Moore quipped in "Mary & George", "If I were a man and looked like you, I’d rule the world." Given Galitzine's aristocratic features, it's easy to see why this comment resonates.  

Interestingly, there is a touch of nobility in his lineage. His father, Geoffrey Galitzine, hails from the Russian noble Galitzine family, which sought refuge in Europe during the Russian Revolution. Geoffrey became a successful entrepreneur in the glass recycling industry, while Nicholas's mother, Laura, a Greek-American, is an illustrator and interior designer, infusing their home with artistic flair. This artistic environment also nurtured Nicholas's sister, who is now an artist. Born in London in September 1994, Nicholas was initially more inclined towards sports than the arts. Attending an all-boys school, he excelled in rugby and football, even aspiring to become a professional rugby player. However, repeated injuries and the relentless pursuit of masculinity left him questioning his path.  

His journey into acting began serendipitously when a friend invited him to participate in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Captivated by the stage, his showed talent that caught the attention of an agent, thus kickstarting his acting career. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Galitzine told Vogue: 

"I was always a pretty shy kid. At that point in my life, [being in a play] felt like a big step that I needed to take, but I wasn’t expecting anything to come of it. There, this idea was presented to me of potentially becoming an actor, which was kind of crazy. I left school unsure of what I wanted to do in life. It was kind of by fate that it came at this perfect moment, and I haven’t really looked back since." 

Galitzine's first film role came in 2014 with "The Beat Beneath My Feet", where he played a teenager passionate about rock music who discovers that his neighbor is a disgraced rock star who faked his death. He also contributed several songs to the film's soundtrack. This debut earned a nomination at the 17th British Independent Film Awards and was featured at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival. In 2016, he starred in the Irish film "Handsome Devil", portraying a young rugby star who develops a deep friendship with his roommate over a shared love of music. This film garnered six nominations at the 15th Irish Film and Television Awards. His breakthrough came with the 2021 Amazon Prime musical film "Cinderella", where he played Prince Robert, a role that showcased his vocal talents. In 2022, he starred in Netflix’s "Purple Hearts", playing Luke, a troubled Marine who enters a marriage of convenience, only to fall in love genuinely. This film became one of Netflix's most successful originals.  

Nicholas Galitzine often finds himself playing princes, or more accurately, characters with princely qualities. This delightful coincidence is partly due to his striking appearance, but looking back at his journey, we see that he indeed embodies the traits expected of a "modern prince": courage, sincerity, self-reflection, and wholehearted dedication to his craft. These profound qualities make him exceptionally natural in star-studded roles, as if he were born for them.  

Recently, Amazon announced a sequel to "Red, White & Royal Blue", with both Nicholas Galitzine and his co-star Taylor Zakhar Perez set to return. As we look forward to his future projects, Nicholas Galitzine’s star is surely set to shine even brighter.