After a heroic turn in Sam Mendes's Golden Globe- and BAFTA-sweeping World War I drama, 1917, the London-bred leading man has Hollywood in the palm of his hands. Already buzzed about for 2016's Sundance standout Captain Fantastic, MacKay, 28, stars in True History of the Kelly Gang alongside Russell Crowe, in theaters next month, and later opposite Lily-Rose Depp in Wolf. Here, some insights gleaned over a Beverly Hills breakfast with Britain's big breakout.

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HIS PARENTS are artistically inclined ("Mom's a costume designer, Dad was a stage manager") and raised George and his younger sister on theater and ballet.

HE HAS TIES to Australia, first by his father, who hails from Adelaide, but also as the location for three of his film roles. In True History of the Kelly Gang, he stars as the continent's infamous outlaw Ned Kelly. "He is their Jesse James, or a meaner, more aggro Robin Hood. The film shakes up the perspective of a legend; we explore themes of identity, brutality, and the history of Australia, a place that means a lot to me."

HE ADMIRES the theater background that Mendes brought to the 1917 set, with a luxurious six months of rehearsals before the cameras rolled in southern England. "It's like a piece of furniture that's been crafted over months rather than an Ikea one that's just put up. The Ikea one works, but you unconsciously can feel the difference. There's something beautiful about it—time equals understanding."

HE READ poetry from World War I every morning on set and listened to Tchaikovsky on training runs.

AWARDS SEASON took him out of the trenches and into a Hollywood fantasy: "I've been in the same room as Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Beyonce, Jay-Z...and it's mad." Even 1917's best picture rival left him starstruck: "I met Bong Joon Ho—I loved Parasite."

THE LOYAL COUNTRYMAN'S last used app was for British Airways and his room service order is porridge.

HIS DREAM DATE would be "dancing at a blues club in London." As for his eligibility? "That's for me to know."

Tastemakers

America's youngest-ever certified sommelier, Victoria James, chronicles her experiences in her new memoir, Wine Girl (Ecco). Here, she deploys her palette to suss out three delicious sustainable wines

Marie-Thérèse Chappaz Grain Arvine de Fully

Region: Valais, Switzerland.

Flavor profile: Honeyed and floral with unctuous body and crisp acidity.

Pair with: A rosti (a fritter-like Swiss potato dish) or your favorite rendition of fried potatoes, ahem, french fries!

Corison Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, California. 

Flavor profile: Chock-full of chewy black fruit, with a tinge of leather and smoke. 

Pair with: A hearty steak to bring out the sanguine undertones and gripping structure.

Champagne J. Lassalle. Brut "Cuvée Préférence" 1er Cru

Region: Champagne, France. 

Flavor profile: Elegant and timeless. A jolt of red currants and lemon zest. 

Pair with: A classic champenoise snack like Chaource, a soft and creamy cows'-milk cheese.