Mitford Sisters’ Scandalous Secrets Finally Exposed in New Drama Outrageous!

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One striking aspect about the Mitford sisters is how their story remained untold for such a long time. However, this has changed with the release of a television adaptation, as detailed in Mary S. Lovell’s popular biography.

Written by Sarah Williams, U&Drama’s six-part series traces the lives of the daughters from the marriage between British aristocrats David Freeman-Mitford (James Purefoy) and Sydney Bowles (Anna Chancellor). In the 1930s, these women forge their own paths and find themselves at the heart of London’s buzzing social circle, eventually becoming some of its most controversial and notorious members.

Shooting scenes involving Bessie Carter’s portrayal of the renowned author, Nancy Mitford, and her character’s stormy marriage with the roguish Peter Rodd (played by Jamie Blackley), posed a challenge during filming.

For Carter, it was an immense privilege to share the tale of the Mitfords, and she expressed her enthusiasm by saying, “It’s thrilling that we were the ones who brought this story to life for the first time with Sarah Williams’s fantastic scripts.

It would be great if everyone could adopt a touch of the spirit of female empowerment and consider the importance of family discussions. In other words, instead of avoiding conflict, let’s engage in conversations about these topics – even if we don’t all agree on everything.

While Nancy’s storyline primarily focused on her troubled marriage and tense sibling ties, Joanna Vanderham’s investigation delved into the continuous disputes and intricacies surrounding Diana Mitford, a woman who was infamously referred to as “the most despised woman in England” due to her wedding with the head of the British Union of Fascists, Sir Oswald Mosley.

it delves into the process of how an individual can become extremely radicalized and what factors might lead someone to change their path.

For me, the most extraordinary part was Mary Lovell showing me personal letters she exchanged with Diana. These letters have never been read by anyone else, and during crucial scenes, I could quickly glance over them which served as an incredible source of inspiration in portraying Diana authentically. It truly felt like a priceless gift.

Shannon Watson took on the role of portraying Unity Mitford, a character known for her strong support of fascism and friendship with Adolf Hitler, presenting a challenging task in bringing such a contentious figure to life on screen.

As a fervent admirer, I must acknowledge that she’s undeniably a highly contentious individual, even being labeled as one of the most detested women globally. This aspect of her persona certainly stirred up a sense of trepidation in me.

Additionally, portraying a genuine individual can induce a sense of pressure. Therefore, I made an effort to absorb every detail about her, delve into her background, and strive to embody some authenticity in order to honor her character and satisfy the expectations of Mitford’s admirers.

Similar to their fellow actors, Zoe Brough, Isobel Jesper Jones, and Orla Hill became acquainted with their characters – Jessica, Pamela, and Deborah Mitford – in much the same way as they did, through Lovell’s book, along with the numerous letters that the real-life sisters exchanged.

In his recollection, after reading the script and securing the audition, he mused to himself, ‘Why hasn’t this story been told before, given how remarkable it is?’ He continued, expressing that as he delved deeper into her background, he grew increasingly admiring of Jessica’s moral and ethical bravery. Eventually, she would join the Communist Party.

For Jesper Jones, playing Pamela came as a refreshing change of pace.

She expressed her genuine enthusiasm for portraying the character Pamela, who seemed kind and composed. After a long stretch of acting as sinister and malevolent characters, this role offered something fresh and exhilarating for her.

Pamela is quite enigmatic and prefers privacy, yet she showed incredible courage. She was the pioneer who became the first woman to drive alone across Europe. One of the most peculiar things she undertook was having an Aga stove custom-made in the exact same hue as her eye color – a rather eccentric move reminiscent of the Mitford sisters.

It’s quite fascinating how the sisters exchanged numerous letters, providing a rich portrayal of their distinct personalities amidst the backdrop of heartache and political strife. Yet, in the midst of it all, Pamela casually mentions her delightful tiramisu experience from last week. Reading these letters was definitely intriguing.

Prior to working with Deborah Mitford, who later became a writer and the Duchess of Devonshire, similar to her sister Nancy, Orla Hill gained an advantage by having the opportunity to read Deborah’s memoir, which was published in 2010.

In my perspective, it seems incredibly daunting to have an elder sister as illustrious as Nancy Mitford, only to find oneself saying, “Surprisingly, I too shall pen a few books.” Her biography, titled “Wait for Me,” eloquently captures the common journey of the youngest sibling.

I believe Deborah Mitford acted independently, choosing her own path without being overly influenced by others.

The celebrity advised, “Give reading a shot on anything and everything, if you can.” She also mentioned that observing photographs and noticing the fun they shared while growing up might have been beneficial.

Outrageous will air on U&DRAMA and U from Thursday 19th June.

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2025-06-18 18:34