The Lady writer explains new Sarah Ferguson TV drama and how series handles Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

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According to writer Debbie O’Malley, Prince Andrew doesn’t appear at all in the four-part ITV1 drama, ‘The Lady.’ The series focuses on the story of Jane Andrews, who was a dresser for Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, and who was convicted of murdering her boyfriend, Thomas Cressman, in 2000.

According to O’Malley, The Lady isn’t focused on the broader royal scene. Instead, the story centers on Sarah’s personal life and how Jane fits into it, showing only the side of Sarah that Jane knew.

O’Malley describes Andrews’s complicated relationship with Ferguson – a close friendship complicated by their differing positions – as part of a larger, unhealthy pattern he calls Andrews’s “toxic fairy tale.”

The story follows a woman who rises from humble origins to socialize with the elite at Buckingham Palace, but her life eventually takes a tragic turn. It’s a compelling look at both her personal experiences and British society during that era.

This isn’t a fictional story, though; it’s based on real events. Since it’s impossible to know everything in a true crime case, we aimed to be honest about that. Whenever we could, we showed important moments in Jane and Tommy’s relationship through the perspectives of people who knew them. We knew we couldn’t satisfy everyone, and our goal wasn’t to cause distress.

O’Malley understands the weight of portraying this role and takes it very seriously. She emphasizes the importance of remembering the real-life impact of the crime, stating it’s easy to get caught up in the character’s perspective and forget the victim. Remembering the man who died, and the ongoing grief of his loved ones, is central to her approach, and she strives to portray the story with honesty and respect.

The Lady begins on Monday 23 March and continues on Tuesday 24 March at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

Authors

Gareth McLean

For almost three decades, Gareth McLean has been a professional television writer. He’s reviewed countless shows as a critic and interviewed a wide range of celebrities, including Liza Minnelli and Jimmy Savile, as a feature writer. He’s also worked as a writer on television programs.

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2026-02-16 21:06