The Outrageous Mitford Sisters: Shocking Truths Revealed in New Biopic

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31-year-old Bessie Carter ponders, “How did these six women, all raised under one roof, turn out to be so distinct?” In our series, we delve into those formative years when they were on the brink of leaving their nest and making a name for themselves. They resisted conforming to societal norms that demanded them to become wives and mothers at the time.

The actor, best known for his role in Bridgerton, comments that they were clearly women who sought more than just attending debutante balls. Instead, they desired opportunities to work and challenge their intellects.

Besides Nancy, who earned money through writing, most of them depended on wealthy spouses or financial support from their father. When people aren’t provided a platform where they feel appreciated, they tend to seek it elsewhere. Unfortunately, for some of these sisters, this led them to questionable situations. As their voices went unheard, their resentment and agitation grew. If we disregard the voiceless, they will only grow louder in their protests.

These independent women seem years, even decades, ahead of their contemporaries. As Carter puts it, “The Mitfords embodied modern womanhood,” emphasizing their forward-thinking and progressive nature. They frequently questioned societal norms, asking themselves, “Why not me?” or “Why can’t I do that?

According to Carter’s viewpoint, the Mitfords exhibited remarkable self-reliance, a trait he attributes to their “unyielding resolve.” Despite their father expressing that women shouldn’t receive education, he allowed them access to every book in his library. Consequently, they developed an impressive ability to learn independently.

Fundamentally, Outrageous traces the deterioration of the bond between Nancy and Diana, following Diana’s union with Oswald Mosley. As Carter puts it, “Nancy felt compelled to assert her stance. We can all relate to that instant when a sibling dates someone who leaves you thinking, ‘Ugh!’ But this was on an international level, and it significantly widened the gap between Nancy and Diana.

Moving forward, the question arises: Isn’t it striking to ponder over these six siblings and wonder how long their family bond can endure? When must tough realities be addressed, and differences acknowledged? Isn’t this a contemporary issue, given that most of us likely have a relative with differing political beliefs. How do we manage such situations?

The actor clarifies that her emotions towards Nancy’s parents are distinct from the deep affection she holds for her own parents, Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton, who she is working with on Mrs Warren’s Profession in the West End – “It’s a completely separate relationship”. Additionally, her bond with her on-screen mother, Anna Chancellor, was special due to their prior acquaintance, which made her feel at ease. Chancellor was more than just an actress to her; she became like a mother figure to the entire cast.

Carter anticipates that viewers will engage with the show in a meaningful way. She emphasizes that now more than ever, it’s crucial for us to communicate and listen to one another.

Joanna Vanderham admits that the outfits she dons, much like Diana Mitford’s did, exude an empowering effect. She states, “They lend me half their strength. With these impressive shoulder pads, I felt invincible, ready to conquer the world. In a scene where I reprimand Churchill on how to govern the nation, it’s my powerful attire that emboldens me to do so.” This highlights the impact of a well-chosen outfit.

The 34-year-old Scottish actor, who has previously starred in The Go-Between and The Paradise, found great pleasure in immersing himself in a vast sea of research about the Mitfords. “One aspect I appreciated was examining vintage images of Diana,” he said, “as she was the socialite of her era. She was often featured in the newspapers before others.

Diana possessed an unusual talent with her eyes; she often adopted a stance where her eyelids were lowered slightly, as if in a semi-closed position. This was due to her desire to avoid facial expressions when speaking or being photographed, as she aimed to prevent premature wrinkles.

During the performance, I intentionally kept my eyelids slightly lowered. The best way to check if someone is looking with their eyelids half-closed is by observing them from a downward angle, as if viewing them through one’s nose. This particular angle really made her character come alive for me.

Among all the tales spun by the Mitford sisters, it’s Diana’s that truly shines. To begin with, she was associated with the Bright Young Things, an intriguing band of free-spirited high society figures in 1920s London. This group was famously depicted in Evelyn Waugh’s novel titled Vile Bodies.

However, the course of events shifted dramatically when she abandoned her affluent spouse, Bryan Guinness, to be with Oswald Mosley. Their marriage, which occurred in 1936, was held at the residence of Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda minister, and Adolf Hitler graced the occasion as the guest of honor.

During the Second World War, Diana’s association with fascism led to her being incarcerated at Holloway Prison for three years. As Vanderham puts it, “Nancy betrayed Diana by reporting her activities to Churchill, claiming she posed a threat to national security. Imprisoning one’s own sister? The Mitfords were certainly unconventional!

The performer, with two sisters and a brother as her kin, shares that she was able to utilize her own familial dynamics, expressing about her siblings: “They represent your first genuine friendships; they’ve experienced things with you that no one else has. It’s an incredibly unique bond I value deeply. Fortunately, I maintain a good relationship with my family. Regrettably, some of the Mitfords have severed all communication with each other entirely.

Diana remained consistent in her views. In her 1989 interview on Desert Island Discs, she faced criticism due to her denial of the Holocaust and her open admiration for Adolf Hitler, which she did not express regret over.

Her narrative forms part of a stunningly unbelievable true-life spectacle, as Vanderham points out, “People may think, ‘That couldn’t have occurred.’ Yet, once they search it online and find that it did, they’ll be astonished. The Mitfords were indeed extraordinary, and the title is perfectly fitting.

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2025-06-10 02:36