The Mitford sisters, six siblings whose lives were as scandalous as they were influential, have returned to the screen in the new BritBox series Outrageous. Premiering on June 18 in the U.S. and Canada, this six-episode mini-series dives into the turbulent and often controversial world of the Mitfords during the 1930s, a time of great social and political upheaval. The show, based primarily on Mary S. Lovell’s biography The Mitford Girls, offers a fresh and authentic lens through which to view the complex dynamics of this aristocratic family.
At the heart of the series is Nancy Mitford, played with nuance and charm by Bessie Carter, known for her role as Prudence Featherington in Bridgerton. Nancy, the eldest sister, serves as the narrator, guiding viewers through the saga from a post-World War Two perspective. Carter, who intriguingly attended the same school as Nancy — Frances Holland — and even narrated the audiobook for Nancy’s novel The Pursuit of Love four years ago, brings a deeply personal connection to the role. She shared how discovering that Nancy once worked at St Mary’s Hospital, where Carter herself was born, and lived just minutes from her current home in Maida Vale, made the portrayal feel even more intimate.
Outrageous is not your typical period drama. While it shares the historical setting with popular shows like Bridgerton, it intentionally steers away from the glossy, romanticized depictions of aristocratic life. Instead, it presents a raw and vibrant story, complete with moth-eaten cardigans and an energetic jazz-inspired soundtrack that mirrors the sisters’ fiery spirits and the era’s tumult. Carter described Nancy as “a pretty modern woman” — empathetic, witty, and possessing a sharp observational eye that made her a gifted writer. “When you’re going into the depths of quite a dark world,” Carter explained, “you need someone who can also see the light.”
The Mitford sisters were famously diverse in their political and personal paths. Diana, played by Joanna Vanderham, is depicted as the steely fascist supporter who has a passionate affair with Oswald Mosley, the notorious fascist politician. Unity (Shannon Watson) is portrayed as a Hitler admirer, Jessica (Zoe Brough) as a communist, Deborah (Orla Hill) as a romantic duchess, and Pamela (Isobel Jesper Jones) as the more reserved poultry enthusiast. This spectrum of beliefs and behaviors made the family a magnet for headlines and public fascination, and the show explores how these divergent paths tore at the family’s bonds.
One of the most poignant storylines is Nancy’s complicated love life, particularly her relationship with Hamish Erskine (James Musgrave), who is revealed to be gay. Early episodes show Nancy’s earnest attempts to progress their relationship, including a comically awkward scene where she tries to consummate the relationship during a house party — an episode that Carter described as “very funny” and “embarrassing,” highlighting the universal awkwardness of romantic rejection. Hamish’s eventual departure leaves Nancy heartbroken but also sets the stage for her swift marriage to Peter Rodd (Jamie Blackley), which is portrayed as far from a fairy tale. Despite the marriage’s difficulties, Nancy remained steadfast, even inscribing her gravestone with “wife to Peter Rodd,” a testament to her respect for the institution of marriage despite personal unhappiness.
Adding depth to Nancy’s story is her friendship with Joss, played by Will Attenborough, who is an amalgamation of several of Nancy’s real-life Jewish friends. Carter and Attenborough’s real-life friendship lent a natural chemistry to their on-screen bond, which provides a refreshing depiction of platonic friendship amidst the chaos of the Mitford family drama. This relationship also serves as a moral counterpoint to the rising fascist sympathies within the family, with Joss representing the real pain caused by extremist ideologies.
The production team went to great lengths to capture the sisters’ unique voices and mannerisms, holding a “Mitford Boot Camp” to develop a unified yet historically accurate accent, blending the actresses’ varied regional backgrounds into a fluent Received Pronunciation that feels both authentic and accessible. The series also avoids romanticizing the sisters’ controversial political affiliations, instead offering a nuanced exploration of how and why some were drawn to extreme ideologies while others resisted.
Sarah Williams, the series creator and writer, remarked on the incredulity of the Mitford sisters’ story, saying, “They say that truth is stranger than fiction and you really couldn’t have made this story up.” The sisters’ lives, set against the backdrop of the 1930s and the looming Second World War, resonate with contemporary audiences facing their own uncertain times. The show’s tagline, “six sisters who refused to play by the rules and whose often-scandalous lives made headlines around the world,” encapsulates the enduring allure of the Mitfords’ story.
For Carter, portraying Nancy was both a professional and personal milestone. She reflected on the importance of telling women’s stories with authenticity and complexity, hoping the series encourages more productions with multiple strong female leads. She also touched on the familial tensions within the Mitford clan, particularly the fraught relationship between Nancy and Diana, highlighting the jealousy and rivalry that simmered beneath their public personas.
While the current series concludes just before the outbreak of World War II, there is potential for further seasons to explore the sisters’ lives during the war and beyond, promising more drama and insight into one of Britain’s most fascinating aristocratic families.
Outrageous is now streaming on BritBox in the U.S. and Canada, with all six episodes available on U and U&DRAMA in the UK from June 19, 2025. The series offers a captivating blend of historical drama, personal intrigue, and social commentary, inviting viewers to witness the extraordinary lives of the Mitford sisters as they navigate love, politics, and family loyalty in a world on the brink of transformation.
