Latest news with #NancyMitford
Geek Girl Authority
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
TV Review: OUTRAGEOUS
Nothing does your head in like family. In BritBox's limited series, Outrageous , they've set out to spotlight one of the most scandalous, chaotic, and ideologically disparate yet biologically bonded families on record. Based primarily on Mary S. Lovell's 2001 book, The Mitford Girls: The Biography of an Extraordinary Family, the series's six episodes span most of the 1930s when the sisters took some questionable cues from each other about the importance of following their hearts and persisting on unlikely paths of rebellion and revolution. RELATED: 6 Great Historical Fiction Novels Focused on Real Women From History For a series that chronicles the inevitable march to World War II, Outrageous 's initial impression is curiously upbeat. Lively music and frenetic activity open the premiere and paint the picture of a well-off family enjoying the privilege of a well-off life. As the story progresses quickly through the 1930s, the implications of small, mundane choices grow in significance as each sister takes a diverging path forward. The creators take creative license with some timeline points and personalities but lean in on the narrative context to build excellent tension. Photographer: Olly Courtney- Courtesy of BritBox BritBox's Outrageous The Mitfords were old-school aristocrats, tracing their English roots back to the Norman invasion and raised to the peerage twice. Nancy Mitford (Bessie Carter), the oldest of the six sisters, narrates the series and wonders repeatedly how they grew into such different women despite being raised in the same household by the same parents. The family's patriarch, David Freeman-Mitford (James Purefoy), addressed and referred to as 'Farve' by his children, loses his fortune in the stock market crash. Purefoy's portrayal of a man uncertain as to how to reverse his fortunes, untrained in asking for help, and overwhelmed by how quickly the world is changing, is a masterclass in foundational character development. Everything Farve has ever depended on — family, fortune, a sense of order — falls away over the span of the series. While almost always calmly stoic and outwardly convinced that things will right themselves with time, Purefoy allows hints of Farve's growing despair to show in his posture, his gaze, and a nearly imperceptible sigh. RELATED: My Lady Jane : Rob Brydon and Anna Chancellor Spill Their Parenting Secrets Meanwhile, 'Muv,' Sydney Freeman-Mitford née Bowles, played by the resplendent Anna Chancellor, must fulfill her mission as the mother of six daughters of status to see them all properly presented to society. It brings to mind Mrs. Bennett of Pride and Prejudice canon if the Bennett girls had actually had prospects. Chancellor conveys a substantial amount of determined patience as she juggles the obligations of society while keeping tabs on her husband's handling of the household finances. She is the epitome of steadfastness. The good of the family as a whole drives her every decision. Courtesy of BritBox The Siblings Often overlooked due to his sisters' sometimes history-making shenanigans, Tom Mitford (Toby Regbo), the lone brother among the siblings, stood to inherit everything, being a boy and all. In Outrageous , he acts as a bit of a weathervane for British society. Early in the series, he states emphatically at the family table that Britain will never accept a fascist government. Not much of a year later, he extols the charms of Hitler's regime and the good it's done for Germany. Nevertheless, various members of the family lean on him for advice, comfort, and support. He is the rock amongst the dynamite sticks. Obviously, the sisters are the swirling, combative, palpitating heart of Outrageous. Despite being the narrator, Nancy's life is anything but dull. She's already a published author when the series opens. However, her penchant for writing light romantic musings manifests in poorly thought-out real-life relationships. Carter somehow believably spins Nancy's character as unflinchingly clear-sighted when it comes to her family but inexplicably blind when it concerns men. RELATED: 15 Song Covers We Want to Hear on Bridgerton Of the six, Pamela (Isobel Jesper Jones) and Deborah (Orla Hill) have the least interest in politics or changing the world. Pam, as played by Jones, is refreshingly level-headed with skills in farming and agricultural management that keep her financially secure when the rest of the family is floundering. Meanwhile, Debo has envisioned her future clearly: Married to a rich, handsome man who can keep her status quo afloat. She likes things the way they are. Why any of her sisters would want something different confounds her to no end. While neither Pam nor Debo takes action to support their more radical sisters' causes, they do not censure or oppose them either. Photographer: Kevin Baker – Courtesy of BritBox The Tinderbox Sisters One has to imagine that there are roles that actors face with some trepidation. Imagine taking on the part of a historical figure known as 'The Communist,' or 'The Fascist,' or 'The Hitler-lover'? Taking these controversial figures and imbuing them with humanity and authenticity is a tremendous challenge. The writers deserve a lot of credit for creating opportunities for Jessica (Zoe Brough), Diana (Joanna Vanderham), and Unity (Shannon Watson) Mitford to demonstrate genuine affection and humor. They are people before they are headlines. Jessica comes across as the most sympathetic of the extremist sisters. Believing that communism can solve the inequality in the world, she's committed to turning her back on her heritage and using any resources she has to effect change. As the second-youngest sibling, she's also torn by her love and allegiance to her older sisters, who do not share her sense of global justice. She and Unity, in particular, have a close connection despite their opposing ideologies. Zoe Brough effectively conveys a youthful fervor that grows into a strong determination to actualize her plans. RELATED: Read our Outrageous recaps While Diana and Unity seem to follow their hearts into fascism, both present erudite intellectual arguments for their belief in it. With the benefit of hindsight, their devout loyalty to Mosley (Joshua Sasse) and Hitler (Paul Giddings), respectively, tracks like extreme fanaticism. However, taken in the moment, they were not alone in their leanings. Diana's choices involve sacrificing her marriage, her good name, and her physical well-being. Vanderham does it all without ever letting Diana seem weak or dominated. While she dotes on Mosley, she feels very much his equal, if not more impressive, in how she manages the life she chooses. Unity Valkyrie Mitford Shannon Watson is a phenomenon. As Unity Mitford, she manages a wide-eyed, childlike wonder as she throws herself into stalking Hitler, then insinuating herself into his inner circle. With that same guilelessness, she spews anti-Semitic rhetoric and Nazi propaganda. When she returns home after writing a shocking letter to Der Stürmer, she confronts Farve with the zealotry of Joan of Arc facing the flames. Courtesy of BritBox We can never know what fueled Unity's love of Hitler and Nazism. The comments made about her by other characters imply a lifelong pattern of obsessive behaviors. And yet, despite knowing the terrible path her infatuation will take her down, the look on Watson's face when Unity is first invited to meet Hitler is nothing less than transcendental. RELATED: TV Review: Three Little Birds Family Holds the Key While Outrageous 's story is very much a well-paced, engaging setup for a historical train wreck — seriously, just Google how the Mitfords' stories play out — the show is insidiously charming. The characters, no matter how flawed, are relatable — fallible in their decisions, facing consequences, and reacting with appropriate emotion. Through all the chaos of the many scandals and tribulations, Outrageous emphasizes the importance of family bonds. Farve and Muv make their choices for the good of their children. The siblings come together in times of need. In Episode 4, when Jessica asks if she can keep loving a sister who does an awful thing, Pamela responds, 'Perhaps we don't get a choice about loving sisters. Maybe the love's just there, in the background, and always will be. Whether we like it or not.' Image Credit: BritBox Although billed as a limited series, Outrageous closes out on the brink of the Mitfords' most significant era, the onset of WWII. Each member of the family is set to embark on individual odysseys. While it's unlikely a second season could maintain the lighter moments that provided relief and respite from the darker implications of the times, it would invariably be great television. Outrageous streams on BritBox, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday. Book Review: A FAR BETTER THING Diana lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada, where she invests her time and energy in teaching, writing, parenting, and indulging her love of all Trek and a myriad of other fandoms. She is a lifelong fan of smart sci-fi and fantasy media, an upstanding citizen of the United Federation of Planets, and a supporter of AFC Richmond 'til she dies. Her guilty pleasures include female-led procedurals, old-school sitcoms, and Bluey. She teaches, knits, and dreams big. You can also find her writing at The Televixen, Women at Warp, TV Fanatic, and TV Goodness.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The 9 Best Books by the Mitford Sisters
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." If you've watched Outrageous and want to hear more from Nancy, Diana, Jessica, and Deborah—including the correspondence between them and those bookless sisters, Unity and Pamela—there's plenty to read. But where to begin? Here's T&C's short the least scandalous of then Mitford sisters, Deborah (or 'Debo') would grow up to become the Duchess of Devonshire and the chatelaine of Chatsworth House, which she managed to change from being a crumbling country estate into a booming attraction for tourists, history buffs, and garden fiends. This memoir is among the most charming of those written by the Mitfords, and recounts her happy childhood, a loving marriage, and a gimlet eye towards the eccentricities of her family. It's thankfully not lacking in gossip or glamour, and is a fine entry point to newcomers to the Mitford memoir universe. at 'Decca' Mitford ran away from home, heading to Spain with a second cousin she would marry. Later, she'd move to the U.S. and become a respected journalist and speaker as well as a devoted Communist. Her best known work, this deep dive into the American funeral industry was first published to wide acclaim—thanks to its sharp observations and unexpected humor—in 1963 and made Decca something of a literary star; this revised version includes additional intelligence and information from the decades after the book was first released. at she became an expert in the big business of dying, Jessica Mitford wrote this memoir about growing up in her eccentric, exceptional family. The book is a charming and memorable recollection of the singular circumstances under which Mitford was raised, but also a great coming-of-age story on its own—who wouldn't admire a kid who kept a Running Away Fund hidden in her room and then actually used it? at Mitford married one of the richest men in the U.K., then left him for a Fascist politician. She socialized with celebrities, heads of state, and royals, but spent more than three years in prison. She was a card carrying member of the Bright Young Things who later earned the title of 'The Most Hated Woman in Britain.' Why wouldn't you want to read her memoir? at there was anyone who was more talked about and ridiculed than Diana Mitford, it was Wallis Simpson. In this book, Mitford explores what made the Duchess of Windsor such a divisive character—and why her husband gave up the throne to be with her. The story benefits from Mitford's friendship with Simpson, but isn't a deification. Instead, it's a clear-eyed look at a woman whose love life made her a pariah, written by one of the only people who might understand that situation perfectly. at of Nancy Mitford's most beloved books are packaged together in this volume. The Pursuit of Love tells the story of the fictional Radlett family—eerily similar to Mitfords own, the depictions here would haunt her relations for years after publication—through the eyes of a visiting cousin. Love in a Cold Climate has the same narrator but focuses on another aristocratic British family and their daughter's attempts to find love and her own place in a rapidly changing world. Both show off Mitford's stylish writing and offer an unforgettable glimpse into the world she inhabited. at Mitford might be best known for her novels, but she was also an accomplished biographer. This book tells the story of Madame de Pompadour, the longtime mistress of the French king Louis VX who had incredible sway over France's politics and culture—and made plenty of enemies along the way. Mitford rethinks her subject's role and legacy, offering an informed and entertaining look at life in the royal court and what it took to have the kind of staying power Madame de Pompadour did. at six Mitford sisters contributed—unwittingly—to this book, which is a collection of the sharp, affectionate, funny, and revealing letters sent among them during their lifetimes. This peek into the private world of the women serves not only as a history of the 20th century, but also a rare look behind their public personas and into the complicated relationships they had with one another. at of what the Mitford sisters wrote (and said) about one another made for uncomfortable family interactions, but perhaps nothing more than Wigs on the Green, Nancy's satirical book—which was long out of print—that sends up the Fascist sympathies of upper class Brits, including her sisters Unity and Diana. Viewers of Outrageous will recognize the book as a plot point, and those yet to see the series will appreciate it for its astuteness and knowing commentary on the politics of early 20th century aristocrats. at You Might Also Like 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion 13 Beauty Tools to Up Your At-Home Facial Game
Geek Girl Authority
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
OUTRAGEOUS Recap: (S01E03) Episode 3
Full disclosure: I didn't jump into Outrageous completely blind. I learned about Unity Mitford (Shannon Watson) many years ago, thanks to a Fringe Festival play called Hitler's Women , a title that attracted as much outrage as it did audiences. While the play didn't delve into her sisters, it painted a pretty clear picture of Unity as a woman who put the 'fan' in fanatical. Outrageous Episode 3 highlights this particular character trait, bookending the episode with scenes of her preparation and the fruition of her efforts. RELATED: Catch up with our recap of Outrageous Episode 2 Not to be outdone, the elder Mitford sisters spend Episode 3 carving out their own paths of politics, travel, and authorship. Sisterly sentiment clashes with ideology. And finally, young Jessica (Zoe Brough) finds the spark to light her red flame. Nothing is too outrageous for this lot. Not even Deborah's (Orla Hill) honest and shockingly predictable goals in life. Photographer: Olly Courtney- Courtesy of BritBox Outrageous, Season 1 Episode 3 March 1934. Unity runs calisthenic drills on the lawns of The Fortress to marching band music played on a phonograph. Jessica watches in wonder from the veranda, while Nancy (Bessie Carter) and Peter Jamie Blackley) find it amusing from their vantage inside the house. Nancy's voiceover describes how Unity would develop short-lived obsessions as a child. When Unity ends her workout with a Sieg Heil salute, the smile fades from Nancy's face. At Nancy and Peter's flat, Diana (Joanna Vanderham) visits, bringing her sons. Over tea, she tells Nancy that she's pregnant with Mosley's (Joshua Sasse) baby and needs to get an abortion. She asks Nancy to accompany her for moral support, and Nancy agrees, pointing out that Diana's making all the sacrifices in her relationship with Mosley. The Campaign Begins Unity begins pestering her parents to send her to a German finishing school in Munich. She argues that the Germans are friendly and more similar to English people. She wants to learn the German language and the culture. In addition, the pound sterling goes a long way in Germany. Muv (Anna Chamberlain) and Farve (James Purefoy) discuss it, with Muv taking up Unity's cause, and the decision is made to consider it. RELATED: Read our My Lady Jane recaps Muv also slips in the fact that she's invited Diana and her sons to Easter with the family. She points out that Farve misses her as much as the rest of the family does, and it's time the rift was healed. Farve acquiesces. She inquires about the state of the finances. He insists everything is being handled. She's unconvinced. In the clinic, Nancy waits with Diana before the abortion. Diana asks Nancy to take care of her sons if anything were to go wrong in the operating room. Nancy promises to, but reassures her that everything's going to be fine. The doctor and nurse roll Diana away to ominous music. April 1934, Easter Nancy and Peter leave The Fortress with Diana's sons. Nancy carries the younger one, while Peter walks hand in hand with the older one. They meet up with Farve and the rest of the family. Diana and Unity join them last. Outrageous – Photographer: Olly Courtney/Courtesy of BritBox The entire family walks to the church for Easter service, along with a hound and a sheep. The dog and sheep are left outside, of course. As the congregation sings hymns, Unity carves a swastika into a pew. Diana, still recovering from the abortion, has to sit. When the collection plate goes around, Jessica steals a few coins. RELATED: My Lady Jane : Rob Brydon and Anna Chancellor Spill Their Parenting Secrets Upon returning home, Jessica deposits her loot in her 'Running Away Fund' jar. Down in the sitting room, Peter reads the headlines from the newspaper. Jessica arrives as he regales the group with a story about Winston Churchill's 15-year-old nephew, Esmond Romilly, who ran away from his boarding school to join communists in London. Jessica is fascinated. Esmond is a second cousin. The discussion irritates Farve, who throws the paper into the fire. Left alone when the family goes in for the luncheon, Jessica pulls the paper out to save the clipping with Esmond's picture. Sisterly Talks, Part 1 Nancy and Pamela (Isobel Jesper Jones) take a walk. Nancy tells Pamela about the book she's writing. Titled Wigs on the Green , she intends to write a satire about the fascist movement in England, inspired by seeing Unity give the fascist salute to a woman in the village shop. Pamela cautions her that Unity and Diana won't find it funny. Nancy tells her that the publishers paid her an advance, which she and Peter have already spent to pay their debts. Peter still hasn't found a job. Stopping at a large outbuilding, Pamela announces, 'Here she is! Allow me to introduce the new love of my life!' and opens the double doors to reveal a new roadster automobile. Having bought it with her earnings from running the farm, she plans to drive it alone across Europe in the summer. Nancy's impressed by her courage. The Writer's Dilemma At home, Nancy discusses the possibility of her sisters being bothered by Wigs on the Green with Peter. He dismisses Unity as abnormal, bordering on insane. He argues that she's targeting the movement, not her sisters, so they should understand. Struck by inspiration, he suggests they attend one of Mosley's rallies for research purposes. RELATED: Filmmaker Charley Feldman Is Truly Outrageous As Jessica falls deeper into her obsession with Esmond, Unity comes in and announces that she's convinced Muv and Farve to send her to Munich. Jessica's aghast, but impressed that Unity got her way. Unity's ecstatic to be going to the same city as where Hitler (Paul Giddings) lives. Munich, Germany Muv accompanies Unity to the school in Munich and helps her get settled in. She reminds Unity that if she's ever unhappy, she can call home and they'll bring her home immediately. In response, Unity flings her arms around Muv in a bear hug, thanking her emphatically. As Diana helps prepare Nancy to attend Mosley's rally, Nancy tells her about Wigs on the Green , hoping to smooth any future discontent with the satirical take on fascism. She promises to let Diana read the manuscript before she submits it, giving her full rein to do the final edit. Diana appreciates the offer, but feels that Nancy will be converted to the cause by Mosley's speech. She can't attend herself, but makes Nancy promise to telephone her afterwards to tell her all about it. In the parlor, Peter, dressed in a black shirt to match Nancy's, pops a bottle of champagne to toast Mosley with Diana. RELATED: Members of the ton, read our Bridgerton recaps Diana listens to the news reporting on Mosley's rally. Agitators in the audience disrupt the rally, and Mosley demands that they be apprehended and punished. The rally descended into violent chaos as 2,000 protestors outside the rally clashed with fascist supporters. Date Night Gone Wrong Nancy and Peter return home, upset by the thuggery they witnessed. Nancy can't wait to get out of the black shirt she's wearing. They are on the same page about how dangerous Mosley's mission is. When the phone rings, Nancy can't answer it, afraid of speaking to Diana about the rally. Peter solves this by picking up the handset and hanging up immediately. They argue over finances and Peter's fruitless search for work. When Nancy questions his commitment to finding employment, he becomes mean and petty. After accusing her of being a suspicious 'little wife,' he grabs his coat and storms out. Sisterly Talks, Part 2 Deborah brings a parcel of books to Jessica. Jessica unwraps the first, Out of Bounds by Giles and Esmond Romilly. When she tells Deborah that it's about how to change the status quo, Deborah asks why it needs to change. Deborah appreciates how lucky their family is to live in The Fortress and the lifestyle their status affords them. Jessica tries to explain that she wants to solve the disparity between themselves and those who have nothing. When she asks Deborah what she wants to do with her life, Deborah replies that she expects to fall in love with someone rich and handsome. Jessica finds this goal pathetic. Deborah is not bothered. RELATED: Hair and Makeup Artist Jacquetta Levon Talks Incorporating Reality and Fantasy for The Serpent Queen In Munich, Unity and a classmate, Angela (Emily John), go walking. Unity is superfluous in her love of Germany. Angela takes her to the Osteria Bavaria, Hitler's favorite restaurant. Unity wonders if he's in there at that moment. Angela tells her that he only comes at lunchtime and that he is always surrounded by his men. Unity takes a deep breath and goes into the restaurant, leaving Angela behind. Inside the restaurant, Unity finds the backroom, decorated with images and quotes of the Third Reich. When a server greets her, Unity asks to make a lunch reservation for herself for every day. July 1934 Favre enters his study to find Muv going over the books. She confronts him about their debt. He insists it's a temporary state and demands that she trust him. Nancy arrives alone for lunch. Muv puts on a cheerful face and gently suggests that Nancy and Peter establish separate bank accounts. Nancy points out that there's nothing to put in one if she had one. Outrageous – Courtesy of BritBox Unity and Angela sit at the counter in the Osteria Bavaria. Unity explains Hitler's routine whenever he lunches there. Angela wonders what the restaurant staff thinks of Unity's stalker-like behavior. Unity is completely oblivious to any criticism. She continues to explain her strategy. Just then, Hitler and his entourage enter, and everyone stands to salute him. RELATED: 15 Song Covers We Want to Hear on Bridgerton He walks past and takes a seat in the back room. Unity lowers her arm and tells Angela that she's sure he looked right at her. Angela attempts to temper Unity's enthusiasm with a modicum of reality, but Unity rolls right over her in her belief that her plan is working. At lunch at The Fortress, Tom extols Hitler's successes in Germany, while Jessica argues the anti-fascist points. Tom and Muv refuse to believe the rumors of the persecution of marginalized groups. Jessica pulls Nancy into the discussion, throwing her under the bus twice – first by mentioning her attendance at Mosley's rally, then by spilling the tea about Wigs on the Green . December 1934 Nancy tells Joss (Will Attenborough) about sending a heavily edited version of the book to Diana for her feedback. Joss calls it a toothless tiger. Nancy doesn't disagree. He admits that he didn't think Mosley and fascism would ever gain footing in England, but now it feels very real and possible. When Nancy questions whether she should pull the manuscript, Joss respectfully points out that her novel won't make a real difference. He feels that Diana should understand that Nancy needs to earn the money that has already been paid. RELATED: TV Review: The Serpent Queen Season 2 At their lovenest, Mosley is irate with the manuscript. He turns it into an attack on Diana, painting Nancy as a jealous and spiteful sister. Diana recognizes Nancy's financial straits, but Mosley insists that she demand Nancy dump the book. He argues that if Nancy is a true sister, she'll be loyal to Diana and any cause Diana supports. Meeting at a lounge, Diana argues that Nancy's book makes fun of everything Mosley's spent years building. She calls it hurtful, and Nancy is deeply remorseful, offering to cut out any offensive passages. Diana demands that she not publish at all. Nancy says that's not possible, financially speaking. She says Diana's being a bit oversensitive. Diana points out that Nancy doesn't like Mosley, having heard it from the rest of the family, so the satire isn't meaningless. She accuses Nancy of not speaking the truth to her face. Nancy obliges. She admits she doesn't like Mosley or his politics. Diana takes that personally and states that Mosley is the only hope for the future. She stands up and tells Nancy that her faith in Mosley is unshakeable, but she doesn't have that faith in Nancy's loyalty anymore. She leaves Nancy speechless. What's Coming Next At the Osteria Bavaria, Unity drops and smashes a glass pitcher, distracted by Hitler in the back room. As the server cleans up and Unity apologizes, an SS officer approaches and invites Unity to join Hitler at his table. RELATED: Read our Outrageous recaps Nancy's voiceover reviews the state of things. Diana and Unity lost to the fascist cause. Nancy shut out by Diana. In an elegant juxtaposed montage of the three women approaching doorways — Diana to her parlor, Unity to the back room, Nancy returning home — she wonders what is happening to her family. In her house, Nancy finds Peter partying with another couple. She excuses herself from the festivities, claiming a headache. Peter and the others carry on without her. The next morning, a lorry arrives outside the flat. Men bang on the door. Nancy answers it, and they burst in, repossessing all her furniture. Outrageous streams on BritBox, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday. TV Review: IRONHEART Diana lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada, where she invests her time and energy in teaching, writing, parenting, and indulging her love of all Trek and a myriad of other fandoms. She is a lifelong fan of smart sci-fi and fantasy media, an upstanding citizen of the United Federation of Planets, and a supporter of AFC Richmond 'til she dies. Her guilty pleasures include female-led procedurals, old-school sitcoms, and Bluey. She teaches, knits, and dreams big. You can also find her writing at The Televixen, Women at Warp, TV Fanatic, and TV Goodness.
Spectator
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Why television can't depict the posh
In her 1954 essay 'The English Aristocracy', the author Nancy Mitford popularised the descriptions 'U', i.e. upper-class or aristocratic, and 'non-U', to denote household terms. Although she did not coin the phrase (that credit belongs to the otherwise forgotten linguist Alan S.C. Ross), she brought it to wider public attention. When her friends John Betjeman and Evelyn Waugh added their own contributions, the result was the 1956 book Noblesse Oblige: An Enquiry Into the Identifiable Characteristics of the English Aristocracy. Language termed 'U' included 'loo' rather than 'toilet', 'vegetables' rather than 'greens', and saying 'what?' rather than the apparently more polite 'pardon?' Although a few examples have now dated – I can't imagine anyone unaffected saying 'looking-glass' instead of mirror – it's undeniably true that Mitford's once-U, and therefore exclusive, language has proved more enduring than the non-U equivalent. Sofas are ubiquitous in the homes of England's middle classes, rather than settees or couches, and most would refer to a 'dinner jacket' rather than a 'dress suit'. If the average middle-class Englishman speaks in a more elevated – and indeed pleasant – style of language than we might otherwise have done, they owe a significant debt to Nancy Mitford, who is also responsible for two of the funniest 20th-century British novels, The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate. This makes the new drama about Nancy and her family – the unimaginatively titled Outrageous – a disappointment, swapping the Mitfords's love of language and wit for something decidedly prosaic. If you've seen the vast advertisements on billboards, you may be aware of the show, but it's essentially standard-issue posh drama. It purports to be about the Mitford family, once excellently described by Ben Macintyre as 'Diana the Fascist, Jessica the communist, Unity the Hitler-lover, Nancy the novelist, Deborah the duchess and Pamela the unobtrusive poultry connoisseur' – although Macintyre omits Tom, the sole boy, who died fighting the Japanese in Burma in 1945: he refused to fight against Germany, because he admired that country's spirit. Tom appears in Outrageous, along with his sisters, but it is a sign of the show's witlessness that even Toby Regbo's spirited performance cannot salvage a character swiftly pigeonholed as 'handsome posho' and left there, dangling. The greatest flaw in Outrageous is common in contemporary British television drama: it doesn't know what to do with the posh other than caricature them. Even on its own terms, the programme contradicts itself. It begins with a lavish, champagne-fuelled lunch at the Mitfords's bucolic country estate, complete with heavenly-looking swimming pool – Instagram-worthy heaven, decades before even the (decidedly non-U) concept of an influencer poisoned society. Then, a couple of scenes later, James Purefoy's splenetic patriarch David is telling his outraged children that, because of a decline in his investments, they will all have their allowances cut by half. It therefore becomes incumbent upon them – including Bessie Carter's novel-writing Nancy – to marry advantageously and further their fortunes accordingly. The greatest flaw in Outrageous is common in contemporary British television drama: it doesn't know what to do with the posh other than caricature them If this sounds familiar, that's because it's lifted straight from Pride and Prejudice. It was no great surprise to find that Williams also wrote 2007's absurd Becoming Jane, in which Anne Hathaway (of all people) portrayed a young Jane Austen, secretly in love with James McAvoy's dashing lawyer Tom Lefroy, only to be torn apart by financial woes. If Austen remains Britain's premier chronicler of the toxic influence of money on relationships, Nancy Mitford is certainly one of her more devoted disciples. There is a nuance and sophistication to Mitford's depiction of such matters that is entirely lacking from the broad brushstrokes of Outrageous. Here, the blonde Dietrich-alike Diana finds herself entranced by Oswald Mosley, spouting cookie-cutter 'Make Britain Great Again' slogans at a country house party like a more suave Nigel Farage. Before long, she's fallen into his arms, desperately in love with his manly prowess, even though he resembles a better-looking-than-average door-to-door salesman. If this were better written, the contrivances and silliness would be easier to forgive. But Williams's dialogue is plodding and on-the-nose, wholly lacking the Mitford wit and sophistication. Purefoy and Anna Chancellor – the only name actors in an otherwise largely unknown ensemble – have the worst of it, but you'd never know from this show that the Mitford siblings were beloved for their intelligence and (often cutting) use of allusion and parody. Instead, their exchanges plod and thump like undistinguished soap opera. It has the inadvertent effect of making the Mitfords seem like tedious snobs rather than dazzling charmers. By the time Robert Daws appears in full caricature mode as a gulping Churchill at Unity's coming-out party, it becomes hard to keep watching. The Mitfords seem peculiarly susceptible to the vagaries of poor writing and uncertain commissioning editors. Emily Mortimer – who I used to respect – ruined The Pursuit of Love a few years ago with a dismal adaptation that showed no confidence in the wit that made the novel so charming, instead ladening it with pop music and anachronisms in a desperate attempt to seem 'relevant'. Outrageous, clearly made on a tight budget, has now done its damnedest to put the average viewer off this particular family. The only thing that amused me, in fact, was discovering that the network broadcasting this show is itself called U: a misnomer, I fear, because Outrageous really is as non-U as it gets.
Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
‘Off the rails' period drama exposing famous family scandals streaming for free
A promising new period drama about one of Britain's most infamous families is now streaming for free U and U&Drama is now home to one of the most riveting and shocking period dramas of the year - and you can stream it completely for free. Premiering on the free streaming service today (Thursday, 19th June), the six-part series follows a group of aristocratic sisters who become notorious for their high-society antics and radical political views in the 1930s. Set in the years building up to World War II, writer Nancy Mitford (played by Bessie Carter) becomes renowned for her novels while some of her sisters begin to fraternise with fascists and Nazi sympathisers. Outrageous is now streaming and is a must-watch for fans of Downton Abbey, The Buccaneers and series that peer behind the curtains of the darker periods of British history. Speaking to Reach at the series' premiere in London, several cast members shared what makes the new drama by writer Sarah Williams live up to its name. Deborah Mitford star Orla Hill said: 'It's so off the rails that you wouldn't really believe it was real. 'You might think someone had made it up and then it would never get made because it was so crazy.' Her co-star Isobel Jesper Jones (Diana Mitford) added: 'I think it's outrageous that you have this many female characters in it. You could make an entire series of just one of them.' And Zoe Brough (Jessica Mitford) admitted: 'I just can't believe that it hasn't been done before. 'You would think that when pitching these stories of the Mitford sisters that you were making it up. 'It's mixed with so much humour, tragedy, extremism, radicalism. It's all twists and turns, it's overwhelming, so the audience won't know where the trajectories of the characters are going from start to finish.' Reviews are already pouring in for the series and it's clear to see Outrageous is shaping up to be one of the best new historical dramas of 2025 - possibly of the whole decade. Collider gave the series a rave 9/10 write-up, saying: 'Whether you know about the Mitford sisters or not, Outrageous is still worth watching, as it delivers a polarizing, relevant, and lush '30s period drama, both dazzling us and stripping off our rose-tinted glasses.' Decider agreed with their take, adding: 'Outrageous conjures up an impressive feat by balancing multiple acts. 'It's a historic drama that speaks to the here and now, a serious exploration of politics that's also full of fluff, and a classic British drama that feels young and cool.' And AV Club says: 'Despite being set almost a century ago, Outrageous couldn't feel more timely. '[While] it is a fun romp packed with delicious 1930s fashions, illicit affairs, and sibling feuds, [...] it's also a harrowing chronicle of the rise of fascism in Europe. 'That's quite an audacious elevator pitch. But against all odds, the show masterfully blends witty dialogue with a dire historical warning.' This must-watch series is certainly not your average period drama, but there's certainly enough intrigue, twists and shocking revelations to keep viewers hooked. Outrageous premieres Thursday, 19th June on U, U&Drama and BritBox.
