'Outrageous' Tells the Story of the Mitford Sisters

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Outrageous' Tells the Story of the Mitford Sisters" – All Of It with Alison Stewart

Introduction In the June 4, 2025 episode of All Of It from WNYC, host Alison Stewart delves into the captivating new historical drama series, Outrageous, which chronicles the lives of the infamous Mitford sisters. Based on Mary Lovell's biography, The Mitford Girls, the series is set against the tumultuous backdrop of 1930s Britain, a period marked by societal upheaval, political extremism, and shifting roles for women.

Overview of Outrageous Outrageous is a historical drama that explores the rebellious and often scandalous lives of the Mitford sisters—Nancy, Diana, Jessica, Pamela, and Deborah. The show portrays their defiance of traditional societal expectations regarding marriage, behavior, and political affiliations. Among the sisters, Diana Mitford's relationship with Oswald Mosley, the leader of the British Union of Fascists, serves as a central narrative thread, highlighting the family's internal political conflicts.

Guests Introduced

• Sarah Williams: The writer of Outrageous, Williams shares her journey in bringing the Mitford sisters' story to television.
• Joanna Vanderham: Portraying Diana Mitford, Vanderham discusses her approach to embodying the character’s grace and complexity.

Development of the Series Sarah Williams recounts her long-standing interest in the Mitford sisters, describing them as "a notorious bunch of wild characters" in the UK. Williams discovered detailed insights in Mary Lovell's biography two decades ago but only recently, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, did the project gain traction.

Sarah Williams [02:05]: "So I started to read it and I thought my God, there's so much drama here, this is a clear…a slam dunk, as you would say, for a TV show and a long-running kind of series."

The project, initially shelved, resurfaced when Firebird, a company Williams previously collaborated with, encouraged her to revive the passion project. The title evolved from the rather mundane "Mitford Sisters" to the more evocative Outrageous, reflecting the rebellious essence of the characters.

Character Exploration: Diana Mitford Joanna Vanderham discusses her portrayal of Diana Mitford, emphasizing the importance of physicality in capturing Diana’s aristocratic poise and underlying arrogance.

Joanna Vanderham [04:15]: "And I realized that the only way that you can look is you can hold…you have to tilt your head up and look down your nose at everybody. And that was just…it instantly got me into the physicality of Diana, where I thought she…she…that's how she walks through life. It's this sort of, I'm better than you."

Vanderham highlights Diana's initial marriage to Brian Guinness, reflecting societal expectations of women to secure advantageous matches. However, Diana's encounter with Oswald Mosley disrupts her complacent life, leading her to seek deeper fulfillment beyond societal norms.

Historical Context: Women in the 1930s Sarah Williams provides a nuanced backdrop of the 1930s, a pivotal era for women's emancipation. Following the granting of suffrage in the late 1920s, women began entering various professional fields, inspired by cultural icons like Katharine Hepburn.

Sarah Williams [05:16]: "Women had only just got the vote, really. In the late 20s and in the 30s, they were beginning to get into all the professions. So there was a feeling for women that anything was possible."

This burgeoning sense of possibility deeply influenced the Mitford sisters, fuelling their desire to transcend traditional roles and pursue personal and political ambitions.

Themes and Tone of the Show The tone of Outrageous balances humor and drama, reflecting the close-knit and witty nature of the Mitford sisters themselves.

Sarah Williams [08:43]: "I knew it had to be funny, and there would also have to be moments of deep drama and tragedy within it."

Joanna Vanderham adds that the genuine bond among the actors enhances the show's dynamic, facilitating natural interactions that capture the subtle nuances of family relationships.

Joanna Vanderham [09:27]: "Gotta make them laugh before you can make her cry."

The show is characterized by a brisk pace, a necessity given the ensemble cast of six main characters, ensuring that every scene is impactful and propels the narrative forward.

Sarah Williams [10:38]: "There's no downtime. Every scene, every moment…has to count. So it's very pacey…we've also got a fabulous soundtrack…which feels very modern and very propulsive."

Narrative Perspective: Nancy Mitford as Narrator The series employs Nancy Mitford, the eldest sister and a soon-to-be best-selling novelist, as the narrator. Her perspective, infused with later-life hindsight, offers a balanced view of the family's extremist affiliations.

Sarah Williams [11:21]: "She narrates the story from a viewpoint later on from after the war. So she can also tell us, with hindsight, it may not have been such a good idea for…"

Nancy's role as narrator provides a reflective lens through which the audience can assess the impact of the sisters' political engagements, particularly Diana's fascist sympathies and Jessica's communist activism.

Family Dynamics and Political Extremes The Mitford family is portrayed as a microcosm of political polarization, with each sister embodying contrasting ideologies. Diana's fascist alignment contrasts sharply with Jessica's communist fervor, illustrating the family's internal tensions.

Joanna Vanderham [12:41]: "Jessica then had a complete reaction to this and went in the opposite direction and decided that actually communism was the way to change the world for the better."

Sarah Williams draws parallels between the Mitford family's divisions and contemporary societal polarization, making the series resonate with modern audiences.

Sarah Williams [13:35]: "I think we all know…politics has become so polarized. So I think most people will understand."

Production Highlights Outrageous boasts a dynamic production style, influenced by the sisters' intelligence and rapid thinking. The show features a contemporary soundtrack by Sammy Goldberg, enhancing its modern appeal despite the historical setting.

Conclusion Outrageous emerges as a vibrant and multifaceted series that not only dramatizes the lives of the Mitford sisters but also offers a thought-provoking exploration of family, politics, and the evolving role of women in society. Through rich character development, sharp dialogue, and a compelling narrative structure, the series promises to engage audiences with its portrayal of one of Britain's most intriguing families.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sarah Williams [02:05]: "There's so much drama here, this is a clear…a slam dunk, as you would say, for a TV show and a long-running kind of series."
• Joanna Vanderham [04:15]: "That's how she walks through life. It's this sort of, I'm better than you."
• Sarah Williams [05:16]: "Women had only just got the vote, really."
• Sarah Williams [08:43]: "I knew it had to be funny, and there would also have to be moments of deep drama and tragedy within it."
• Joanna Vanderham [09:27]: "Gotta make them laugh before you can make her cry."
• Sarah Williams [10:38]: "There's no downtime. Every scene, every moment…has to count."
• Sarah Williams [11:21]: "She narrates the story from a viewpoint later on from after the war."
• Joanna Vanderham [12:41]: "Jessica then had a complete reaction to this and went in the opposite direction..."
• Sarah Williams [13:35]: "Politics has become so polarized."

Final Remarks Alison Stewart wraps up the discussion by highlighting the premiere date of Outrageous on BritBox, June 18th, and extends her gratitude to guests Sarah Williams and Joanna Vanderham for their insightful contributions.

Closing Thoughts Outrageous not only brings to life the flamboyant and complex characters of the Mitford sisters but also serves as a mirror to contemporary societal issues, making it a compelling addition to the landscape of historical dramas.

Transcript

[Advertiser]

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[Host]

This is all of it from WNYC I and Stewart. A new historical drama series follows a family of British aristocrats who defy societal expectations of marriage and how women should behave. It's titled Outrageous. The show is based on Mary Lovell's biography, the Mitford Girls. Set in the 1930s, these women's enjoyed a level of access, influence and wealth at a time when many others in their nation experienced poverty and political extremism was on the rise. In the series we are introduced to Nancy Mitford, the eldest sister and narrator Tom. Their Diana Mitford, a married woman who fell in love with the leader of the British Union of Fascists, Unity Mitford, who became a special companion to Adolf Hitler. Jessica, the communist of the family, Pamela, the quiet one and Deborah, the youngest sister. Outrageous Dreams on BritBox on Wednesday, June 18th. And joining us to discuss the show is the writer Sarah Williams. Sarah, nice to meet you.

[Sarah Williams]

Hello.

[Host]

And also joining us is the actor Joanna Vanderhaam, who stars as Diana Mitford in the series.

[Advertiser]

Hi Joanna.

[Host]

Hi Sarah. When did you first hear of the M sisters?

[Sarah Williams]

Oh, a long, long time ago. So they're, they're pretty famous in the UK for being notorious bunch of wild characters. But I didn't know any of the detail. And about 20 years ago a new book came out which was full of the detail, a biography of the Mitford girls by Mary Lovell. And a friend of mine gave me a copy because she knew I loved stories about outrageous women, I suppose, and untold stories. So I started to read it and I thought my God, there's so much drama Here, this is a clear, you know, this is a slam dunk, as you would say, for a TV show and a long running kind of series. And I put together a treatment. I thought, really, I've hit TV gold. And I put it out to a few people. Nothing. So literally, 20 years later, Covid happens and. And a company that I worked with before on something else, Firebird, who make this, gave me a call and said, do you have anything bottom of the drawer that has been a passion project you've never managed to get away? And I said, funnily enough, there is something. And this time, perhaps, because where the world is now, yes, it really took root. And we came up instead of. It had always been called the Mitford Sisters, quite a dull title. And I suddenly thought, what we need is a title, which is the feel of the show and the feel of these rebellious girls. So we came up with Outrageous. And so it has been a really wild journey because here we are in New York at the Tribeca Film Festival. We've got billboards in Times Square, and. And so it seems to me a really wild ride that we've been on from something that I couldn't get arrested for 10 years ago. So it's, you know, it's great.

[Host]

When you were playing the role of Diana, how did you take on her status and her wealth? How did it shape the way that Diana, you playing Diana, carried herself in the movie?

[Joanna Vanderham]

Oh, that's such a wonderful question. A lot of my research was based on images that were made of Diana because she was sort of the first socialite. People were photographing her and talking about her. And so there were a lot of images for me to look at. And one of the things that I noticed is that she has her eyelids sort of half closed. They're sort of halfway down her eyes. And I started looking in the mirror and holding my eyelids like that. And I realized that the only way that you can look is you can hold. You have. You have to tilt your head up and look down your nose at everybody. And that was just. It instantly got me into the physicality of Diana, where I thought she, she. That's how she walks through life. It's this sort of, I'm better than you.

[Host]

Oh, that was scary. Just like the show.

[Joanna Vanderham]

Not you, not you.

[Host]

I was like, oh, my gosh. She was an actress. Sarah. The show is obviously set in the 30s. What's unique about this particular time for women?

[Sarah Williams]

Oh, God, it was. It was the beginning of something for women. Women had only just got the vote, really. In the late 20s and in the 30s, they were beginning to get into all the professions. So there was a feeling for women that anything was possible. We were in Britain watching a lot of kind of Katharine Hepburn movies as well, you know, so on movies and in the papers, all the women's magazines were starting up. So there was a real feeling of possibility for women. And I'm sure that infected these girls. You know, they felt times were changing. We don't have to behave like our parents and our grandparents. We can do whatever we like.

[Host]

Joanna, Diana, when we first meet her in the first episode, she's married. She seems sort of meh about marriage. What are your. What are you. Your views? What are her views on marriage? When you're playing her, what did she think about marriage?

[Joanna Vanderham]

Well, I think it's just jumping off what Sarah just said. I think the expectation, Even though the 30s might have felt like it was full of possibility, the expectation on these sisters was that they were going to marry well into wealth and make heirs, and that was it. That was what was expected of them. And she had done that at a very young age. She'd married Brian Guinness and very wealthy of the Guinness fortune. And. But I think she had this realization of, is this it? Is this my. Because she was so young, she sort of thought, is this the rest of my life? And then she meets Oswald Mosley and he offers something completely different. And she says, I can't describe it, I can't quite explain it, but I just know in my heart that I'm meant to be with him. And she sort of sets. Sets the ball rolling for all the outrageous things that all the other sisters get up to. Yeah.

[Sarah Williams]

Yes. I think that moment when she decides she's bored in her marriage, that's the key. She's got it all. She's got the wealthy husband, the two children, the heir and a spare, and she's really bored. And she's still only in her mid-20s, isn't she?

[Joanna Vanderham]

And they were all so intelligent. So to sort of ask them to spend their lives just not doing anything, not having the conversations that would inspire and change, it just felt so unnatural for her. And so getting to leave Brian and have a life with Mosley, it felt like. I think it felt inspiring.

[Sarah Williams]

And Mosley wanted, for good or bad, Mosley wanted to change the world. And these girls had the same ambition. And that wasn't allowed within their class, really, or their societal place, but that's what they wanted. A lot of them had that strong urge to make a better world.

[Joanna Vanderham]

They just disagreed on how it should be done.

[Host]

A new historical drama follows the scandalous lives of the Mitford sisters. I'm speaking with writer Sarah Williams and actor Joanna Vanderham, who stars as Diana Mitford. They are joining us. The show will premiere on BritBox on Wednesday, June 18th. I wanted to ask you about the tone of the show. What was it going in? How did it change? I was curious about that.

[Sarah Williams]

Well, the sisters really set the tone themselves. They were incredibly close bunch of sisters who had their own sense of humor and their own way of speaking to each other. And they were all well known as. As being witty. And I think if you're one of a big family, you understand that humor is a kind of lingua franca of a big family. So I knew it had to be funny, and there would also have to be moments of deep drama and tragedy within it. But I. You know what? That's my favorite kind of drama that can encompass both of those things. Sort of. I think laughter and heartbreak are actually pretty.

[Joanna Vanderham]

Gotta make them laugh before you can make her cry.

[Sarah Williams]

Yeah. So I love that, you know, that. That came quite naturally, I think, and it came very naturally to this group of actors playing the sisters. They almost immediately, wouldn't you say, formed a very close bond with each other.

[Joanna Vanderham]

Such a close bond. And it really. It lends itself to, you know, the subtext of. I mean, Sarah's writing is just world class, but so much of it is also what's unsaid and the dynamics and the sort of the little glances that you have with your family, that they are the only ones that know exactly what you're trying to say without any words. And to be able to have that dynamic with, you know, girls that aren't my sisters so quickly, it felt like we could just, you know, hit the ground running. But, I mean, they're all so intelligent. And I think that influences the tone of the show and the pace of, for example, the edit and the sound design and the way it's been shot. And I think, as you say, it was really taking inspiration from the sisters and how quickly they think and how intelligent they are. It really. It. It's got a pace to it that most period dramas don't.

[Sarah Williams]

It does.

[Host]

And that's interesting. It does have an interesting pace.

[Sarah Williams]

That's partly because I've got six main characters. So there is no.

[Joanna Vanderham]

So much to get through.

[Sarah Williams]

There's no downtime. Every scene, every moment of every scene has to count. So it's very pacey, it's very light on his face. There's lots of story and we've also got a fabulous soundtrack composed by a very young composer called Sammy Goldberg. And she has done a gorgeous job on the music. And it feels very modern and very propulsive and very. You're really engaged by it.

[Host]

I think it's interesting because the narrator of the series is the eldest daughter, Nancy. People won't recognize her here. She plays Prudence on Bridgerton. Why did you choose to tell it through her eyes?

[Sarah Williams]

Well, Nancy became later in life. Well, she was already a novelist, but she became a best selling novelist. And actually I was just thinking today, a bit like Nora Ephron, everything is copy. So she wrote a lot about her own family. And so it seemed to me she's also the eldest, so she was a good person to guide us through. She's also the most politically centrist.

[Host]

How interesting.

[Sarah Williams]

And I thought that would be quite an evenhanded way of looking at a family of complete extremists. So she narrates the story from a viewpoint later on from after the war. So she can also tell us, with hindsight, it may not have been such a good idea for my parents, for example, to let Unity go and live in Germany while the.

[Host]

Yes, you can say. So the exercises she does on the lawn.

[Sarah Williams]

Yeah, exactly. She was. She was going to become badly infected by Nazism, but. Yeah, so she has. Yeah. So our narrator has the benefit of hindsight.

[Host]

You know, Joanna, part of the family dynamic is the conflicting politics in this family. Where do the Mitford stand overall? Just generally, just give our audience the overview.

[Joanna Vanderham]

Well, okay, so I mean, Diana does sort of set the ball rolling when she falls in love with the leader of the British Union of Fascists. So her flag is firmly in that camp. And she introduced unity to Oswald Mosley and his book. And that set her on her path. And so she sort of became, as you said, a companion, Adolf Hitler. But Jessica then had a complete reaction to this and went in the opposite direction and decided that actually communism was the way to change the world for the better. And in future seasons she moves to Spain to fight Franco and really, really get stuck in. Into communism. But the interesting thing is that you were just. Sarah was just saying backstage that Marv actually becomes a very firm fascist as.

[Sarah Williams]

Well, whereas Favre is very anti Hitler. So that marriage is eventually threatened as well. So it really is. There's something very relatable, I think these days about a family pulled apart by polit. I think we all know. Well, I don't know certainly in Britain we we have some awkward family dinners going on these days because politics has become so polarized. So I think most people will understand.

[Host]

The series is called Outrageous. It's about the Mitford sisters. It's premiering on BritBox, Wednesday, June 18th. My guests have been Sarah Williams and actor Joanna Vanderhaem. It was a pleasure to have you in the studio.

[Sarah Williams]

Thank you very much.

[Joanna Vanderham]

Thank you so much.

[Sarah Williams]

Thank you.

[Advertiser]

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