A glossy new period drama based on a real life scandalous family starts tonight

Daily Mirror

5 hours ago

Based on a real life family of six sisters, who caused quite the scandal in the 1930s, Outrageous on U&Drama is an addictive period drama
With Bridgerton and Sex Education stars, glossy period drama Outrageous, about the real life Mitford sisters - 'the Kardashians of their generation' - is your next binge. Based on Mary Lovell's book The Mitford Girls, this scandalous family saga (tonight June 19, U&Drama, 9pm) is inspired by six aristocratic sisters who refused to play by the rules. Sweeping through the turbulent backdrop of 1930s Britain, this addictive six parter follows the betrayal, romance and radicalisation of these gloriously rebellious socialites. Their controversial antics, including marrying a fascist and being imprisoned during WW2, saw the family splashed all over the press.
Also starring Anna Chancellor and James Purefoy, Bridgerton's Bessie Carter (Imelda Staunton's daughter) plays eldest daughter Nancy, who narrates events with an air of Lady Whistledown. Her foreboding voice explains: 'Surely within the decade we'd all have married well and be quietly breeding the next generation of British aristocrats. Unfortunately it didn't quite turn out like that. Instead, within a few years we would have gone entirely off the rails.'
‌
Nancy is desperate for her long-term boyfriend Hamish to propose, but he says marriage seems 'so very much not fun.'
‌
Diana (Joanna Vanderham) is married to one of the richest men in London - but is seduced by fascist politician Oswald Mosley (Joshua Sasse), while Unity (Shannon Watson) becomes 'the most hated woman in Britain' for defending Hitler. From the start, there's a growing sense of tension that everything is about to unravel. Wonderfully camp and wickedly funny, this is no stuffy period drama - it's an irreverent tale about sisters who followed their passions, to hell with the consequences.
Outrageous is airing on U&Drama tonight at 9pm, with all six episodes available to stream
There's plenty more on TV tonight - here's the best of the rest..
PUSHERS, CHANNEL 4, 10pm
Comedian Rosie Jones is having her moment in the sun - a firm favourite on comedy panel shows, she has now co-created this fresh new series. She plays Emily, who's terminally single, stuck living with her sad dad, and can only find voluntary work. And now her disability benefits have been cut.
At her lowest ebb, she bumps into her dodgy old school friend, Ewen (Ryan McParland), who spots an opportunity. If Emily needs money, perhaps she could deliver a parcel for him. 'It seems a bit dodgy,' she says… at first. You can guess where this is going. Who would ever suspect that this nice young disabled charity worker was a drug dealer? But everything soon spirals as Emily begins to get a thrill out of drug dealing. There are plenty of laughs, but it also makes a political point. Rosie says: 'We wanted to show what it's like to be working class and disabled right now - because it's s*** for a lot of people.'
MURDER MOST PUZZLING, 5, 8pm
Downton Abbey star Phyllis Logan stars as Cora Felton, the eponymous Puzzle Lady, in this latest murder mystery series to hit our screens. Based on the best-selling books by American author Parnell Hall, it begins when a strange murder takes place in the sleepy market town of Bakerbury. Local police are baffled by a crossword puzzle left on the body, so they turn to Cora, whose fame as an excellent puzzler, suggests she can help. But Cora isn't who she claims to be, and as she throws herself into the case, she starts to attract allies and enemies in equal measure.
Quirky, light-hearted and easy-viewing, this has all the hallmarks of a wholesome whodunit - sleepy village, random murders, interfering amateur detectives and gossipy secrets. Phyllis says: 'It's a bit like Murder She Wrote meets Miss Marple on steroids. It's a police procedural, but not as we know it and it's full of great characters.'
‌
EMMERDALE, ITV1, 7.30pm
Sarah goes for her procedure and is elated when Dr Knapp reveals they managed to retrieve a good number of eggs to test for viability. Later, Charity answers a call on Sarah's phone from the hospital and is horrified by what she hears. Sarah feels caught out when Charity reveals she's found out about her cancer diagnosis. Mandy persuades Paddy to confront his worries for his dad head on, but Paddy is surprised to discover that Bear and his motorbike are missing.
EASTENDERS, BBC1, 7.30pm
Kat is trying to talk to Alfie about her fears for Tommy, but things go from bad to worse when Alfie tells her she needs to visit Spencer in Australia as he's in turmoil. Tommy tries to avoid Joel, but is shaken when Vicki collars him and warns that she'll implicate him in what happened to Isla if he doesn't keep his mouth shut. Elaine wakes up with a vicious hangover and refuses to engage with Linda, who is still furious.