23-04-2025
Bridgerton star looks unrecognisable in first glimpse at 'scandalous' new TV show based on true story - and it's worlds away from the Netflix period drama
A Bridgerton star looks unrecognisable in a first look at a 'scandalous' new TV show based on a true story.
Bessie Carter, 31, rose to fame on the Netflix period drama as the obnoxious Prudence Featherington.
Now the actress, who is the daughter of The Crown and Harry Potter star Imelda Staunton and Downton Abbey icon Jim Carter, is set to star in a brand new six-part series titled Outrageous.
She plays Nancy Mitford in the six-episode show, which follows the lives of the Mitford sisters and is based on Mary S Lovell's biography.
New images of the show have been released offering a glimpse of Bessie in character, and she looks worlds away from her 19th Century Bridgerton role.
In one photograph, she sports her hair in a short bob and wears a yellow V-neck top as she looks at co-star Jamie Blackley as Peter.
Bessie stars in the new show alongside Joanna Vanderham as Diana Mitford, Casualty's Zoe Brough as Jessica Mitford, Say Nothing Shannon Watson as Unity Mitford and Orla Hil as Deborah Mitford.
Other cast members include Isobel Jesper Jones as Pamela Mitford, who starred in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and Toby Regbo who plays the brother of the Mitford sisters.
Set in the 1930s, Outrageous delves into the story of the six Mitford sisters 'who refuse to play by the rules, attracting scandal and notoriety at every turn,' according to a synopsis.
The eldest sister, Nancy, tackles 'love and heartache' while her younger siblings go on different paths as their parents watch on.
A summary by UKTV reads: 'A family saga like no other, this is a tale of bonds and betrayals, public scandal, political extremism, jealousy, romance – and coming of age in the most extraordinary circumstances. Can the fractured sisterhood survive?'
The new show, created by Sarah Williams, will premiere on U and U&Drama in the UK on June 19.
Another new image shows Mosley, played by Joshua Sasse, and Diana, played by Joanna Vanderham, dancing together.
Bessie previously opened up to Tatler about playing real people and was full of praise for her parents and their successful careers - and says she took inspiration from her mother Imelda for her latest role.
Imelda famously played The Queen in the later series of The Crown which Bessie says helped her in playing real people too - including her new part as Nancy Mitford.
Bessie said: 'We're not imitating them, but we're taking the essence of them and trying to regurgitate it as truth.
'It's something my mother had to go to town with given that the Queen was so known by everyone… she smashed it!
'I think that's such a hard line, but really doing the voice and the physicality and then bringing your own proof to it, that's the fun.'
