A true crime drama involving the royal family, murder, and BAFTA winner Mia McKenna-Bruce — could it get any better? Actually, yes. The Lady also stars Game of Thrones icon Natalie Dormer.
Allow us to introduce The Lady: a gripping new true crime drama set to have you hooked from the very first episode.
From the producers of The Crown, this crime drama fictionalises the real-life story of Jane Andrews, a children’s clothing designer who climbed the social ranks to become a royal dresser to Sarah Ferguson, then the Duchess of York.
From the chilling true story to the all-star cast and release date, here’s everything you need to know about The Lady.
When did The Lady start?
The Lady premiered on ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday 22nd February at 9pm.
Royalty, fashion, murder and a prison escape.
Where can you watch The Lady?
You can watch new episodes of The Lady live on ITV1 and ITVx on Sundays and Mondays at 9pm. All episodes are also available to stream on ITVX for those who prefer to binge the series in one go.
Meet the cast of The Lady
The cast of The Lady is stacked with exciting talent, many of whom are known for being highly selective about the roles they take on.
Leading the series is BAFTA Rising Star winner Mia McKenna-Bruce, who plays Jane Andrews. McKenna-Bruce captured global attention with her breakout performance in How to Have Sex and most recently appeared in Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials. Here, she takes on the complex role of the royal dresser later accused of murder.
Opposite her as Sarah Ferguson is Natalie Dormer, best known for her roles in Game of Thrones, The Tudors and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay.
Jane’s doomed romantic partner, Thomas Cressman, is played by Outlander star Ed Speleers, while Jane’s mother is portrayed by Claire Skinner, beloved for her turn in Outnumbered. The police detective leading the investigation is played by Philip Glenister, best known for Life on Mars and Bergerac.
Rounding out the cast are Laura Aikman (This City Is Ours, Gavin & Stacey), Ophelia Lovibond (Minx), Mark Stanley (Trigger Point), Daniel Ryan (Innocent), and Sean Teale (Doctor Odyssey).
The Lady episode release schedule
Below is the full release schedule for The Lady:
- Episode 1 - Sunday 22nd February at 9pm
- Episode 2 - Monday 23d February at 9pm
- Episode 3 - Sunday 1st March at 9pm
- Episode 4 - Monday 2nd March at 9pm
Is The Lady based on a true story?
While there’s undoubtedly a little dazzle added for dramatic effect, The Lady is very much based on a true story. Told across four episodes, the series centres on Grimsby-born Jane Andrews, a former royal dresser whose apparent rags-to-riches life unravelled when she was convicted of murder.
The official synopsis reads: “Once a young working-class girl from Grimsby, Jane answered an advertisement in The Lady magazine and, to the astonishment of her friends and family, became the Duchess of York’s dresser at Buckingham Palace.
“Moving among the highest social circles in Britain, Jane secured a place within the upper classes — only to lose her job with the Duchess after nine years of service.
“Still reeling from her fall from grace, Jane went on to meet charismatic businessman Thomas Cressman and fell deeply in love. But cracks soon began to form in the romance on which Jane had pinned all her hopes, with disastrous consequences.”
The Lady airs on ITV1 and ITVX.
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