Surrounded by public scandal, political extremism, love, heartache and even imprisonment, the Mitfords captured the attention of the British public throughout the 1930s and beyond. Now, a period drama is introducing the glamorous sisters to a whole new audience.
We take a look at the real-life family it's based on, as well as the filming locations used in the series. With one of the sisters marrying the Duke of Devonshire, will Chatsworth make an appearance?
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What is Outrageous about?
Outrageous focuses on the scandalous lives on the six Mitford sisters, as well as their brother Tom. The six part series focuses on the years leading up to World War II.
Where can I watch Outrageous?
Outrageous will be available to watch on U&DRAMA and U in the UK and Britbox in North America on 18 June 2025.
Who were the Mitfords?
The Mitfords were an aristocratic English family who rose to fame (and infamy) in the 1930s. The six sisters (Nancy, Pamela, Diana, Unity, Jessica and Deborah), as well as their brother Tom, were brought up in a stately home in genteel poverty, and their lack of formal education and eccentric upbringing combined with their glamour made them popular with the UK press. Nancy Mitford went on to write novels, including The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate.
However, it was the personal and political alliances of Nancy's sisters that really made headlines. Diana married the brewing heir Bryan Guinness, but later courted scandal by having a public affair with the leader of the British Union of Fascists, Sir Oswald Mosley. She later married him. Unity Mitford took up with the fascist cause and moved to Germany to be involved with Nazi politics. Deborah Mitford married Lord Andrew Cavendish in 1941 and moved into his family estate Chatsworth. She is credited with helping to commercialise the estate at a time when many others had faced financial ruin.
Who stars in Outrageous?
Bessie Carter stars as Nancy Mitford. She's no stranger to a historical TV drama, as she's best known for playing Prudence Featherington in Netflix's Bridgerton. Her father, Jim Carter, played butler Mr Carson in Downton Abbey, and her mother, Imelda Staunton, played the unlikeable Professor Umbridge in the Harry Potter films.
The cast also includes Anna Chancellor as the Mitfords' mother and James Purefoy as their father.
Where is Outrageous filmed?
Outrageous was filmed in and around Buckinghamshire. A red brick manor can be seen in a first look at the trailer – with its links to secret operations during World War II, will Hughenden Manor be used as the Mitford family estate?
But with plenty of country estates and historical places to choose from in the county, we can't wait to see these lavish locations onscreen.
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Main image: still from Outrageous. Credit: UKTV / BritBox / BBC Studios