In the early 1930’s, society expected women to become wives and mothers. However six aristocratic sisters chose to defy convention and live life on their own terms. The new BritBox six-part limited series Outrageous tells the scandalous true story of the Mitford sisters.
The Mitford Sisters
The series is narrated by the eldest, Nancy (Bessie Carter), an aspiring novelist. Consequently she takes you on a journey filled with questionable antics, political extremes, heartbreak, and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.
The second sister, Pamela (Isobel Jesper Jones), embracesdthe countryside and animals, earning the title of “poultry connoisseur” and her family’s nickname, “Woman.” In the end she deliberately avoided media attention and rejected the glamour of high society.
Diana (Joanna Vanderham), the third-born, sparked controversy not just for divorcing her first husband but for frequently visiting Germany and developing close ties with prominent Nazis.
Unity (Shannon Watson), socially awkward yet infamous, fixated on fascism and developed an unsettling obsession with Adolf Hitler.
Jessica (Zoe Brough), the second youngest, stood in stark contrast to her sisters. She adopted communist ideals and often clashed with her family over politics.
Lastly, Deborah (Orla Hill), the youngest, avoided scandal. Though she trained as an Olympic-level figure skater, she lived quietly through the era’s turmoil, far removed from her sisters’ controversies.
Based on Mary S. Lovell’s biography The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family, Outrageous explores how the sisters’ individual paths shaped their familial relationships. Rather than live lavish, insulated lives, each woman carved out her own fiercely independent identity. It also asks the question, “Can you still love and respect your family when your beliefs are so extremely opposite?”
Outrageous premiered in North America on BritBox on June 18, 2025, with new episodes releasing weekly.
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