Outrageous Mitford sisters set to feature in new TV drama and makers promise ‘the uncensored version’
DRAMA knows all about gripping shows and now it is having a go at one itself.
I can reveal the UKTV channel famed for repeats is releasing its first original series, called Outrageous.
The six-parter is based on a true story about the Mitfords, six aristocratic English sisters from Northumberland, whose scandalous lives made headlines worldwide in the 1930s.
Two of the siblings famously had far-right leanings with Diana marrying British Union Of Fascists leader Sir Oswald Mosley, while Unity became involved in Nazi politics and had a close relationship with Adolf Hitler in the run-up to World War Two.
A source said: “Drama has been looking at creating its own content for years and their first offering had to be big.
“Bosses believe the incredible story of the Mitford sisters will justify the wait and attract a whole new following for the channel.
READ MORE on DRAMA
“It will truly be the uncensored version, no stone will be left unturned.”
Drama is the home of classic TV drama reruns and currently shows series including Casualty, All Creatures Great And Small, and The Bill.
Outrageous is set to be given a prime spot in the schedules and is likely to be the first of many shows to be made for the channel.
The cast has yet to be announced but writer Sarah Williams, whose previous work includes BBC1 series Small Island, says the Mitfords being central to the plot will ensure “it’s a cracking story” when it airs next summer.
Most read in News TV
Mad, bad and dangerous
She explains: “We’ve seen many fictionalised versions of their lives before, but in this family’s case, the truth really is far stranger and more astonishing than anything you could invent.
“These six headstrong women have often been accused of being mad, bad and dangerous to know — and a couple of them were — but what they all had was the courage of their convictions and to hell with the consequences. That makes for a cracking good story.”
TUBE IN FOR C4’S REALITY
CHANNEL 4 loves reality shows so much it has created a new home for them on YouTube.
4 Reality was launched today on the online platform and will host reality favourites like Celebs Go Dating.
It will also show special full-length episodes, social shorts and exclusive new content.
The first episode of the dating series will land on YouTube the same time it does on All 4, which is right after it airs on E4, so those catching up can do so on the platform of their choice.
The aim of this new “reality destination” is to engage a younger female audience aged 16-24.
Matt Risley, 4Studio managing director, said: “Fandoms are at the heart of 4Studio’s strategies to reach and engage digital audiences.
“4 Reality is the perfect way to harness the passionate conversation already happening around some of our biggest and most entertaining reality shows on YouTube.”
HERE’S GAME OF DUTY
PRIME Video’s new drama may be called The Rig, but you would be forgiven for thinking you were watching a mash-up of Game Of Thrones and Line Of Duty.
The new show – which is released in January – is a supernatural thriller set on an oil rig off the Scottish coast, where all sorts of terrifying things start happening to the crew.
They are played by a cast which includes Martin Compston, Mark Bonnar and Rochenda Sandall, who were all in BBC One cop drama Line of Duty.
Meanwhile, the Game of Thrones stars you will spot include Iain Glen and, I can exclusively reveal, Mark Addy.
Plus Owen Teale was in both shows.
So it was probably left to him to do all the introductions on the first day of filming.
ISLAND PAIR ARE SO CAMP
Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti must have yearned for the luxury of the Love Island villa while filming their new travel show.
During trips to each other’s homelands in Turkey and Italy, the pair went camping – where they were not alone.
Ekin-Su says: “I didn’t know what Davide’s expectations were going to be at first and I wasn’t sure if he would enjoy camping.
“We heard there were bears and pigs nearby us.
“I kept saying, ‘Babe, we are going to go into a caravan and stay on a campsite. How exciting’.”
On the show – their first TV work together since winning Love Island – they also enjoyed an eight-hour campervan ride to Ekin-Su’s family village of Odemis.
But rather than ending up pulling each other’s hair out, they reckon the long trip was bonding.
Discussing Ekin-Su and Davide: Homecomings, which aired last night and continues tonight, she added: “They do say road trips bring you closer together. We just had so much fun mucking around.”
Hope they kept their eyes on the road, too.
WINSLET KEEPS IT IN THE FAMILY
STARRING alongside mum Kate Winslet hasn’t put Mia Threapleton off doing it again.
The young actress says their natural chemistry in new drama I Am Ruth made shooting scenes easier, adding that the experience was “fun and enjoyable”.
Mia says: “The fact that she is my mother, I feel that helped in a way. The chemistry, and the connection, and the emotional bond between us as a mother and daughter who are very close to each other, was already there.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
In the show, Kate plays mum Ruth and Mia plays her daughter Freya, who is suffering a mental health crisis.
The Channel 4 drama airs next Thursday at 9pm.