Nancy Mitford

Outrageous star James Purefoy teases season 2 for period drama ‘They’d be mad not to’

U and U&Drama’s new historical series Outrageous has scored rave reviews, but will the Mitford sisters’ story continue?

James Purefoy as David Freeman-Mitford
James Purefoy portrays the Mitfords’ father in the new period drama(Image: U)

The cast of Outrageous are all keen to return for a second series of the gripping historical drama following its premiere this week.

Releasing this Thursday (19th June) on U, U&Drama and BritBox, the six-part first outing follows Nancy Mitford (played by Bessie Carter) and her five sisters’ ascent to notoriety in the 1930s.

While Nancy was becoming a reputable author and journalist, her sisters were either breaking the rules of society or rubbing shoulders with fascists.

After taking off the rose-tinted glasses for a key era of British history, will Outrageous continue the scandalous narrative in a second outing?

Acclaimed star James Purefoy, who portrays the Mitfords’ father, insists: “They’d be mad not to, I think.”

James Purefoy
Netflix star warns his new period drama will ‘wake people up’(Image: GETTY)

Reach chatted to Purefoy and the rest of the cast at the show’s London premiere, and enthusiasm to continue was high across the board.

“I think it’s a great show and there’s a lot more meat on these bones,” he continued. “We’re only at 1937, with loads more to come.”

Along with Bridgerton star Carter portraying Nancy, the Mitford family is brought to life by a crop of both established stars and new talent to watch out for.

In addition to Anna Chancellor portraying their dedicated mother, Joanna Vanderham and Shannon Watson portray fascist sympathisers Diana and Unity and Isobel Jesper Jones plays Pamela Mitford, who defied gender norms of the time.

Bessie Carter as Nancy Mitford
Bridgerton star Bessie Carter leads the drama as author Nancy Mitford(Image: U)

Zoe Brough and Orla Hill portray the youngest sisters, Jessica and Deborah and, finally, Toby Regbo portrays the only brother, Tom Mitford.

Jones teases of a potential second season: “There is so much history to cover. It’s the tip of the iceberg, there’s so much more they go on to do.

“Pamela’s story, in particular, is so interesting beyond the 1930s. I really hope that we’ll get to do that. If anything it gets more chaotic and more outrageous.”

And Hill was equally enthusiastic to return, saying: “I would love to.

Cast of Outrageous
Discover the scandals of one of the most famous families in Britain(Image: U)

“I’m desperate to because Deborah starts to come out to society and then had a crazy, teenage… her sweet 16 was pretty [crazy], hanging out with the Kennedys.

“One of the most interesting things about Outrageous is you have all those really famous historical figures that we know just trickling in,” she added.

“Having some of that for my character’s storyline would be really fun.”

From the first episode’s surprise appearance of Winston Churchill (Robert Daws), it’s clear the Mitfords were one of the most well-connected families in Britain during the early 20th Century.

With plenty more history to cover, a second season could feature cameos galore from famous faces as well as plenty more scandalous revelations about the Mitfords.

Outrageous is available to stream on U, U&Drama and BritBox.

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Outrageous’ James Purefoy on ‘joy’ of reuniting with co-star as hidden Batman link explained

Two British icons of the screen finally join forces in the new period drama Outrageous, releasing this week on U and U&Drama

Outrageous star James Purefoy has opened up about working with his long-time friend Anna Chancellor for the first time ever in the upcoming period drama.

This scandalous series coming this week on U and U&Drama takes viewers back to the 1930s when the shadow of World War II was beginning to loom.

While Nancy Mitford (played by Bessie Carter) becomes a reputable writer, her sisters follow drastically different career paths.

Under the stern eyes of their parents, David Freeman-Mitford aka ‘Farve’ (Purefoy) and Sydney Bowles aka ‘Muv’ (Chancellor), the family is catapulted into notoriety as the sisters become rebels, socialites and even rub shoulders with fascists.

Speaking to Reach at Outrageous’ London premiere, Purefoy explained his co-star has been a dear friend for years despite never sharing the screen.

Cast of Outrageous
‘Farve’ and ‘Muv’ try to rule their home with an iron fist(Image: U)

“She’s an amazing actress,” he said. “She’s the godmother to my eldest child, I’ve known her 35 years and this is the first time I’ve worked with her.

“It was just a joy working with a really old friend because there’s a lot of shorthand there and it was a very easy fit for us.

“It was just an enormous pleasure every single day.”

Throughout the six-part drama, the Mitford patriarch struggles to keep his foothold in high society following a substantial loss during the Wall Street Crash.

Although he attempts to rule his household with an iron fist, his anarchic daughters have other ideas.

As Britain faced economic turmoil in the years preceding the war, his daughters Diana (Joanna Vanderham) and Unity (Shannon Watson) blindly swear allegiance to the British Union of Fascists.

Meanwhile, Muv is simply desperate for her daughters to find good husbands during an era when family connections meant everything.

Anna Chancellor as Sydney Bowles
James Purefoy has known Anna Chancellor for more than 30 years(Image: U)

“The thing about Anna is she’s so curious about everybody and everything,” Purefoy added.

“She will talk to anybody about anything. And is always interested, and that’s what makes her such a good actress.”

This isn’t the first time Purefoy and Chancellor have been involved in the same project, however.

Chancellor portrayed a fascist herself, the villainous Dr. Frances Gaunt, in the popular Batman prequel series Pennyworth, starring Jack Bannon as the nocturnal hero’s future butler Alfred.

Despite not sharing scenes together, Purefoy also had a major role in the Epix and HBO Max series, playing Captain Gulliver ‘Gully’ Troy, aka Captain Blighty, in the second and third seasons.

As two legendary stars of the British stage and screen, don’t miss the chance to see Purefoy and Chancellor as married aristocrats in this scandalous new drama that truly lives up to its title.

Outrageous premieres Thursday, 19th June on U, U&Drama and BritBox.

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