Outrageous

The Mitfords are one of, if not THE, most interesting families of the 20th century, so l've been waiting for this biopic for some time, even though much has been used in Nancy's biographic novels 'The Pursuit of Love' and 'Love in a Cold Climate', both of which have been adapted for television several times. Their story is seen through the eyes of the eldest Mitford, Nancy, the author and although the sisters bear no physical resemblance to the reality (that would be hoping for too much) the characters are fairly well defined, if a little bland in some cases. My grandfather met Nancy when a Bright Young Thing and took her to a party. I don't know what he would have made of this. What is missing is the distinctive Mitford drawl, which you can hear in interviews, obviously toned down for modern 'Estuary English' audiences. What redeems this series however is the love the sisters have for each other, even though often diametrically opposed to each other.

Ninety percent of the dialogue in this series is given over to exposition -- characters conveniently explaining things to one another, describing events we never get to see, or summarizing various plot developments -- and this strictly functional dialogue (along with Nancy Mitford's voice-over narration) has to do a great deal of work, since the series is filled with all manner of events, comings and goings, whirlwind romances, debutante balls, weddings, break-ups, divorces, financial crises, political allegiances, trips abroad, spats between siblings, reconciliations, etc. -- so the whole busy story with its multiple points of view, though handsomely mounted, feels somewhat artificial and contrived.

However, the acting is so good, by virtually all concerned, that the series is quite likable and a pleasure to watch. I particularly admired Bessie Carter as Nancy and Shannon Watson as Unity, but all the cast was excellent, including the actors (though the men in the series tend to be a fairly caddish and inadequate bunch).

Outrageous is a long-overdue dramatisation of the Mitford sisters, bringing to life one of the most extraordinary and divisive families in 20th-century Britain. Set against the backdrop of a country on the brink of war, the show cleverly frames the story through Nancy's eyes, allowing for a rich, intimate view of the family's tangled dynamics rather than a dry historical checklist. The acting and casting are superb, each sister is pitch-perfect, capturing their eccentricities and contradictions with warmth, sharpness and real emotional weight. Even moments I thought I knew surprised me in performance. My only complaint is that we don't have a second series yet. It's brilliantly addictive, almost impossible not to binge in one go.

This drama portrays life in the 1930s of the extraordinary Mitford family.

In fact it could have been called Extraordinary rather than Outrageous.

The protagonist is Nancy Mitford who became an established author.

The telling of their lives underlines just how autobiographical Nancy's most famous publications really are, The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate.

Their pursuit of love wasn't really love at all, it was the pursuit of an eligible men with an income that would keep the Mitford sisters in the style of life to which they were accustomed.

As such, in the 1930s, they had very little to offer and their whole existence seemed to be aimed at "coming out" or presented to society at the annual debutants ball.

Very shallow indeed, but these were not ordinary women they held very strong views not always in alignment with one another, so much so that Unity and Diana finding themselves embroiled in Fascism.

Anyway, it is a good drama and is enhanced with a mainly unfamiliar cast. Only Anna Chancellor, as the mother, being instantly recognizable.

This is a fantastic series telling the true story of the six Mitford sisters. One a famous author, two famous nazi lovers.

There is some great acting from most of the cast - the actresses playing Unity and Diana not so great. The real Diana was a renowned beauty and blindly admired Hitler. We don't see her beauty here. The peroxide blonde gives us a wooden performance and she delivers her lines in a monotone way. She doesn't move her face or mouth, maybe worrying about messing up her make up. The other sisters have great speaking voices but this actress attempts a cut glass accent and it doesn't work. Another actress would have portrayed her in a more natural way.

Nancy, the narrator is my favourite. A brilliant actress giving a natural performance.

The Battle of Cable Street put an end to Moseley's vision of a facist England.