In the dazzling yet turbulent world of 1930s British high society, few families captured the public’s imagination quite like the Mitford sisters. Their story—equal parts glamorous, scandalous, and deeply human—is now brought to life in BritBox’s bold new series, Outrageous. Based on Mary Lovell’s definitive biography, The Mitford Girls, the show dives into the lives of six aristocratic sisters whose defiance of societal norms, complex personal choices, and often controversial paths made them icons of their era. AMFM Magazine sat down with actress Bessie Carter, one of the stars of Outrageous, to discuss the joys and challenges of portraying these larger-than-life figures, the sisterly bonds that defined them, and the relevance of their story today.
A Summer of Joy on Set
For Bessie Carter, filming Outrageous was nothing short of a dream. “It was one of the best jobs I’ve ever done,” she enthuses. “I had the best summer of my life. It was such a rewarding experience.” The camaraderie among the cast and crew, combined with the fascinating material, made the production a highlight of her career. “It was such a good group of people, and it was such an interesting character and piece to be a part of,” she adds, her excitement palpable.
One of Carter’s fondest memories from the set encapsulates the playful spirit of the production. “The best day was when I got to lie on a sun lounger all day long by the swimming pool while we shot the opening,” she recalls with a laugh. “I was like, what could I possibly need? I’ve got my water, my sun lounger, my SPF on. It was a dream.” Another highlight was an impromptu adventure with her co-stars, still in their period wigs, to a local supermarket for a picnic. “We all got into a car—me, Joanna with her blond wig and sunglasses on—and bought pineapple, Diet Coke, and lollies,” she says, chuckling at the memory of reading a Vanity Fair article about the show while munching on their haul. “It was just very funny—the Mitfords in the wild.”
Telling a True Story with Heart
Outrageous marks the first time the Mitford sisters’ story has been told on screen, a responsibility Carter and her team approached with both excitement and reverence. The series delves into the lives of Nancy, Pamela, Diana, Unity, Jessica, and Deborah Mitford, whose choices—from literary pursuits to political extremism—shocked and fascinated the world. “To think that some of these stories are true, or a lot of the story is… it’s sometimes stranger than fiction,” Carter marvels. “You can’t quite believe it.”
The show, much like The Crown, blends historical fact with imaginative storytelling, offering a glimpse behind the curtain of the Mitfords’ lives. “Our amazing writer imagined how they might feel about those things,” Carter explains. “At its heart, it’s a family drama, which I think is why it’s so appealing.” The series explores the sisters’ relationships with each other, their conflicting ideologies, and the emotional toll of their choices, set against the backdrop of a world on the brink of war.
For Carter, the opportunity to portray such complex characters was thrilling. “It’s the first-ever telling of them on screen, which I was so overexcited about,” she says. “Most people I speak to, they’re like, ‘I had to go down a Google dive.’ The moment you start watching, you’re like, what the hell?” The Mitfords’ story, she notes, resonates differently depending on the audience. In the UK, “people either know absolutely everything about them or know nothing,” while for Americans and Canadians, it’s a fresh and captivating tale.
A Story for Today
At the core of Outrageous lies a question that feels strikingly relevant in today’s polarized world: Can you love a family member and despise their politics? “That’s very relevant at the moment,” Carter reflects. “What this show hopefully sparks is a conversation about how to come toward someone who might have different views instead of slamming a door in their face.” She hopes viewers will leave the series pondering how to listen, understand, and connect despite differences. “How can I learn why they might be going x, y, z route?” she muses. “Rather than cancel and isolate, because none of us are good in isolation. We are a community. We are a village.”
The Mitford sisters’ story, with its blend of glamour, rebellion, and moral complexity, offers a lens through which to explore these themes. From Diana’s controversial marriage to a fascist leader to Jessica’s embrace of communism, the sisters’ paths were as diverse as they were divisive. Yet, as Carter points out, their story is fundamentally human. “It’s about family bonds and betrayals,” she says, a saga of love, loyalty, and the courage to forge one’s own path.
Advice for Aspiring Actors
Carter’s passion for her craft shines through, but she’s candid about the challenges of the industry. “It looks really fun, and it is most of the time when you’re actually working, but half the time you’re not working,” she admits. “You audition for ten things, you get one, and you don’t get nine.” Her advice to aspiring actors is grounded and practical: cultivate resilience, pursue other interests, and maintain a thick skin. “If there’s anything else you can do, do that,” she says with a laugh, echoing advice from her time on her drama school’s audition panel. “Look after yourself, sleep well, eat well, surround yourself with grounded people so your head doesn’t get too bloody big.”
For Carter, acting is about truth. “My Bible is my script,” she says. “I do a lot of prep, and then I let it all go and just try to be as truthful as I can be in that situation.” In a period drama like Outrageous, where costumes and sets transport viewers to 1931, her focus remains on authenticity. “I don’t have to act 1931,” she explains. “The clothes, the location, all of that does that for you. All I have to do is be truthful.”
Looking Ahead
As Outrageous captivates audiences, Carter is already busy with new projects. She’s currently starring alongside her real-life mother in a George Bernard Shaw play at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End, a production that explores women’s fight for better opportunities in 1910. “Me and my mom are very much tearing chunks of meat out of each other on stage every night,” she says with a grin. She’s also producing several projects, balancing her acting career with her creative ambitions behind the scenes.
As for Outrageous, Carter is hopeful for a second season. “That’s what we’re really hoping for,” she says, her enthusiasm undimmed. With its rich storytelling and timely themes, the series is poised to spark conversations and inspire viewers to dive into the Mitfords’ extraordinary world.
Outrageous is now streaming on BritBox, inviting audiences to discover the Mitford sisters—unapologetic, outrageous, and utterly human. As Bessie Carter brings their story to life, she reminds us of the power of family, the complexity of belief, and the enduring allure of those who dare to defy the rules.
