The Lady cast includes infamous Gavin & Stacey villain and unknown actress in blink-and-you'll-miss-it Princess Diana scene
ITV's drama about Fergie's killer aide starts tonight
The Lady, ITV’s new drama about Fergie’s killer ex-aide Jane Andrews, has a stacked cast – including stars from Outnumbered, Gavin and Stacey, and Game of Thrones.
Andrews served as Sarah Ferguson’s royal dresser for almost 10 years. Four years after she was sacked (in a “cost-cutting” exercise), she was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her boyfriend, Tom Cressman.
That’s the story charted by The Lady, following Andrews’ “rise and fall” and “rags to riches fairy tale” and her relationship with the former Duchess of York.
You’d perhaps expect to see some other royal figures, given Andrews’ story – but there’s only one other appearance.
***Warning: real-life details that may spoil The Lady ahead***
The Lady cast and characters
Mia McKenna-Bruce plays Jane Andrews
Who is Jane Andrews?
Mia McKenna-Bruce plays Jane Andrews, Sarah Ferguson’s ex-dresser, who went on to murder her partner, Tom Cressman.
The series opens with Andrews’ humble life in the north of England, forever dreaming of the royal lifestyle and hoping not to end up like the other local girls – aka, working in a factory. However, her life changes when she suddenly gets her dream job.
In our version of the story, when she did go to work at the palace, the more she got glimpses of that life, the more she wanted it,” the actress said.
As for how it felt to play a real-life convicted murderer, McKenna-Bruce said: “There were moments on set when we really felt that [great responsibility].
“[Tom Cressman’s] relatives had conversations with [Left Bank Pictures] and knew what we were doing. Ed [Speelers] himself had conversations with Tommy’s relatives as well. We were trying to tell the story with as much care as possible.”
What else has Mia McKenna-Bruce been in?
Agatha Christie fans should recognise Mia McKenna-Bruce from her recent appearance in Netflix’s Seven Dials.
She’s also a BAFTA winner, taking home the Rising Star Award after her acclaimed performance in How to Have Sex. In her younger years, she played Tee Taylor in Tracy Beaker Returns and Jack and Selina’s daughter Penny Branning in EastEnders.
Natalie Dormer as Sarah Ferguson
Why Fergie is a big part of The Lady
Sarah Ferguson, widely known as Fergie, was Andrews’ boss. In The Lady, they have a close bond, often gabbing about men and eventually traveling the world together.
In real life, Fergie was married to ex-prince Andrew until 1996, and she stopped using the ‘courtesy title’ of Duchess of York in October last year.
Fergie also had connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the late, disgraced financier. After a leaked email revealed Ferguson apologising to Epstein and calling him a “supreme friend”, Dormer has said she won’t be promoting the show.
“When I agreed to take the role in The Lady, I knew portraying the script’s Sarah Ferguson would require nuance. People are layered, their journeys are full of highs and lows, and as an actor, my job is to lean into those elements and bring them to life with honesty and empathy,” the actress said.
“Since completing the project, new information has come to light that makes it impossible for me to reconcile my values with Sarah Ferguson’s behaviour, which I believe is inexcusable.
“For that reason, I will not be taking part in the promotion of the project.”
Natalie Dormer movies and TV shows
Dormer rocketed to worldwide fame for her performance as Margaery Tyrell in Game of Thrones.
She also played Anne Boleyn in The Tudors, Cressida in The Hunger Games movies, and starred in Elementary and White Lies.
Ed Speleers as Tom Cressman
Who is Tom Cressman in the story?
Tom Cressman was Jane Andrews’ boyfriend – and she killed him in September 2000.
We won’t go into too many details about the true story, for those who are unfamiliar with it before watching the drama. We will say this: Andrews and Cressman were together for two years, and after two failed relationships, Andrews had hoped to be with Cressman for the long haul.
As Speelers told ITV, “there is huge sensitivity around discussing Tommy because his family is still very much present”.
However, the actor described Cressman as “very much the life and soul of the party”.
“I hope that the family see enough of Tommy in the good times and recognises a nod towards their brother. Of course, it’s a deeply tragic story. So it’s going to be, I imagine, a really tough watch for them. However, they were very gracious in their communication with me,” he added.
Ed Speleers’ most notable movies and TV roles
Gen Zers and millennials will know Ed Speelers, even if they don’t realise it. He played Eragon in… Eragon.
He’s also starred in some major TV shows, whether it’s playing Jimmy in Downton Abbey or starring in Wolf Hall, Outlander, and Netflix’s You.
Mark Stanley plays Charles
How Charles fits into The Lady
Mark Stanley plays Charles, Jane Andrews’ husband, whom she meets on a night out.
He’s an ordinary, well-off bloke; a banker who doesn’t live to work and doesn’t have dreams of exorbitant wealth.
Charles isn’t a real-life person, but he’s inspired
Where you’ve seen Mark Stanley before
Mark Stanley has quietly built a career in some major TV projects. For example, he played Rob, Ryan’s angsty football coach, in Happy Valley series 3.
He also played DI Thom Youngblood in Trigger Point, and he’s appeared in White House Farm, Anne Boleyn, The Bay, Adolescence, and of late, Under Salt Marsh.
Philip Glenister as DCI Keith Douglas
Who is DCI Keith Douglas?
Philip Glenister plays DCI Keith Douglas, who leads the investigation into Tom Cressman’s death and the ensuing manhunt for Jane Andrews.
“A seasoned detective hardened by many years on the force, he is known for his cool head and steady command. DCI Douglas is convinced that Jane is guilty from the start, despite moments of doubt from those around him,” ITV’s character bio reads.
Unlike others on this list, Douglas isn’t a real-life person. He appears to have been inspired by former Superintendent Jim Dickie, who led the murder inquiry.
Philip Glenister’s biggest roles
Glenister has a long list of roles you’ll definitely be familiar with – and, if not, you should rectify that error.
Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes are probably his biggest and best shows, but he also appeared in Mad Dogs, Prey, After the Flood, and UKTV’s Bergerac reboot.
Claire Skinner and Daniel Ryan as June and David Andrews
Who are June and David Andrews?
Claire Skinner and Daniel Ryan play June and David Andrews, Jane’s parents. In the first two episodes, they’re supportive of Jane – if occasionally a little worried about her being out of her depth.
In the wake of Andrews’ conviction and losing her first appeal, June said: “I have nothing to say, I am too upset. I believe my daughter and will always believe my daughter.”
Claire Skinner and Daniel Ryan’s past TV and film roles
Claire Skinner is best known for playing Sue in Outnumbered, but she’s also starred in Second Sight, Life Begins, and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.
You may also Daniel Ryan from his roles in Linda Green, The Government Inspector, and The Whistleblowers. Since 2019, he’s starred in The Bay as DI Tony Manning.
Laura Aikman as Francesca
Who is Francesca?
Laura Aikman plays Francesca, one of Jane’s friends. As she tells Aleksandra, she has her own hair salon.
While Francesca isn’t a real person, she appears to be inspired by Lucinda Ellery-Sharp, a friend of Andrews who gave testimony in her trial and spoke to the press after her murder conviction.
In a Herald report, Ellery-Sharp was described as a hair specialist, and she told the publication that losing her job had a “profound” impact on Andrews.
Why you recognise Laura Aikman
Laura Aikman played one of British TV’s most notoriously loathsome characters: Sonia, Smithy’s detestable girlfriend in the later Gavin and Stacey episodes.
The actress has also appeared in This City is Ours, Archie, Death in Paradise, and The Split.
Ophelia Lovibond as Aleksandra
Who is Aleksandra?
Ophelia Lovibond plays Aleksandra, a royal aide who becomes friends with Andrews.
Again, Aleksandra isn’t a real person. She appears to be a totally fictitious character created for the drama.
Ophelia Lovibond’s film and TV career
You may recognise Ophelia Lovibond from her roles in Minx, The Autopsy of Jane Doe, and Elementary. She also played Carina in the MCU’s Thor: The Dark World and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Sean Teale as Luis Castillo
Who is Luis Castillo?
Sean Teale plays Luis Castillo, whom Andrews meets while abroad on a promotional trip with Fergie.
Castillo is another invention for the show, but he’s clearly based on a real person: Dimitri Horne, the son of a Greek shipping magnate whom Andrew met following her divorce.
Sean Teale’s most recognisable roles
Sean Teale’s career dates back to 2010, starting in shows like Skins, The Bible, and Reign. He’s since appeared in Who is Erin Carter?, Doctor Odyssey, and The Gold.
Philip Arditti as Count Fabrizio
What to know about Count Fabrizio
Count Fabrizio is an aristocrat whom Fergie meets while abroad, and they strike up a close relationship.
Count Gaddo della Gherardesca is Fabrizio’s real-life counterpart, and it was believed that he had an affair with Fergie.
Philip Arditti’s past screen appearances
Philip Arditti may be best known for his role as Uday Hussein in House of Saddam. However, he has also starred in Red 2, The Daish Girl, and Breathtaking.
James Anderson as Rick Cressman
How Rick Cressman connects to the story
James Anderson plays Rick Cressman, Tom’s brother.
Cressman had been critical of The Lady and other projects based on his brother’s murder. Not because they’re inaccurate, but as he told The Sun: “I feel like I’ve had to keep going over and over my brother’s murder now for 25 years.
“TV programmes can ride roughshod over victims of crime and we have no rights because the person who has been killed is gone.”
However, according to executive producer Rebecca Hodgson, it was a “relief” when the show’s team started talking to him.
“We quickly realised that he just wanted Tommy to be portrayed as the person he remembered,” she explained.
James Anderson’s previous TV and film work
Holby City fans will recognise James Anderson from his 12 years playing Oliver Valentine. He’s also appeared in Poirot, Father Brown, and Endeavour.
Who plays Princess Diana in The Lady?
Princess Diana appears in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it scene in episode 1 (at the 26:30 mark, if you want to skip right there).
She can be seen having a chat, moaning about her husband (King Charles), and having a glass of bubbly with Fergie.
However, if you try to find “Diana” or an equivalent name in the credits, she’s nowhere to be found. It’s unclear which actress played her in the short scene, but it’s an uncredited cameo (for now).
Full cast list
- Stephanie Street as DS Smart
- Emily Stott as Bex
- Freddie Wise as Timmo
- Yasmin Ali as Nina
- Hannah Chinn as Raquel
- Ella Bruccoleri as Angela
- Caroline Faber as Ruth
- Georgina Hellier as Sally
- Tom Milligan as Alistair
- Joe Barnes as Josh
- Joseph Ollman as Leo
- Graham Dickson as Duncan
- Nicholas Banks as Henry
- Samuel Jordan as PC Maguire
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