The Lady real-life people in pictures alongside cast counterparts and Jane Andrews looks surprisingly different
See Fergie and the show's Game of Thrones star side by side
ITV’s The Lady is a new drama about Jane Andrews, Sarah Ferguson’s former dresser, who was convicted of murder. It’s “inspired” by the true story – and, in these pictures, you can see how its stars compare to the real-life people.
The series follows Andrews (played by Mia McKenna-Bruce) after she lands her dream job in Buckingham Palace. She grows close to Fergie (Natalie Dormer), but as their relationship falls apart, things take a dark, tragic turn after she meets a new man.
To be clear, the story isn’t 100% accurate. From the outset, it warns that some scenes have been “created and merged for dramatic purposes”, and other characters are fictitious.
That said, they’re all based on real-life people – so, if you’ve watched The Lady, you can compare its stars to their counterparts below.
The Lady cast vs real-life people in pictures
Mia McKenna-Bruce as Jane Andrews
Mia McKenna-Bruce plays Jane Andrews, who served under Sarah Ferguson as her dresser for almost a decade.
According to Buckingham Palace, she was let go as part of a “cost-cutting exercise”. Four years later, she was convicted of murdering her boyfriend, Tom Cressman.
As Debbie O’Malley, the writer behind The Lady, explained, “it was a doomed love story”.
“The headlines referred to Jane as the fatal attraction killer, or the bunny boiler, or the gold digger, who, when she was thwarted, turned on him,” she told ITV.
“Bu, actually, this was a real relationship between two people who had been together for two years and were planning to build a life together that ended in murder.”
Natalie Dormer as Sarah Ferguson
Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ex-wife, is brought to life by Natalie Dormer in The Lady.
Fergie has rarely commented on her relationship with Andrews, though she did write in a travel book (via Tatler) that her “loyalty and kindness knows no bounds”.
Dormer has opted not to promote the series, citing Ferguson’s connections to the late, disgraced Jeffrey Epstein.
“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,” she said in a statement.
“For that reason, I will not be taking part in the promotion of the project.”
Ed Speelers as Tom Cressman
Ed Speelers plays Tom Cressman, Jane Andrews’ ill-fated partner who’s introduced in the second episode of The Lady.
As Speelers’ says in the drama, Cressman was a reputable grafter: a former stockbroker who made a living selling car accessories. Two years into their relationship, tensions reached boiling point after he refused to propose – which led to his murder.
The actor spoke to Cressman’s family during the making of the series. “To be honest, they wanted to speak to me,” he told ITV.
“I remember how nervous I was ahead of the first time I spoke to his brother. But in the event, he had a very frank conversation with me. He talked very highly of his brother, discussing his footballing days and his love of cars in such an easy way.
“There was a real sensitivity from our production, understandably, about how you deal with these real-life characters and how you communicate with their families… however, they were very gracious in their communication with me.”
Claire Skinner and Daniel Ryan as June and David Andrews
June and David Andrews, Jane’s parents, are played by Claire Skinner and Daniel Ryan respectively.
In real life, June was a social worker and primary school teacher, while David worked as a builder. According to Andrews’ cousin Kim Hartley, her parents have always supported her.
“Her parents have always stood by her despite everything. They have always been there for her and always will,” she said (via the Express).
In 2009, when Andrews escaped from her open prison, they met her (alongside her brother, Jonathan) at a Premier Inn.
After Andrews’ appeal was denied, June was quoted as saying, “I have nothing to say. I am too upset. I believe my daughter and will always believe my daughter.”
James Anderson as Rick Cressman
Rick Cressman, Tom’s brother, is portrayed by James Anderson.
Rick cooperated with ITV and its stars during the development of The Lady. However, he has criticised the perennial interest in his brother’s murder.
“As victims of a terrible crime, our family has had to try to cope with all these programmes, some of which have been very disturbing, very hurtful and inaccurate,” he told The Sun last year.
“At the age of almost 75, I feel like I’ve had to keep going over and over my brother’s murder now for 25 years – and it’s still going on. It all gets raked through again and again.”
Read more: The best movies to stream for free on ITVX
