From Charles to Luis Castillo, why The Lady changed the names of these 6 real-life figures
The Lady is "inspired" by Jane Andrews' story
ITV’s The Lady is “inspired” by the true story of Jane Andrews, Fergie’s ex-dresser. That means some characters aren’t actual people – but they’re clearly based on real-life figures.
Andrews (played by Mia McKenna-Bruce) served as Sarah Ferguson’s aide for almost a decade. Four years after she was let go, she was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for murdering her boyfriend, Tom Cressman.
The Lady follows her from her hometown to Buckingham Palace, charting her rise and tragic fall.
While several real-life characters appear (like Fergie and Cressman), others are fictitious – at least partly.
Why The Lady changed real-life people’s names
The Lady may tell Jane Andrews’ story, but it isn’t – nor does it ever claim to be – a 100% accurate account.
As each episode’s opening disclaimer outlines, “some names have been changed and some characters, events, and scenes have been created and merged for dramatic purposes”.
Some characters are directly based on real people, like Jane Andrews, Tom Cressman, his and her family, and Sarah Ferguson. Others, while inspired by people, are tailored to support the show’s narrative.
Gordon Firemark, an entertainment lawyer, explained: “When you’re telling stories about real people, you have to be careful that you’re being truthful.
“Making false statements about people that harm their reputation is defamation, libel if it’s recorded, published, etc., and slander if it’s merely spoken between individuals. It doesn’t really matter whether the people you’re talking about are living or dead. You still have to be truthful.”
There’s also the matter of permission: while unconfirmed, some people may not have permitted their names to be used in the drama.
The aftermath of Baby Reindeer is especially notable. The Netflix drama was based on Richard Gadd’s real-life stalking ordeal – but, in the show, his stalker has a different name. Amid its immense popularity, Fiona Harvey spoke out and claimed to be the “real Martha”, and announced plans to sue the streaming platform.
Gadd defended the show, arguing, “What’s been borrowed is an emotional truth, not a fact-by-fact profile of someone.”
Characters inspired by real people in The Lady
Given that The Lady isn’t a direct, wholly accurate account of Andrews’ story, some characters aren’t actual people. However, they’re clearly inspired by real-life people – so we’ve put them side-by-side.
Mark Stanley’s Charles
Charles appears to be inspired by Christopher Dunn-Butler, Andrews’ husband from whom she divorced in 1995.
In the drama, Andrews meets Charles at a bar. They get married, and they have a peaceful life together, but she grows tired of his “ordinary” aspirations. In real life, Andrews said work pressures led to their separation, but Dunn-Butler accused her of being unfaithful.
“There was no physical relationship any more and we were more like good friends. I had a couple of flings. I’m not proud of it,” she said (via The Guardian).
Philip Glenister’s DCI Keith Douglas
Philip Glenister plays DCI Keith Douglas, who leads the investigation into Andrews after the murder.
“A seasoned detective hardened by many years on the force, he is known for his cool head and steady command,” his character description reads.
“DCI Douglas is convinced that Jane is guilty from the start, despite moments of doubt from those around him.”
Douglas appears to be inspired by former detective superintendent Jim Dickie, who led the initial murder inquiry.
In an earlier ITV documentary, he said of Andrews: “She is a cold-blooded murderer. Any man who gets into a relationship with her needs his head tested.”
Laura Aikman’s Francesca
Francesca appears throughout The Lady. As Andrews tells her friends, she’s said to own her own hair salon.
This would suggest she’s inspired, in part, 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.
Aleksandra (played by Ophelia Lovibond) also appears to be inspired by Ellery-Sharp.
Sean Teale’s Luis Castillo
Andrews meets Luis Castillo in episode 2 of The Lady. “Stepfather’s in shipping, mother does all the charities,” Aleksandra tells her.
He appears to be inspired by Dimitri Horne, the son of a Greek shipping magnate who was Andrews’ former partner before she was made redundant.
Philip Arditti’s Count Fabrizio
Count Fabrizio is also introduced in the second episode of The Lady.
He’s an Italian count, and as Aleksandra observes, “[Fergie] seems rather taken with him.”
There’s a clear inspiration for him: Count Gaddo della Gherardesca, a Tuscan aristocrat to whom Ferguson was close. They spent a lot of time together, socialising and travelling the world and even spending time with one another’s children.
As reported by BBC News, Gherardesca earlier spoke of his love for Fergie, calling her an “extraordinary woman”.
Andrews also alleged that Gherardesca had feelings for her, which led to her firing – a claim denied by palace officials.
Read more: The Lady filming locations: From ‘Grimsby’ to ‘Greece’, and if that’s really Buckingham Palace
