New images of the upcoming ITV series The Lady have been shared ahead of the show’s release. The four-part drama follows the story of Sarah Ferguson’s former dresser, Jane Andrews, who was convicted of murdering her lover in 2001. Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer takes on the role of the former Duchess in the upcoming drama; meanwhile, BAFTA winner Mia McKenna-Bruce plays Jane.
Elsewhere in the cast, Outlander’s Ed Speleers will play her victim, Thomas Cressman, with other notable names set to star, including Philip Glenister, Claire Skinner from Outnumbered, and Laura Aikman, best known for Gavin and Stacey. The Lady charts Jane Andrews’ rags-to-riches story, which fell apart when she was convicted of murder. While the release date is yet to be confirmed, it is likely that the show will air in early 2026.
The show has already been met with controversy as Natalie Dormer announced that she would not be promoting the series after the fallout caused by Sarah Ferguson’s ties to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. She went on to say that she is planning to donate her fee from the show to a charity focused on child abuse.
The two quickly formed a fast friendship, and it has been widely reported that Sarah even affectionately dubbed her new employee ‘Lady Jane’ during the course of their connection. But the dresser reportedly tried to imitate every aspect of her life from her personal style right through to her accent. She was often seen amongst the highest social circles in the UK, and Jane managed to secure a place in the upper-classes, only to lose her job with the Duchess after nine years of service.
Still reeling from her fall from grace, Jane went on to meet charismatic businessman Thomas Cressman and developed a relationship. Cracks began to develop in the romance Jane had pinned all her hopes on, with disastrous consequences.
(Image: ITV)
One night, when he went to sleep, Jane hit him with a cricket bat and stabbed him in the chest, killing him in their Fulham flat. She went on the run and police hunted for four days until they found her in her car in Cornwall, overdosed on painkillers. Jane denied murder at her 2001 Old Bailey trial, and accused Thomas of being abusive and claimed she killed him by accident in self-defence. The jury, however, found her guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. She was told by the judge: “In killing the man you loved you ended his life and ruined your own.”
After serving nine years of her sentence, Jane escaped from East Sutton Park Prison in Kent. The former dresser was found in a hotel room with her family after three days. She was released from prison in August 2019 and has started a brand new life working for a charity-funded animal hospital.
(Image: ITV)
