With its premiere set very soon, OUTRAGEOUS is generating serious buzz. And how could it not? With a title like that, a 1930s setting, a cast led by the magnetic Bessie Carter, and a story full of family scandal, ideological clashes, and rebellious women, this miniseries has all the ingredients to become your next obsession. But if you’ve seen the trailer, you’re probably wondering if the show is based on a book. Ready?
Here we go!
Who Were the Mitford Sisters?
The answer to that question is a resounding yes, and the book behind it is an absolute gem of biographical writing. OUTRAGEOUS is based on Mary S. Lovell’s definitive biography “The Mitford Girls.” And if you’ve never heard of the Mitfords… buckle up. Because few real-life families have had a story as dramatic, polarizing, and completely addictive as theirs.
The Mitfords weren’t just any upper-class British family. They were cultural icons, political firebrands, celebrated writers, controversial figures—and, above all, six women who broke every rule society tried to place on them. Set against the backdrop of Europe in the 1930s and 40s, OUTRAGEOUS follows this group of sisters through one of the most turbulent eras in modern history. What makes their story so gripping is how radically different each of them turned out to be.
Nancy Mitford became a beloved novelist and journalist, known for her satirical wit and sharp takes on upper-class life. Jessica Mitford turned her back on her privileged upbringing, embraced communism, moved to the U.S., and became a fierce civil rights activist and investigative journalist.
Unity Mitford,, was a fervent admirer of the devil and even formed a personal friendship with him. Diana Mitford was aligned with fascism and married British fascist leader Oswald Mosley. Deborah Mitford became Duchess of Devonshire and transformed an aristocratic estate into a sustainable business. Pamela Mitford lived a more private life but was unconventional in her own quiet, unapologetic way.
The wildest part? Despite being raised in the same household, these women ended up on opposing sides of history—sometimes quite literally during World War II. This is a family saga like no other: full of love, conflict, ideology, and drama.
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The Book Behind the Series: “The Mitford Girls” by Mary S. Lovell
Published in 2001, The Mitford Girls (also known as The Sisters in the U.S.) is a meticulously researched yet grippingly written biography. Mary S. Lovell, best known for writing about fascinating women like Beryl Markham and Amelia Earhart, brings the Mitfords to life through letters, private diaries, interviews, and historical documents.
What sets the book apart is that it doesn’t just tell you what happened—it makes you understand why. It captures the nuance, contradictions, and raw emotion of a family whose members were shaped by—and often at odds with—the politics, class systems, and gender roles of their time.
If you fall in love with the series and want to know more about the real people behind the drama, this book is a must-read. And if you love biographies that feel like historical novels, this one will absolutely devour you.
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What Can We Expect from OUTRAGEOUS?
The series promises to portray the Mitford sisters as they truly were: bold, brilliant, complicated, deeply flawed, and unapologetically human. This isn’t about tidying up their story into a neat little period drama. This is about embracing the chaos, contradictions, and charisma that made them unforgettable.
With Bessie Carter front and center, and a creative team that’s clearly unafraid to dig deep, OUTRAGEOUS is shaping up to be a period drama with teeth and heart.
OUTRAGEOUS will premiere on June 18 exclusively on BritBox.
