The Lady Drama Criticised for Insensitive Portrayal of Sarah Ferguson and Crime
The Lady, ITV's new four-part drama, has sparked controversy for its handling of a real-life murder case involving former royal aide Jane Andrews. Starring Natalie Dormer as Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, the series attempts to blend royal soap opera with a grim police procedural, but critics argue it utterly fails to read the room.
A Disjointed and Gaudy Mess
The drama opens with a disclaimer noting it is "inspired by a true story", with characters and events created or merged for dramatic purposes. This language, reminiscent of a school project, sets a troubling tone for a series that delves into the brutal murder committed by Andrews in 2000. Despite being produced by Left Bank Pictures, known for The Crown, and written by Debbie O'Malley of All Creatures Great and Small fame, The Lady quickly descends into what reviewers call a "gaudy mess".
Within 16 minutes of the first episode, Ferguson bursts into Andrews' job interview at Buckingham Palace, wearing a polka-dot frock and making light-hearted jokes about Grimsby. This moment, critics say, shatters any hope for a sensitive depiction of the complex events leading to the murder. The series clomps awkwardly between royal soap, police drama, period piece, and domestic turmoil, lacking coherence or grace.
Overshadowed by Ferguson's Character
Natalie Dormer's portrayal of Sarah Ferguson casts a long shadow over the narrative, making it difficult to take the serious elements seriously. Scenes of Ferguson shouting "olé" while trying on hats or bonding with Andrews over chiffon bows detract from the darker themes. Meanwhile, Mia McKenna-Bruce plays Jane Andrews as an ambitious but fragile woman burying mental health issues in pursuit of the high life, amidst shopping montages and champagne receptions.
Threaded through this froth is the police investigation into Andrews' murder of Thomas Cressman, a former stockbroker. DCI Jim Dickie, played by Philip Glenister, harrumphs through the crime scene, but the tonal shifts between reality and royal fantasy are jarring. Brief flashes of a subtler drama emerge in scenes with Andrews' mother, yet they are drowned out by the series' exuberant and often insensitive approach.
Failure to Address Real-Life Sensitivities
The drama's timing is particularly problematic, given recent revelations about Ferguson's involvement with Jeffrey Epstein. Dormer has announced she will donate her fee to charity, but this does little to mitigate the show's failure to handle the subject matter with care. Critics argue that The Lady turns a horribly bleak and upsetting real-life crime into mere entertainment, asking if we have had enough of such exploitative portrayals.
Ultimately, for all its regal bells and whistles, the series is seen as another example of television sensationalising tragedy without offering depth or sensitivity. It airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX, but viewers hoping for a thoughtful exploration may be left disappointed.
