The gripping ITV true crime drama The Lady has reached its dramatic conclusion, leaving viewers with questions about the fate of Jane Andrews, the former royal dresser whose life spiralled into a murder trial. The series, starring Natalie Dormer as Sarah Ferguson, delves into the shocking real-life case that captivated the nation.
What Happened to Jane Andrews in The Lady?
In the finale of The Lady, Jane Andrews, portrayed by Mia McKenna-Bruce, is found guilty of the murder of her boyfriend, Thomas Cressman, played by Ed Speleers. The drama depicts Andrews hitting Cressman with a cricket bat and fatally stabbing him at their London flat before fleeing the scene. She was later apprehended by police after several days on the run.
During the trial, Andrews claimed that Cressman had been abusive, alleging incidents such as pushing her down stairs and tying her to a bed to rape her. She testified that she acted in self-defence, attempting to fend him off but ultimately causing his death. Despite her claims, the court delivered a guilty verdict.
Life Sentence and Prison Scenes
Following the conviction, Jane Andrews is sentenced to life imprisonment. The show portrays her in prison, where she speaks with a psychiatrist who diagnoses her with Borderline Personality Disorder. This diagnosis adds a layer of complexity to her character, though it did not sway the appeal process in real life.
The four-part drama includes emotional moments, such as Andrews catching up with her parents over the phone during Christmas. Her mother expresses concerns about loneliness, but Andrews reassures her, mentioning a new pen pal. In the final scene, she is seen writing to this pen pal with a newspaper clipping titled "King of the Wing" on her desk, featuring a picture of a man.
Accuracy of The Lady's Ending
The Lady is largely accurate to the true events, but like many true crime dramas, it incorporates fictionalised elements for entertainment. For instance, a scene where Andrews faints outside the court and is taken to hospital is dramatised; in reality, she visited the hospital due to an emotional breakdown during the trial.
Additionally, the character Aleksandra, played by Ophelia Lovibond, is fictional, meaning Andrews did not stay with her in London during the trial. However, the core facts—such as Andrews' conviction, life sentence, and later release—remain true to history.
Post-Trial Events and the "King of the Wing" Mystery
The end credits reveal further details about Jane Andrews' life after the trial. In 2003, she appealed her conviction based on fresh psychiatric evidence, but the appeal was refused. Her claims of childhood sexual abuse were never proven. Andrews was released on licence in 2015 but was recalled to prison in 2018 following harassment allegations from a former boyfriend. No evidence supported these allegations, and she remained in prison until 2019.
The identity of the "King of the Wing" remains ambiguous in the drama, with no clear connection to US politics or a prison governor. The newspaper clipping shows the surname Affcott, but there is no record of Andrews corresponding with someone by that name. In reality, she had a pen pal named Mark Ellson, who was in prison for fraud and described her as "obsessive" and erratic.
Impact and Support Resources
The Lady highlights serious issues such as domestic abuse and mental health. If affected by these topics, support is available through organisations like the Samaritans in the UK at 116 123 or by visiting a local branch for confidential help.
The drama is available for streaming on ITVX, offering a compelling blend of fact and fiction that explores the complexities of crime, justice, and human behaviour.
