The story of the Duchess of York’s former aide and convicted murderer, Jane Andrews, has been commissioned as a four-part drama from Left Bank Pictures. Entitled The Lady, it has been ordered by ITV, with BritBox International as co-commissioners and production partners.
Based upon true events surrounding Andrews’ story, the partly fictionalised drama will be written by Debbie O’Malley (Payback, Humans, Harlots).
The series will air on ITV1 and STV and stream on ITVX and STV Player in the UK and BritBox in North America.
Florence Haddon-Cave (Everything Now, Quiz, The Crown) will produce the series while Executive Producers for Left Bank Pictures are Creative Director, Sian McWilliams, CEO Andy Harries and Rebecca Hodgson.
Robert Schildhouse, Jess O’Riordan and Stephen Nye executive produce on behalf of BritBox International.
Lee Haven Jones (The Feast, Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, Passenger) will direct the series.
The Lady charts the rise and fall of former royal dresser Jane Andrews, whose rags to riches fairy tale fell apart when she was convicted of murder.
Once a young working-class girl from Grimsby, Jane answered an advertisement in the magazine The Lady and to the astonishment of her friends and family, became the Duchess of York’s dresser at Buckingham Palace.
Moving amongst the highest social circles in Britain, 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 fell deeply in love.
Soon cracks began to develop in the romance Jane had pinned all her hopes on, with disastrous consequences.
Set in Grimsby and London, The Lady will commence filming during the early part of 2025 with news of casting and key production personnel announced closer to the date.
Sony Pictures Television will distribute The Lady internationally.
Helen Ziegler will oversee production on behalf of ITV and ITVX.
Commented Helen Ziegler: “Debbie’s compelling and brilliant scripts re-evaluate what we think we know of Jane Andrews and the events that led to the tragic end of Thomas Cressman’s life.”
Commented Robert Schildhouse President, BritBox North America and General Manager, BritBox International: “Inspired by true events, The Lady is a riveting exploration of ambition, desire, and the pursuit of social mobility. With a brilliant script penned by Debbie O’Malley, and with the creative partnership of Left Bank Pictures and ITV, we are intent on portraying this true crime drama with nuance and depth. We know the universal themes of power, class, and belonging will resonate with audiences everywhere.”
Commented writer Debbie O’Malley: “When Jane Andrews was tried for the murder of Thomas Cressman in 2001 it made headlines around the world. But behind those headlines, lay a much more complex, painful and thought-provoking story – an exploration of female ambition and human frailty and a devastating chain of events that ended in the taking of a man’s life. And this story, tied up with our national preoccupation with class and our ongoing obsession with the Royal family, feels every bit as relevant now as it did twenty years ago.”
Commented Sian McWilliams, Creative Director at Left Bank Pictures: “Bold and complex storytelling is at the heart of what we do at Left Bank Pictures. Debbie’s beautifully nuanced scripts deftly explore the tragic series of events that led to the murder of Thomas Cressman and pose the question – who is the real Jane Andrews?”
Pippa Considine
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