By: Mariah Thomas
Period pieces are typically a hit or miss, but “Outrageous” knocks it out of the park. The miniseries follows the lives of six aristocratic sisters who refuse to play by the rules. In fact, the frequently scandalous lives they lived often made headlines. Within their sisterhood, there are subplots of their bond, betrayals, love and politics. As a viewer, you are dropped into the story and quickly pick up on all of the different dynamics that exist between family members. “Outrageous,” to me, is “Bridgerton” meets Little Women. The core of the story here is sisterhood and how different that is between each sister.
“Outrageous” is based on the Mary S. Lovell biography The Mitford Girls. It unravels the lives of six wealthy sisters – Nancy (Bessie Carter), Diana (Joanna Vanderham), Jessica (Zoe Brough), Unity (Shannon Watson), Pamela (Isobel Jesper Jones) and Deborah (Orla Hill) – living vastly different lives. With their wealth comes many eyes on them and public opinion which sways the views on the family. They bicker like sisters do but also have a deeper power and force that most don’t. With that power sometimes comes betrayals and scandals. Their parents are often left at a crossroads at what to do to control the family image if they cannot control the girls.
What I enjoyed most about “Outrageous” was the lavish lifestyle you are brought into. Each sister is so defined and individual that it is established immediately. It takes elements from all of my favorite period films or shows and shakes them together to create something new. Each of the lead actors also felt so fitting and believable to the 1930s in which it is set.
Joss Agnew and Ellie Heydon tackle directing the series with their respective episodes. Being important figures as they are the daughters of a Baron, there is such depth felt in each scene. When they are at a public gathering or party, you can see and feel their importance the very second that anyone of them walks into the room. Great directing is when you can discover something like that without having to be told.
Historical period pieces are typically loved and or hated. It boils down to a matter of preference. “Outrageous” does a wonderful job at establishing its story outside of the genre, making it a great show regardless. It is something I would recommend for lovers of British period television and projects like “Bridgerton” and The Great Gatsby. It is fun in the same way while being so different in the best ways.