Drama Series Portrays Joanna Vanderham as the Unpopular Diana Mosley, Known as the Most Villainous Woman in England, Showcasing the Captivating Lives of the Mitford Sisters
Upcoming nuptials for actress Joanna Vanderham are garnering attention, as she becomes engaged to Ben Hudson—better known as the songwriter and music producer, Mr Hudson. His hits include chart-topping collaborations with Kanye West, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, and John Legend.
Discussing their wedding plans, Vanderham remarks, "We're debating whether to have a showbiz wedding or maintain a low-key affair, inviting our immediate family and dearest friends. Ben's leaning more towards a lavish event, while I'm envisioning a simpler ceremony with family and close friends."
Set in the Cotswolds, the summer celebrations promise to cap an extraordinary year for the 34-year-old Scots-born actress, who has graced television screens since her teenage years, starring in shows such as BBC's The Paradise and ITVX's Crime. She has also earned critical acclaim for her impressive stage appearances, including portraying Desdemona in Othello and Lady Anne in Richard III.
The most anticipated drama of the season is Joanna Vanderham's portrayal of Lady Diana Mosley in Outrageous, a six-part series that follows the tumultuous lives of the Mitford sisters. Originally penned by Mary S Lovell, the series documents their political leanings, scandals, and controversial friendships with notable figures like Adolf Hitler. Joanna plays the role of sister three, Diana, who left her first husband, Bryan Guinness, for Sir Oswald Mosley, the leader of the British Union of Fascists. The wedding took place in the Berlin home of Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels, with Hitler present as a guest of honor.
Following the conclusion of filming, Joanna shares that she found it challenging to separate herself from the character. "I had to shed Diana in a profound way," she explains. "I visited my little sister in Sardinia and learned scuba diving to help me feel detached from her—certain lines of hers were particularly difficult for me to deliver."
Outrageous offers a chilling portrayal of the Mitfords and the rise of the far right in Europe, leaving viewers with a sense of eerie contemporary relevance. Joanna believes the series serves as a cautionary tale: "Anyone could be radicalized, and it's important to understand how that happens."
Graceful and intelligent, Joanna is a fascinating subject in interviews, exuding an air of mischief and charm. Her fashion choices showcase an eclectic yet refined style for high-profile events like Wimbledon, prompting questions about her perspective on fashion trends.
The daughter of a Dutch businessman and vascular medicine professor from the University of Dundee, Joanna was raised with her siblings in the small town of Scone, Perthshire. Growing up, she attended National Youth Theatre camps in London, where she made friends with future star Ed Sheeran. Although they've drifted apart over the years, Joanna humorously recalls his impressive talent during their friendship.
Joanna felt pressure to succeed from her high-achieving family, who were worried that she might struggle in her acting career. However, after earning her leading role in The Runaway at the age of 17, she secured an International Emmy Awards nomination and put any doubts to rest.
In her new role as Diana Mitford, Joanna delves into the complexities of the character, exploring her motivations and exploring the moral ambiguity of her choices. Regarding the question of whether Diana genuinely espoused her vile views or did so only to please her lover, Joanna offers wide-ranged possibilities, stating that Diana "became infatuated with power and saw what was happening in Germany and thought, 'I can have some of that.'"
The first season of Outrageous provides an engrossing glimpse into the Mitfords' lives and the rise of the far-right, leaving viewers eagerly awaiting a second season—one that will delve deeper into the events leading up to the outbreak of the Second World War, as the Mosleys faced internment for their Nazi sympathies.
As she awaits news of the potential second season, Joanna continues writing plays and producing projects, while also planning her upcoming wedding, having been engaged for two years. Although she notes that Ben, a primary songwriter and producer, is something of a "groomzilla," Joanna remains unruffled and playful, expressing her happiness as a fiancée and looking forward to their future together.
- Joanna Vanderham's engagement to music producer Mr Hudson, known for his collaborations with notable celebrities, has brought scrutiny to their forthcoming wedding plans, as they contemplate a showbiz wedding or a low-key affair.
- Stemming from her impressive acting career disparaging on mystery and historical shows, Joanna Vanderham is also a subject of interest in fashion and lifestyle discussions, with her distinctive style at high-profile events generating dialogue about her perspective on fashion trends.
- In the anticipation for the upcoming wedding of Joanna Vanderham and Ben Hudson, she will navigate through the complexities of the Mitfords' political leanings and the resonance of the past in the contemporary world, as seen in her captivating portrayal of Diana Mitford in the series Outrageous.
