The Outrageous finale premieres on BritBox today, bringing to a close one of the streaming service’s best offerings. Striking the perfect balance between laugh out loud comedy and bittersweet drama, this series is the delightful antithesis of the period piece.

For those who have yet to discover it: Outrageous tells the surprising true story of the Mitford sisters, who as the title indicates, stirred up plenty of controversy in the 1930s. The series is written by Sarah Williams (Becoming Jane) and based on Mary Lovell’s book The Mitford Sisters, which might lead viewers to believe they’re getting one more of the countless historical dramas that often seem to be cut from the same mold. But this show isn’t just a retelling of another story from the past. It has far more personality that drives it forward from beginning to end.

That personality comes from its cast. Bessie Carter should earn some awards recognition for her leading role as Nancy Mitford. Her performance shows the different layers of Nancy, as she goes beyond witty quips to also be vulnerable and conflicted. The “strong female character” archetype in film and television has often become too simplified down to someone who’s tough and brassy, and while Nancy is no shrinking violet, Carter always keeps the character’s vulnerability just under the surface. Williams’ choice to make Nancy the narrator works in the show’s favor, too, because Carter’s voiceovers are charmingly spot-on.

But Carter isn’t the only impressive star in Outrageous. Joanna Vanderham, best known for her work in Crime and the Cinemax series Warrior, goes in the completely opposite direction as Diana Mitford. Vanderham has a lot to take on, as Diana was well-known for her involvement in fascism and her closeness to Adolf Hitler. This could potentially turn the audience against the character, but Vanderham likewise does a great job of making Diana feel like a three-dimensional person, not simplified down to one aspect of her personality. This isn’t the first time Diana has been portrayed on TV (she was also a major character in Peaky Blinders Season 6), but it’s the best.

It’s also lovely to see James Purefoy as the Mitford family patriarch David Freeman-Mitford. He plays more of a supporting role, but any time he can tap into his underrated comedic skills is welcome. And after Purefoy was so underused in FX’s thriller The Veil last year, it’s wonderful to watch him in a part that better supports his range of talent. Something that Outrageous does that many other shows wouldn’t is that it doesn’t push the men in the story to the side. While the Mitford sisters are clearly front and center, their father and their loved ones are not just props in their adventures. Williams avoids the pitfall of some historical dramas, which tend to zero in on a title character or one or two main players, and barely sketch out the rest. This truly feels like a group effort, both in the script and amongst the cast.

Outrageous is wickedly funny, but it also doesn’t skate over or undercut serious issues like fascism or economic struggle. At the same time, Williams smartly keeps the series from turning into melodrama when it does have to get real. It’s very rare to find a show that can hit so many notes effectively, and at just six episodes, this is the perfect binge-watch for anyone who loves British TV.

All six episodes of Outrageous are now streaming on BritBox. Photo and video credit: Courtesy of BritBox.

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