Lillie

1 9 7 8 (UK)
13 x 50 minute episodes

The story of controversial Edwardian beauty Lillie Langtry (Francesca Annis) – who became the first publicly acknowledged mistress of Bertie, Prince of Wales (Denis Lill) – was documented in this 13-part series from London Weekend Television, created by David Butler who shared the scriptwriting with John Gorrie.

Fleeing the gentility of the Channel Islands – where she was born Emily Le Breton, the daughter of the Dean of Jersey – Lillie perfected the art of the courtesan and took her place at the highest tables in the land. So swift was her rise to Royal favourite that she had won Bertie’s heart before the pampered clique of society beauties could close ranks and exclude her.

She did it with her red-gold hair, her natural beauty, her single-minded determination, and her little black dress.

Realising at a young age that to fulfil her dreams she must leave Jersey, she married Edward Langtry (Anton Rodgers), an older widower from a wealthy family who owned a fleet of yachts. Not only was he dashing, he had his own transport!

She became the toast of London society, first as a model for English artists like Millais (Basil Hoskins) and Whistler (Don Fellows) and then – at the insistence of Oscar Wilde (Peter Egan) who was quite a fan of hers – as an actress.

She eventually drew the attention of the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII.

When, at last, she faced humiliation and ruin, Lillie confounded them all yet again and went on to make – and lose – several fortunes and manipulate a legion of lovers without losing either her wit or her daring.

Emily “Lillie” Langtry
Francesca Annis
Dominique
Catherine Feller
Mrs Le Breton
Peggy Ann Wood
Edward Langtry
Anton Rodgers
Prince of Wales (Bertie)
Denis Lill
Oscar Wilde
Peter Egan
Patsy Cornwallis-West
Jennie Linden
Frank Miles
Brian Deacon
Dean Le Breton
Patrick Holt
Francis Knollys
John Barcroft
Princess Alexandra
Ann Firbank
JM Whistler
Don Fellows
Clement Le Breton
Adam Bareham
Arthur Jones
David Gwillim
Moreton Frewen
Phillip York
Lord Suffield
Edgar Wreford
Prince Louis of Battenberg
John Castle
Hugo de Bathe
James Warwick
JE Millais
Basil Hoskins
Sir Allen Young
Alex Scott
George Lewis
Vernon Dobtcheff
Mrs Wheeler
Joanna Wake
Lady Dudley
Wanda Moore
Sally
Debbie Farrington
Charlotte Knollys
Sheila Mitchell
Henrietta Labouchere
Annette Crosbie
Prince Esterhazy
John Justin
Squire Abington
Nicholas Jones
Freddie Gebhard
Michael Shannon
Jeanne Marie
Joanna David
King Leopold
Derek Smith
Reggie Le Breton
Simon Fisher-Turner
Prince Leopold
David Dixon
Lady De Gray
Penelope Lee
Ian Malcolm
Paul Gregory
Bury Dasent
Garrick Hagon
Lord Ranelagh
Edward Dentith
Sidney Grundy
David King
King George V
Keith Varnier
Lady Suffield
Maggie Bates
Lord Carrington
Anthony Ainley
CJ Freake
John Bryans
Edward Michael
David Allister
Lord Alfred Douglas
Simon Shepherd
Beverly
Robert Hartley
Robert Peel
Christopher Bramwell
Ellen Terry
Elizabeth Power
Lord Rosslyn
John Humphry
Princess May
Jill Simcox
Lady Wharncliffe
Yvonne Manners
Queen Victoria
Sheila Reid