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, 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.
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.
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
