The BBC has today released the first promotional picture of the up and coming period drama, The Scandalous Lady W.  The film is based on the life of Lady Seymour Worsley played by Natalie Dormer a woman who dared to leave her husband and elope with his best friend. Produced by Wall to Wall Media and directed by Sheree Folkson for BBC Two, the untold true story of Lady Worsley is brought to life by award-winning writer David Eldridge.

Eldridge based his screenplay on author Hallie Rubenhold’s book ‘Lady Worsley’s Whim’. The book is inspired by the full length oil painting of Lady Worsley that hangs in Harewood House in Yorkshire. She is depicted wearing a bright red riding habit.

Natalie Dormer plays Seymour Worsley, a passionate, courageous woman at the centre of a very public trial brought by her powerful husband Sir Richard Worsley, played by Shaun Evans (Endeavour, The Lost Weekend). As the drama unfolds, a woman’s worth and material value as one of her husband’s possessions are called into question. When Lady Worsley decides to leave her troubled marriage and elope with Captain George Bisset, played by Aneurin Barnard (Cilla, The White Queen), the truth doesn’t stay behind closed doors for long.

Kim Shillinglaw, Controller, BBC Two says: “It’s terrific to add The Woman in Red to BBC Two’s powerful tradition of creating factual dramas, from The Challenger to Wipers Times, which bring to life remarkable true stories. It is an almost unbelievable tale of a woman – Lady Seymour Worsley – whose audacity and risk-taking stood against the currents of her time, and I’m delighted to have attracted such strong talent both on and off screen to make it.”

Executive Producer for Wall to Wall Media, Eleanor Greene adds: “It’s a privilege to tell this incredible story for the BBC, about a truly brave woman who bucked convention to be with the man she loved. We are excited to have Sheree Folkson directing – and to be joined by such a stellar cast is testament to the vivacity of David Eldridge’s clever screenplay.”

Natalie Dormer who plays Lady Seymour Worsley says: “I am thrilled to be playing a woman who was so ahead of her time. Though our story is set in the 18th century, it challenges and explores the issues still fully relevant today of freedom and equality. To be home in London shooting with such a talented ensemble in front and behind the camera is a real treat.”

With thanks to BBC Media and BBC Pictures