My Duchess is an upcoming British biographical drama film based on the later years of Wallis Simpson. It was directed by Mike Newell, and stars Joan Collins and Isabella Rossellini.
Contents
Premise
The film documents the later years in the life of Wallis Simpson.
Cast
Joan Collins as Wallis Simpson
Isabella Rossellini as Suzanne Blum
Buom Tihngang as Louis
Miranda Richardson as Lady Diana Mosley
Charles Dance as Lord Mountbatten
Laurent Lafitte as Jean-Claude de Montalbon
Yves Heck as Antoine
Roxane Duran as Marianna
Jill Baker as Lady Monckton
Lambert Wilson as General Georges Spillman
Philippe Spall as Dr. D'Ath
Richard Meek as Daisy
David Langham as Chou Chou
David Bamber as Sir Godfrey Morley
Production
The film is written by Louise Fennell and directed by Mike Newell. It is produced by John Gore, Richard Holmes and Francis Hopkinson for John Gore Studios. It was originally titled In Bed with the Duchess and The Bitter End.
The film charts the final years of Wallis Simpson, the American divorcee who became the Duchess of Windsor after marrying King Edward VIII, the British King who chose love over duty.
The cast features Joan Collins as Wallis Simpson and also includes Isabella Rossellini as Suzanne Blum, a French lawyer and confidante of Simpson. Speaking to The Guardian, Collins said she took the role at the age of 91 because it had "a very good script and it’s a great part for me. I've always been fascinated by Wallis, because I think she was unfairly treated".
Principal photography began in May 2025 in London and the South-East of England. That same month, Miranda Richardson, Charles Dance, Laurent Lafitte, Buom Tihngang, Yves Heck, Roxane Duran, Jill Baker, Lambert Wilson, Philippe Spall, Richard Meek, David Langham, and David Bamber joined the cast.
My Duchess is executive produced by Hilary Strong, Michael Foster and Percy Gibson. It also marks the first production to shoot on the historic stages of Ealing Studios following its recent expansion and renovation.