Natalie Dormer will not promote the new drama about Sarah Ferguson’s former dresser, and has donated her entire fee to child-abuse charities following the emergence of a leaked 2011 email linking the Duchess of York to Jeffrey Epstein.
Ms Dormer, who plays Fergie in the four-part series from The Crown producer Left Bank Pictures, said new details about the Duchess’s dealings with Epstein made it “impossible for me to reconcile my values with Sarah Ferguson’s behaviour, which I believe is inexcusable.”
The actress said: “Since completing the project, new information has come to light that makes it impossible for me to reconcile my values with Sarah Ferguson’s behaviour, which I believe is inexcusable.
“For that reason, I will not be taking part in the promotion of the project.”
Sarah Ferguson series thrown into chaos after actress pulls out of promotion
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Ms Dormer continued to tell Variety: “In keeping with my commitment to the well-being of children, I have donated my entire salary from this project to the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) and the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse (hosted by Barnardo’s).”
She stressed her decision was “not a reflection” on Left Bank, praising the company as “an extraordinary company to collaborate with, and I’m grateful for the time we spent together.”
The leaked email, published recently, shows Fergie writing to Epstein: “You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family,” and saying she “humbly apologised” and knew he would feel “hellaciously let down by me.”
The message was sent two years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for sex offences and weeks after Sarah told an interviewer she would have “nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.”
Natalie Dormer is known for her starring roles in Game of Thrones and The Tudors
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ITV and BritBox’s forthcoming drama The Lady finished filming earlier this year and is set for release in late 2025 or early 2026.
The programme dramatises the life of Jane Andrews, a former royal dresser who worked for Fergie before being jailed for the 2001 murder of her boyfriend Thomas Cressman.
Mia McKenna-Bruce plays Ms Andrews, with Ed Speleers as Mr Cressman.
The Duchess of York has lost a string of charity patronages since the email became public, including with the Teenage Cancer Trust, the Children’s Literacy Charity and the British Heart Foundation.
A spokesman for the Duchess has said the email was sent after legal advice to counter a threat from Epstein to sue for defamation and insisted she continues to regret the association.
He said: “The Duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been her first thoughts are with his victims.
“Like many people, she was taken in by his lies. As soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations against him, she not only cut off contact but condemned him publicly, to the extent that he then threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia.
“She does not resile from anything she said then. This email was sent in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats.”