| The Bitter End | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mike Newell |
| Screenplay by | Louise Fennell |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Mike Eley |
Production company | John Gore Studios |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Bitter End 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.
The film documents the later years in the life of Wallis Simpson. [1]
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. [2] It was originally titled as In Bed with the Duchess. [3]
The film charts the shocking untold story of 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. [4]
The cast features Joan Collins as Wallis Simpson and also includes Isabella Rossellini as Suzanne Blum, a French lawyer and confidante of Simpson. [5] Speaking to The Guardian , Collins said she took the role at the age of 91 years-old 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". [3]
Fennell’s screenplay explores the chilling true story of the deeply complex and sinister relationship between Blum and Simpson and how as a result Wallis’s once-glamorous life spiralled into terror and desperation in the last years of her life. [6]
Principal photography began in May 2025 in London and the South-East of England. [7] [8] In May 2025, 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. [9]
The Bitter End will be 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. [10]