Movies

I Produced a TV Show About My Fascist Great-Grandfather—Here’s What I Discovered

BBG News

Viewers of BritBox’s latest historical drama, Outrageous, may do a doubletake when they see “Mosley” during the ending credits. Yes, that’s right – it’s Matthew Mosley, one of the producers, who happens to be related to the Mosleys. In fact, he is the great-grandson of Sir Oswald Mosley, the founder of the British Union of Fascists and infamous for being part of England’s most detested pair, depicted in the show by Joshua Sasse.

Matthew is the great-grandson of Oswald Mosley, who married Lady Cynthia Curzon first, but had affairs with both her younger sister and their stepmother, as well as (married at the time) Diana Mitford. He eventually wed Diana after Cynthia’s death in 1933. Hitler was a guest at their wedding. Mosley and his wife were considered a threat to national security by MI5 and spent three years imprisoned because of it, before leaving the country in disgrace.

In a surprising twist, instead of keeping quiet about his infamous last name like many might do, Matthew Mosley – head of development at Firebird Pictures – is choosing to share his family’s less-than-comfortable history publicly. One might wonder why he doesn’t hide his grandpa’s controversial political views, or if there are any positive traits to find in this distasteful relative. And what’s it like for Mosley to live under the shadow of the most disliked figure in the country? As “Outrageous” premieres in the US, London-based Matthew Mosley opens up about his family’s scandalous past.

TIME: First things first, you are indeed a Mosley. Walk me through the family tree?

Speaking of family lineage, I should clarify that my great-grandfather is indeed Oswald Mosley, but it’s through his first wife, Cynthia, not directly or through Diana Mitford, that our familial connection exists. Oswald Mosley fathered three children with Cynthia – Vivien, Michael, and Nicholas. My grandfather was one of them, named Shaun.

Do you remember learning who your great-grandfather was and what he did? 

Unlike some families who were confronted with hidden truths at a specific moment, our family has always been open about certain matters, including aspects related to my great-grandfather. However, his influence has cast a long shadow over us in many ways, making it something we’ve all had to grapple with throughout the years. Being a descendant of someone not admired by many is a challenge that each of us must face and accept. While some families can trace their lineage to remarkable individuals, mine isn’t one of them. Over time, we’ve learned to embrace this reality and move forward.

Does his legacy feel like ancient history or does it feel very close? 

From one perspective, it seems as though Oswald Mosley’s era is long past – after all, he had passed away before I was born. Growing up, my life bore little resemblance to his, with his grand country estates being a world apart from my own experiences. Discovering him through history feels somewhat like encountering an alien civilization. Yet, his influence on my life has been undeniable. In school, when we studied the Second World War, my teacher tactfully skipped over that section. By college, people would often inquire about our possible relation. I’ve always been open about our connection because it’s crucial to acknowledge past events and their ongoing implications. While I’ve never struggled with this link, I believe others find it intriguing rather than troublesome.

Is there anything to be admired about England’s one-time most hated man? 

One of England’s greatest historical accolades lies in standing on the side of justice during wartime. However, my great-grandfather did not share this honor. He was associated with a woman who was widely despised in England, often referred to as Diana, which likely made him the country’s most disliked figure. Yet, in his younger years, he was a respected politician, characterized by idealism, intelligence, and eloquence. The pursuit of power, it seems, clouded his judgment and led him to support actions that were questionable at best. There was a certain rigidity and unwillingness to admit error within him, even when it was evident he may have been wrong.

How does one possibly end up producing a show about one’s own family? 

The intriguing venture of Sarah Williams, long fascinated by this tale, was her passion project. Though I had some knowledge about the story, mostly from Mosley’s perspective, Sarah possesses a comprehensive understanding of each Mitford sister’s various aspects. Unbeknownst to Sarah at the time, she pitched the show to my superior who disclosed, “There happens to be someone here who is related.” I quickly joined the project not long after that revelation. Initially, it felt unusual as my great-grandfather plays a significant role in the series, a role I hadn’t foreseen myself being connected with.

Did you ever jump in to consult on the character? 

Instead of deliberately not doing something, it was a conscious choice for me not to delve deeply into the research, given my role as a producer juggling multiple aspects such as costumes, props, set design, and scheduling to bring the show to life. Occasionally, I’d step onto the set and find Joshua Sasse in character as my great-grandfather, and it was a humbling moment to realize this was part of my family history. The experience was quite surreal, considering the circumstances. However, it turned out that Sarah and Joshua had conducted significantly more research than I did. The actors’ dedication to their research was remarkable; Joshua even compiled an impressive scrapbook filled with photographs and newspaper articles. As I watched him share his findings with me, I discovered things about my family history I wasn’t aware of, which made me realize that I too was learning alongside everyone else.

What did you learn about your great-grandfather that you didn’t know before? 

Reading about someone in a textbook or newspaper only gives a basic understanding, but actors breathe life into characters by using numerous physical gestures to depict their personalities. For instance, Diana would subtly blink her eyes slowly when unpleasant comments were made around her, as if denying the reality of the situation. Joshua discovered images of Oswald Mosley rehearsing his speeches and modeled his own physical postures after those used by my great-grandfather to deliver his messages effectively. Joshua also shared a letter from Mosley’s mother with me that compared him to the Messiah, offering an intriguing glimpse into his mindset that I won’t easily forget.

Not all of our grandpas are Sir Oswald Mosley, but lots of us have people in our family with not-so-PC pasts and opinions. Should we be talking about this more?

As a fervent admirer, I can’t stress enough the significance of candor and sincerity. Each one of us carries unique psychological landscapes shaped by our personal life journeys. Even those with beliefs that may seem abhorrent to many have arrived at their positions due to their distinct experiences within society. To truly grasp this intricate human tapestry, engagement and recognition are essential. In essence, this series serves as a poignant historical cautionary tale, especially for characters delving into extreme right-wing politics, reminding me of my great-grandfather’s past. We must ask ourselves the questions: How and why do individuals traverse these ominous political paths? Because history has shown us that such occurrences are not isolated incidents but recurring patterns.

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2025-06-26 00:06

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