Actress Natalie Dormer refuses to promote Sarah Ferguson drama series after Epstein email controversy

Actress Natalie Dormer is declining to promote the upcoming drama The Lady after controversy surrounding former duchess Sarah Ferguson and an email regarding Jeffrey Epstein resurfaced. Dormer, who portrays Ferguson in the ITV and BritBox series, said she has also decided to donate her salary from the project to charities assisting children who experienced abuse. "When I agreed to take the role in The Lady, I knew portraying the script’s Sarah Ferguson would require nuance. People are layered, their journeys are full of highs and lows, and as an actor, my job is to lean into those elements and bring them to life with honesty and empathy," Dormer said in a statement to Variety. "Since completing the project, new information has come to light that makes it impossible for me to reconcile my values with Sarah Ferguson’s behavior, which I believe is inexcusable. For that reason, I will not be taking part in the promotion of the project."

While the series centers on Ferguson’s life, the decision to step back from promotion comes as scrutiny over her associations has intensified since a 2011 interview in which she publicly denounced her friendship with Epstein. An alleged email accompanying Epstein’s communications described Ferguson addressing him as a "steadfast, generous and supreme friend." In the message, Ferguson reportedly wrote, "I know you feel hellaciously let down by me from what you were either told or read, and I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that," and added, "I was advised, in no uncertain terms, to have nothing to do with you and to not speak or email you and if I did I would cause more problems to you, [Prince Andrew] and myself," continuing that she was "instructed to act with the utmost speed if I would have any chance of holding on to my career as a children’s book author and a children’s philanthropist." A Ferguson representative said the email was sent after Epstein threatened to sue for defamation and that the message was part of advice aimed at protecting her career, per BBC reporting.

Following the weekend revelations, several charities paused or ended partnerships with Ferguson. Julia’s House, a children’s hospice organization, said it decided it would be inappropriate for her to continue as a patron. "Following the information shared this weekend on the Duchess of York's correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, Julia's House has taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue as a patron of the charity," a spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Sept. 22. "We have advised the Duchess of York of this decision and thank her for her past support." The Teenage Cancer Trust and Natasha Allergy Research Foundation also dropped Ferguson, along with Prevent Breast Cancer and others.

The Lady, a joint ITV and BritBox production, features Dormer as Ferguson and is expected to premiere in late 2025 or early 2026. The project has drawn renewed attention as networks and creators reassess collaborations with figures tied to controversial associations. Dormer’s stance underscores how performers and productions navigate shifting public sentiment when real-life events intersect with scripted storytelling. Consequently, the drama’s release window remains tentative, with the public watching closely for how the series handles sensitive material surrounding a high-profile royal figure.

Overall, the development highlights the ongoing conversation in Culture & Entertainment about accountability and artistic interpretation when real-world histories intersect with fictionalized portrayals. As The Lady moves toward its anticipated debut, industry observers will note whether Dormer’s decision to step back from promotional duties affects the marketing approach for the series, and how production companies respond to actors taking principled stands in response to newly surfaced information.