She made her name as the scheming Alexis Carrington in Dynasty.
And now at the age of 91, Dame Joan Collins is taking on an even more controversial character: Wallis Simpson.
The Hollywood actress has been unveiled as the star of a new biopic on the American divorcee who became the Duchess of Windsor after marrying King Edward VIII, the British King who chose love over duty, in the shocking untold story of her final years.
тιтled The Bitter End, it will be the debut project of new film studio founded by award winning entertainment producer John Gore, a 22-time Tony winner, as well as a recipient of two Emmys and two Oliviers.
In May, the ageless star will be celebrating her 92nd birthday, but Dame Joan won’t have time to party, as she begins filming the new feature film.
Dame Joan said: ‘I am thrilled about the challenge of playing this iconic woman in a previously untold story and to be in John Gore Studios’ initial roster of what I’m sure will be a very successful endeavour.’
Dame Joan Collins is taking on an even more controversial character: Wallis Simpson in a new biopic The Bitter End
Joan made her name as the scheming Alexis Carrington in Dynasty (pictured in 1981)
The five-time married British actress has graced screens for more than seven decades and is considered one of the last surviving actors from Hollywood’s golden age.
Meanwhile as an American divorcee who seduced a British royal, Wallis Simpson has been dubbed the original Meghan Markle.
Simpson was at the center of the most scandalous love affair of the 20th century when she entered into a relationship and marriage with Prince Edward VIII, Prince of Wales and heir to the throne.
His obsession with Wallis subjected her to a brutal character ᴀssᴀssination. She was called a temptress and sorceress who had cast a spell on the fairy-tale Prince to become Queen.
In 1936, King Charles’s great-uncle Edward VIII’s chose to abdicate the throne to marry her.
The move clashed with his responsibilities as head of the Church of England – sparking a consтιтutional crisis which left the nation stunned and began a rift within the family that never healed.
The couple went into exile in France at Villa Windsor, a 14-room Parisian townhouse, where they received guests including British fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley and his wife Diana.
The Duke had hoped his exile would be brief but he was never allowed to move back to Britain, with his brother the new King George VI threatening to cut off his allowance if he tried to return without an invitation.
As an American divorcee who seduced a British royal, Mrs Simpson has been dubbed the original Meghan Markle
In 1936, King Charles’s great-uncle Edward VIII’s choice to abdicate the throne to marry her
Wallis seen in 1936 posing with her Cartier emerald engagement ring and a diamond and sapphire bracelet that was a gift from Edward
Edward VIII giving his abdication broadcast to the nation and the Empire, December 11, 1936
The abdication notice signed by Edward VIII at his Fort Belvedere home. His brothers Albert, Henry and George also signed the document
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Edward’s health deteriorated in the 1960s and towards the end of 1971, the Duke – a heavy smoker – was diagnosed with throat cancer.
Netflix’s The Crown depicted how, in May 1972 – ten days before his death – Edward was visited by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
She spoke to him alone before appearing with just the Duchess for a pH๏τograph. Edward died on May 28, less than a month before his 78th birthday.
It was only after death that the tension in the family seemed to dissipate and Edward’s body was returned to Britain, where it lay in state at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel before his funeral.
Wallis died in 1986 aged 89 after years of frailty and suffering from dementia which led to her living as a recluse.
The Royal Family allowed her to rest next to her late husband on Windsor’s grounds.
