The Bitter End centres on the final years of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor

A six-week shoot gets underway in London and the south-east this week (w/c 5 May) on The Bitter End (working title), starring Joan Collins and Isabella Rossellini.

Mike Newell is in the director’s chair, calling the shots from a screenplay by novelist Louise Fennell.

The story centres on the twilight years of Wallis Simpson (played by Collins), the American divorcee who became the Duchess of Windsor on her marriage to Edward VIII, leading to his abdication.

Rossellini plays Suzanne Blum, a French lawyer who was said to have exerted control over Simpson while acting as confidante and looking after the Duchess’ assets, following the death of the Duke.

The film is from John Gore Studios; Richard Holmes, John Gore and Francis Hopkinson produce. The executive producers are Hilary Strong, Michael Foster and Percy Gibson.

“Joan Collins – Monte-Carlo Television Festival”, image credit Frantogian, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.