My Duchess (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

My Duchess is a 2026 drama about Wallis Simpson, the American woman whose marriage to King Edward VIII precipitated a constitutional crisis. Directed by Mike Newell and written by Louise Fennell, the 95-minute British film focuses on the later years of a figure connected to one of the monarchy’s most consequential ruptures.

My Duchess examines the final years of Wallis Simpson, whose marriage to King Edward VIII led to his abdication and changed the course of the British monarchy. The film places her at the center of a historical drama focused on the period after that defining relationship reshaped her public life.

Directed by Mike Newell from a screenplay by Louise Fennell, the film features Joan Collins as Wallis Simpson alongside an ensemble that includes Laurent Lafitte, Miranda Richardson, Isabella Rossellini, Charles Dance and Lambert Wilson.

My Duchess movie details

Story without spoilers

The film tells the story of Wallis Simpson in the final years of her life. Once known for her marriage to King Edward VIII, Simpson became associated with the break-up of the monarchy after the king gave up the throne. My Duchess focuses on that later chapter rather than presenting a general account of the British royal family.

The supplied synopsis identifies the historical premise but does not provide further plot details, specific events or character relationships beyond the central subject. The cast list indicates that the story includes figures such as Jean-Claude de Montalbon, Suzanne Blum, Lord Mountbatten, General Georges Spillman, Louis and Antoine.

What to expect

My Duchess is identified as a drama with a historical subject. Its premise points to a character-led account of Wallis Simpson’s later years and the continuing significance of her connection to Edward VIII. The story is set against a royal and political context, though the available information does not specify its individual events, tone or visual approach.

At 1 hour and 35 minutes, the film has a relatively compact running time for a historical drama. The ensemble cast suggests a broader supporting world around Joan Collins’s central role, but the supplied details do not indicate how much screen time each performer receives or how the film structures its narrative.

Cast and creative team

Joan Collins leads the cast as Wallis Simpson. Laurent Lafitte plays Jean-Claude de Montalbon, while Isabella Rossellini portrays Suzanne Blum. Charles Dance appears as Lord Mountbatten, and Lambert Wilson plays General Georges Spillman. Buom Tihngang is credited as Louis, and Yves Heck as Antoine. Miranda Richardson is also part of the cast, with no character listed in the supplied information.

Mike Newell directs My Duchess, from a screenplay by Louise Fennell.

• Joan Collins as Wallis Simpson
• Laurent Lafitte as Jean-Claude de Montalbon
• Miranda Richardson
• Isabella Rossellini as Suzanne Blum
• Charles Dance as Lord Mountbatten
• Buom Tihngang as Louis
• Yves Heck as Antoine
• Lambert Wilson as General Georges Spillman

Release and production context

My Duchess is listed as a United Kingdom production from John Gore Studios. It is in English and has a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. The supplied release date is October 28, 2026, and the film is listed as released. Its original title is also My Duchess.

Production companies: John Gore Studios

Movies Dock view

With its focus on Wallis Simpson’s final years, My Duchess takes up a well-defined chapter in modern British royal history. The available details establish a concise English-language drama led by Joan Collins and directed by Mike Newell, while leaving the film’s specific interpretation and narrative emphasis to the finished work.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb