Wallis Simpson‘s life has always been controversial, but her final years brought a drama that few people know about. In The Bitter End, the legendary Joan Collins will play the Duchess of Windsor in a film that promises to explore the lesser-known side of this story—her seclusion, dementia, and the influence of lawyer Suzanne Blum, who controlled her life and assets.

With a script written by Louise Fennell and directed by Mike Newell, the production promises to reveal how Wallis went from a powerful woman to a completely isolated figure. Collins’ casting has already attracted attention, and expectations now revolve around the rest of the cast and the tone that the film will adopt.

Wallis Simpson: Villain or Victim of a Dark Story?

What else can we try to discuss about Wallis? The Duchess of Windsor, who lived in exile with her husband, was never openly accepted by the British royal family, and during the Second World War, rumors arose that she and her husband sympathized with Nazi Germany (photos with Hitler confirm the suspicions), which led to a greater deliberate distancing from the United Kingdom.

Wallis remained by Edward’s side as his wife from 1937 until he died in 1972. From then on, she lived in seclusion until she died in 1986, without ever ceasing to be a polarizing figure. Interestingly, director Mike Newell chose her for his next film and cast none other than the diva Joan Collins to play her, a curious choice, but in line with her age. Joan, who is retired, is 91 years old and Wallis died at 89: it’s perfect.

Only 3 years old when the scandal happened, Joan did not witness the drama, but she certainly grew up hearing about it. The film, originally titled In Bed With The Duchess, was renamed The Bitter End and marks the screenwriting debut of Louise Fennell, author of two novels about the downfall of hugely famous celebrities and mother of Oscar-winning writer and director Emerald Fennell.

The bitterness of Wallis’s final years is reflected in the fact that after her husband’s death, Wallis developed dementia, gradually losing the ability to speak and move and becoming dependent on caregivers for all daily activities. During this time, her life was tightly controlled by her lawyer and confidant, Suzanne Blum, who took control of her finances and restricted her contact with the outside world, leading to speculation about possible exploitation and neglect. Completely bedridden and reclusive, Wallis died in 1986, in total solitude.

The basis of the story for The Bitter End is fascinating precisely because it is supposed to show how Wallis ended up in the hands of the greedy Suzanne Blum, a figure who would make a great role for any actress, whoever Mike Newell casts. I particularly see Kristin Scott Thomas or Cate Blanchett as ideal.

The news that a director as successful as Newell would be interested in this story, landing a star like Collins, naturally made headlines, but work is still underway, and no one other than the actress has been announced in the cast yet. “I am thrilled by the challenge of playing this iconic woman in a story that has never been told,” Joan told reporters.

Who was Suzanne Blum?

The lawyer with a reputation as one of the toughest lawyers in France became famous for having worked on several controversial cases, such as representing Warner Brothers against Igor Stravinsky in a copyright case, converting the studio’s damages from $1 million to one franc. She was also Rita Hayworth‘s lawyer during her divorce from Prince Aly Khan, as well as for Charles Chaplin and other American studios. But it was her “friendship” with Wallis Simpson that brought her into the spotlight of history.

Suzanne only entered the scene after the death of the Duke of Windsor in 1972, albeit discreetly. Originally, she was the wife of Edward VIII‘s legal representative in Paris, and that’s how she met Wallis Simpson. When the Duchess became ill and developed dementia, her only contact with the outside world was through Suzanne, and that’s when the nightmare began.

Claiming that in addition to being a lawyer, she was also a friend, Suzanne began to fire Wallis’s closest and most loyal staff, who doctors described as almost vegetable-like and needed to be fed with help. With full control of all the Windsors’ assets, Suzanne positioned herself as the defender of their memory, threatening any biographers or filmmakers who tried to retell the romance.

However, when she revealed that she had the love letters between the Duke and Duchess, this “protection” proved flexible because she published the couple’s intimate communications, profiting from the royalties.

Worst of all, even though she was challenged to provide proof that she had a power of attorney to act for Wallis, Suzanne never showed that she had such a document. She published practically everything that the Duchess had that was most personal and sold her jewelry and paintings. Contradicting the doctors, she claimed that Wallis was lucid until the last days of her life, something that was never proven because Suzanne barred access to strangers. Yes, it sounds exactly like What Happened to Baby Jane, only it is true.

Suzanne Blum did not attend the Duchess of Windsor’s funeral in the United Kingdom and held a smaller ceremony in Paris in honor of Wallis. Already almost eighty years old and nearly blind, Suzanne also withdrew from public life soon after. Unsurprisingly, throughout the entire time, the lawyer maintained a secondary career writing crime fiction, signing as LS Karen. Apparently, she knew a lot about crime…

A story of power, manipulation, and mystery

What makes this narrative even more intriguing is the figure of Suzanne Blum, whose relationship with Wallis raises questions about abuse and exploitation. The film itself could follow different paths: will it show Wallis as a victim or will it reaffirm her reputation as a manipulator?

With the film announced in February 2025 and still in pre-production, the film has a very lively Joan Collins. “You see Wallis first when she’s full of energy and has her young acolytes around her, then, little by little, she’s destroyed by circumstances,” the actress told reporters. “It’s a very good script and it’s a great role for me. I’ve always been fascinated by Wallis because I think she was treated unfairly,” she said.

The actress joins a long list of talents who have already brought Wallis Simpson to life on screen: from Faye Dunaway, and Jane Seymour to Eve Best (from House of the Dragon), with the most praised being Joely Richardson and Andrea Riseborough. But none of them are as legendary as Joan Collins.

Regardless of the approach, The Bitter End marks a new phase for Joan Collins, who, at 91, continues to surprise with challenging roles. Her take on Wallis – a woman wronged – adds an interesting layer to the project, which is sure to spark new discussions about one of the most controversial figures in British royalty.

Pesquisar

Pesquisar