Mistresses with Jameela Jamil & Dr Kate Lister

by Jameela Jamil, Kate Lister, Katie Kennedy (Narrator)

From the bedrooms of powerful men, we’re bringing you the secret histories of their mistresses, concubines and courtesans.

In this funny, fascinating, and scandal-filled podcast, Jameela Jamil and historian Dr Kate Lister pore over the stories of six astonishing “other women”. Women who have been shamed, disparaged and underestimated. Some have been cheated out of the history books altogether. Now Jameela and Kate are placing their stories in the spotlight – to see what history looks like through the eyes of the so-called side-chick.

Jameela and Kate are also joined by Katie Kennedy, aka The History Gossip, to drop some extra historical knowledge in her own inimitable way…

Prepare for a wild, gossip-fuelled ride through real history – sex, scandal, murder, betrayal, poisoning, witchcraft and much more.

Ep 1: Madame de Montespan

Follow the rise and fall of King Louis XIV’s gilded era through the eyes of his outrageous maîtresse-en-titre (“official” mistress), Madame de Montespan. Quick, cunning and oh-so-extra, Montespan would stop at nothing to get to the top – including (if rumours are to be believed) poisoning any love rivals that got in her way.

Ep 2: Virginia Hill

Virginia Hill may be remembered as a “bit on the side” for mobster Bugsy Siegel – but her story is SO much bigger than that. We reveal how Virginia hustled her way into the heart of the Chicago mob, earning herself the nickname “the female Al Capone” and ending up on the run as the USA's most wanted.

Ep 3: Wu Zhao

The unbelievable story of a 7th-century concubine who elevated herself to become the first and only female Emperor of China. We chart Wu Zhao’s journey as she climbs the ranks of the royal harem, manipulates and murders her rivals, and leapfrogs over four of her own sons to ascend the Dragon Throne.

Ep 4: Marita Lorenz

A tangled web of life-and-death espionage, beginning in Cuba with a mission to poison her lover, Fidel Castro, and ending in Dallas on the eve of the JFK assassination. But how many of Marita Lorenz’s stories can we believe? We share all the dramatic details of a life lived in the shadows and debate why Marita’s words have so often been called into question.

Ep 5: Malintzin

A look at the controversial legacy of an enslaved Mesoamerican woman who changed the course of history when she became a translator for Spanish colonisers. We dive into the records that have been left behind about her life and analyse her so-called affair with famed conquistador Hernando Cortés.

Ep 6: Mary Boleyn

Before Anne Boleyn, there was Mary. And her scandalous affair with King Henry VIII offers a whole new perspective on “divorced, beheaded, died”. We dig into the story of the hidden Boleyn sister, including how she got caught up in a scandalous rumour that would come to define her reputation for centuries.

CONTAINS ADULT LANGUAGE AND THEMES

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published June 19, 2025

Reviews

[Nigel]

Weird book 📕, calling of mistresses killing there partners. I don’t think I want to finish…. It’s sort of my balance of my mamma Mia repetitive watch a couple times a year and then to this mistresses book 📕….. women are mean 😢 not only women but they guys if these women are mean 😢.
Not a happy story.

You read of king Louis having mistresses and having an Eppstein list of people in his kingdom and burning them at the steak.
Some of the people were some of his best friends… then I’ll watching fb vids of king Louis having a dildo in his royal chair 🪑 idk why I’m saying this but it’s the what’s on my feed… on fb… half the reason I want off it.

We saw how well that went for king Louis,

Actually it’s quite sad that people live like this…..

Weird book 📕 finished about 1/2 way through….

It hard to think if this was out of this book or the sex scandal book I read just before this…. I keep jumping books for distractions…

Sort of got crippling anxiety the last couple days.

So maybe some happy music or a happy musical is needed. Time to turn on mamma Mia 1 or 2

Just make the negative or apophantic sophomoric problems in my youth feel less like blaming me…

Although I’m half way through this book 📕

I might pick it up later again,
I think it was free on audible.

[Jane Higginson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Dr Kate Lister and Jameela Jamil separately but more so together! Great pairing! These two brought historical figures, some I didn't know, to life and made them real and relatable, loved this series and would love more of it please!

[Alannah Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a smart, sharp listen with a feminist edge and a healthy dose of humour. Jameela Jamil and Dr Kate Lister make a great team — their chemistry keeps things lively while exploring the fascinating (and often scandalous) lives of women history tried to forget.

The mix of storytelling and discussion works really well, though at times it leans a bit more towards entertainment than deep analysis. Still, it’s incredibly engaging, and I learned quite a bit without it ever feeling like hard work.

Perfect if you’re looking for something quick, punchy, and thought-provoking with a modern voice.

[Lady TBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

When history calls women “mistresses,” you know there’s more to the story… and these ladies are finally getting the mic. 💋📜

Dear Readers,
Filing today: Mistresses by Jameela Jamil and Dr. Kate Lister — a hilarious, feminist, and tea-spilling deep dive into the forgotten women who shaped history from the shadows.

This is technically more podcast than audiobook, but honestly, that’s half the charm. It’s everything I love in nonfiction: history, drama, and unapologetically powerful women. Jameela and Kate spill the tea with such charisma that I found myself smiling, laughing, and shaking my head in equal measure. Beyond the banter, though, it’s meaningful. It’s a reclamation of voices dismissed by patriarchy and a reminder of how much power women have always held, even when denied it. It’s short, sharp, and deeply satisfying. If you’ve got even a drop of feminism in your bloodstream, give this a listen.

Rating: ⭐️ 4.8 / 5
Spice: 🌶️ 2 / 5 (topic-based, not descriptive)

Until the next chapter,
Lady TBR 💌

💋 Feminist Nonfiction
🎧 Podcast-Style Audiobook
📜 Women in History
🔥 Scandal & Power
✨ Smart & Sassy Listen

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved the wit of these women, sharing histories (herstories) about women often left out of their own narrative. I laughed alongside them and enjoyed their quips about what might have actually happened compared to the usual tales we are told. I listened to this entire series in one day and hope there is more of it to come!

[Emma Dargue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good podcast style audiobook. Really liked the concept about how women's roles as concubines/mistresses shaped their lives and how their lives were changed by the men's lives they were part of whether voluntarily or not. It also highlights the power imbalance was impactful to the quality of the womens lives.

[Zen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Just brilliant. Historical, hilarious and so so interesting. Extremely well structured and produced to keep the listener engaged and interested. I also loved the amount of obscure British references used by Katie, the context/gossip correspondent. I will be listening to this again for sure. Couldn't recommend it more.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable podcast about a few women who society and the history books written by men, deemed BADDIES!!
- Madame de Montespan
- Virginia Hill
- Wu Zhao
- Marita Lorenz
- Malintzin
- Mary Boleyn

I want more, please.

[Sage Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. It was a great way to dig into the past. I really enjoyed learning about mistresses from ones i have heard of to new ones I hadnt. If you like learning about different parts of history and not just the boring parts this is a great book

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun to have a different historical tilt on some women. yeah. bring it on. And how bloody tragic it is that THE SAME OLD insults show up - saggy vagina? ffs… people.

These infotainment things are great!

4 stars

[Ann Bickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Katie Kennedy portions are especially hilarious 😂

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Sad it was finished so soon. Would love more of these! No notes.

[Macey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible

[Bookfairy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romp through history, and taking a closer look at some influential women who have had rumors thrown around about their good (or not so good) names.

[Donna Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an informative , witty approach to a delicate topic. Well researched and delivered

[Jessica Smut Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to get some great history in your day in a fun way

[Anastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to learn some facts while also hearing some entertaining commentary. Be warned - adult content and language.

[Chloe Sun · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Daphne Clausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great storytelling with great stories. Would definitely recommend.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Audible audio about famous mistresses was both enlightening and humorous. I highly recommend this audiobook (6-episode podcast).

[Evonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully done research and even better portrayal of the stories of these women!

[Dianalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I might need to relisten to this since I liked it but felt like it was missing something.