Just as the latest series of Doctor Who was about to begin, it was announced that Jenna Coleman would be leaving her role as The Doctor’s adventurous assistant Clara to pursue a new challenge: playing Queen Victoria.
Now, the first image of Coleman in character has been released for the ITV drama, simply titled Victoria.
The eight-part series follows the early life of Queen Victoria as she ascended to the throne aged just 18 and began her 63-year reign.
It has also been announced that BAFTA-nominated actor Rufus Sewell has been cast as Lord Melbourne, Victoria’s first prime minister. The pair became close friends and were the subject of much rumour and gossip at the time.
Also set to appear in the series are Paul Rhys, Eve Myles, Adrian Schiller, Nigel Lindsay, and Alice Orr-Ewing.
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The drama is set to begin with a 90-minute special, and is to begin filming in the North of England this month. Doubtless, ITV will be hoping for another period drama hit once the current – and final – series of Downton Abbey draws to a close.
