Victoria returns to ITV Choice
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Editor
| 22 August 2017

Following what it says were record ratings along with critical acclaim, ITV Choice is to present the second series of Mammoth Screen-produced historical drama, Victoria.

Written by creator and executive producer, Daisy Goodwin, the brand new eight-part season will see Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes reprise their roles as Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Resuming a month after the first series ended, the new season establishes Victoria as a working mother, learning to balance her responsibilities as both parent and Queen. However, Prince Albert is still struggling to find a role for himself alongside his powerful wife as she returns to her duties, intent on proving that she can be both a mother and dutiful Queen.

ITV’s lavish and rather unexpectedly huge hit Victoria was recommended for a second series by the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster in October 2016.

The new series will the arrival of new cast members including BAFTA award-winning actress Dame Diana Rigg joining the regular cast as the Duchess of Buccleuch, the young Queen’s new Mistress of the Robes, in addition to guest appearances from actors including Emerald Fennell (Call The Midwife, Any Human Heart), Martin Compston (Line Of Duty, In Plain Sight), Bruno Wolkowitch (Spin, Cain) and Denis Lawson (New Tricks, Marchlands).

“In series one Victoria married the handsome prince, but in this series, she and Albert get down to the serious business of living happily, sometimes stormily, ever after,” remarked creator Daisy Goodwin. “Victoria is the only Queen Regent to marry and give birth while on the throne and the challenges of being head of state as well as a wife and mother are legion. In many ways, Victoria’s dilemma is a modern one - how do you have a successful marriage and a happy family when you are holding down an important job. Can you really have it all?”

Executive producer and Mammoth Screen managing director Damien Timmer added: “Series one of Victoria was a big success both at home and abroad, and it is a privilege to continue to tell the story of this fascinating woman at a particularly interesting point in her reign. Audiences will be intrigued by the meticulously researched stories Daisy has planned, brimming with scandal, romance and tragedy. At the centre of it is a beautifully nuanced study of a young marriage, and it’s a joy to watch Jenna and Tom find new layers to this iconic couple.”

In addition to being on the UK free to air service, the broadcaster’s ITV Choice subsidiary will exclusively broadcast the series return across Asia and the Middle East.