Thursday, January 12, 2017

Victoria on PBS Masterpiece January 15

Do you love The Crown? Are you a fan of the royal family? Do you love historical period dramas? Then you'll really enjoy Victoria about Queen Victoria that premieres this Sunday night, January 15, on Masterpiece PBS.

Victoria: In 1837, a diminutive, neglected teenager is crowned Queen Victoria, navigates the scandal, corruption, and political intrigues of the Court, and soon rises to become the most powerful woman in the world. 

Victoria stars Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who) as Queen Victoria that follows the drama of the candid, spirited monarch who was perhaps the first woman to seem to have it all. Following Victoria from the time she becomes Queen through her passionate courtship and marriage to Prince Albert, the lavish premiere season of Victoria dramatizes the romance and reign of the girl behind the famous monarch.  

In addition to Jenna Coleman, the ensemble includes Rufus Sewell (The Man in the High Castle, Zen, The Pillars of the Earth) as Lord Melbourne, her first prime minister and intimate friend and Tom Hughes (Page Eight, Dancing on the Edge) as her husband Prince Albert.

There are 7 episodes (the first viewing is two parts), and I binged. I was lucky to see the season in advance. Great holiday viewing. There will be a second season. This ITV production has been a huge success in the U.K., as I'm sure it will be here in the U.S.  I'm so glad they've begun filming the second season because this first season ended somewhat abruptly. Still if you're a fan of the monarchy, you'll enjoy all the pomp and circumstance, plus great acting and costuming!

Once you've watched this series, or perhaps in advance, you might want to view the 2001 historical TV serial Victoria & Albert, starring Victoria Hamilton, Jonathan Firth, James Callis, Peter Ustinov, Dianna Rigg, and more of your favorite British actors.

Still can't get enough period drama? Check out the following shows streaming on Netflix and Hulu.


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