Filming has begun in Yorkshire on the third series of ITV’s historical drama Victoria.
Laurence Fox (Lewis) and Kate Fleetwood (Harlots) have joined the cast alongside Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who), who reprises her role as the young Queen, alongside Tom Hughes (Paula) as Prince Albert.
Victoria is produced by leading drama indie Mammoth Screen as a co-production with MASTERPIECE, and created by writer and producer Daisy Goodwin.
Fox will play charismatic and wayward Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston, whilst Tony and Olivier Award nominee Fleetwood will play Victoria’s mysterious sister Feodora, who makes an unexpected return into the Queen’s life.
In addition, actor and comedian John Sessions (The Loch) will also star as Prime Minister John Russell, whilst Lily Travers (Kingsman) will play the Duchess of Monmouth. Nicholas Audsley (The White Princess), David Burnett (The Mummy) and Emily Forbes (Endeavour) also join the cast as new characters.
Starting in 1848, the third instalment of the lavish drama will depict a turbulent and uncertain time for both Europe and the monarchy. With revolutions on the continent and the Chartist movement reaching its peak in London, Victoria is under pressure from the government to leave London for her own safety.
Creator Daisy Goodwin said: “Victoria and Albert are the most famous couple of the nineteenth century, but underneath the united facade, their relationship is at breaking point and it is a struggle for mastery that neither side can win.”
The first series of Victoria was ITV’s highest rating drama of 2016, with the second run attracting a consolidated average of 6.4 million viewers and a 25% share.
It was the first tenant to take up residency at the Yorkshire Studios, and has also filmed at locations including Ripon Cathedral, Harewood House and Bramham Park.
It has also been hugely popular in the US, with the second series reaching an average audience of 5.2m viewers on PBS.
The eight-part series has been commissioned by ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill, and production is being overseen by Senior Drama Commissioner Victoria Fea for ITV. It is being executive produced by Damien Timmer, Kate McKerrell and Daisy Goodwin for Mammoth Screen, and Rebecca Eaton for MASTERPIECE. The series will be produced by David Boulter (Dickensian) and Geoff Sax (Tipping The Velvet) will direct the first block.
Victoria is distributed by ITV Studios Global Entertainment and has been sold to 189 countries worldwide.
