ITV’s hit historical drama, Victoria, will return for a second series in the autumn.
Filmed on location in Yorkshire, the series is once again written by creator and executive producer, Daisy Goodwin.
Resuming one month after the first series ended, the second outing sees Jenna Coleman reprise her role as Queen Victoria, as she learns to be both a parent and Queen.
“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. Victoria is the only Queen Regnant 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,” explained Goodwin.
“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?”
Dame Diana Rigg will join the regular cast as the Duchess of Bucchleuch, the young Queen’s new Mistress of the Robes, there will be guest appearances from 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).
The 8 part series and 2-hour Christmas special was commissioned by ITV head of drama, Polly Hill. Directors are Lisa James Larsson (Striking Out), Geoffrey Sax (Tipping The Velvet), Jim Loach (Oranges And Sunshine) and Daniel O’Hara (The Game).
“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,” added Damien Timmer, executive producer and managing director of Mammoth Screen.
“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.”
The first series was ITV’s highest rating drama of 2016, with a 29% share and consolidated average of 7.7m. It has since been sold to 350 territories worldwide and in the US it reached an average audience of 6.3m – more than Downton Abbey’s first series.
